The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-16
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EDITORIAL NOTES.

In The naval eyolutiOns at Boston unique fea.
ture was The night attack of the naval militia
battalion ON the white squadron. There were
twenty-five or more boats manned by the militia,
the conditions OF the attack beng that If the
boats got within twenty-five feet OF a ship and
could burn a cOlOred light for twenty seconds
without being discovered by the search light,
they were TO be considered as having torpedoed
or captured he vessel Although the attacking
militia used much Skin and judgment IL their
mancuvers, the cruisers were able to keep
track of them with their powe rful search lights,
and al the close OF an hours fghiug during
which each gun on the cruisers was supposed to
have fired ten rounds, the battle awarded to
the finest squadron OF The new navy. The naval
battalion has greatly prohteI by the instruc-
tons given In ali the operations OF lie squadron,
and demonstrated that In times OF war it would
be valuable auxiliary TO The navy.
The balloon has just played prominent part
in the French naval maneuyeis. The French
were the first 10 develop this novel feature OF
army organization, and are now demonstrating
its value in naval operations. Admiral Rieunier
in an ascension in captive balloon near Touon
Sent his orders 10 terra tirma by means or a lele-
phone wire twisted around The cable that regu-
lated the altitude OF his aerial conveyance. The
cable was then made fast 10 a torpedo boat,
which steamed out into The open sea, and ON re-
turning, was shifted to Il wagon drawn by a
landing party. The commander OF the training
ship 81. Louis on subsequent occasion went
alOt and gave the necessary orders for working
his ship. The various experiments demonstrated
that 4 balloon could be Inflated aud used with
facility on board any vessel. ana would be OF
great advantage In watching an enemy's move
menIs aud directing The operations OF fleet.
In an article on High Explosives in War
fare" in The latest number of the Naval InstI.
tute Proceedings, Commander Barber states:
u lately had explained TO me the details OF a
system, which is certainly not impossible, for
damaging New York from lie sea by means Of
dynamite balloons. The inventor simply pro-
posed to take advantage OF the sea breeze which
blows toward New York every summer after
noon and evening. Without even coming in
sight of land he could locate his vessel in such
position that his balloons would float directly
over the city and let fall ton two Of dynamite
10y means Of el0ckwoIks attachment" Com
mander Barber further adds THAI there seems to
be no limit 10 the possibilities OF high explosives
wheu intelligently applied 10 the warfare Of the
future, and the advantage viii always be on the
side of the nation that is best prepared to use
them
The Posimaster-G eneral will shortly invite
proposals from steamship men under the postal
subsidy law, which likely to result in add
tional and faster trips and Inc establishment of
additional lines. While the primary object In
view IS 10 eNreulie the transportation OF mails
and pay American ana not foreign vessels for
carrying them, The law WAS designed TO give
some encouragement to our shipping interests
and 10 open new channels of trade.
The Irish Land Bill has passed the gantlet of
the House OF Lords, but cabegram intimates
that some OF the landowners in The upper house
had the impudence 10 insert clauses greatly in-
creasing The already sufficiently substantial adj
yantages concerted upon them by that measure.
The bin viii therefore have to be sent back to
the House OF Commons and the clauses referred
to VIII be fought tooth and nail.
The eighth plate glass factory In America,
with buildings covering five and half acres is
now being constructed at Irwin, Pa. Before the
industry was established in this country plate
glass cost 81 % square foot. American COM
petition under protection has reduced the price
TO 10 cents foot, aud improved the quality.
The new works will give employment 10 500
hands