The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-17
A FINANCIAL
UPHEAVAL.
The Furry in Europe Due to
RuSsia'S Policy.
DiplOmateS NOnpluSed at the Action Of the
United States in Regard to Italy.
The Copyright Law.
Special TO THE MORNING CALI.

NEW YORK, May 16.-Smalley's cable
Europe in general is preparing for a finan-
cial souall, and the Bank of England has
raised its rate to 5 per cent. Not little of
the disturbances on the European bourses
comes from Russia, where large balances
are held on demand. The Jew question
becomes daily more acute. Expulsions pro-
ceed in Russia in spite Of all assurances to
the contrary, and Corfu has suddenly at
tracted attention as the scene of disorder
and persecution. There have been riots and
murders, with what looks like the connivance
of the authorities. Strong European pressure
had to be brought to bear on the Govern
ment before it would do its duty Ships of
war of various nations are arriving.
Russia of course holds aloof. She could
hardly perse cute in Moscow and protect in
Corfu. The number Of Jews hunted out from
this half barbarous Moscovite kingdom ex-
ceedS $4,000 in its two chief cities So power
full are the Jews throughout Europe that
Russia will be surely made to expiate her
cruelty. Public opinion Is strongly against
her. Her new loan, though nUminally post
pOned, is really rejected; prosperity is
threatened; her financial future looks dark,
but her ruler gives no sign of leniency.
A CONUNDRUM.
The diplomatic world does not under
stand why the United States Government
keeps its Minister on the banks of the
Tiber after not merely the recall Of Baron
Fava, but after the Italian Secretary of
Legation in Washington has been directed
in published dispatch to confine himself
strictly TO the transaction of indispensable
routine business 1t is equivalent to saying
that Italy has broken off. so far as she can,
diplomatic intercourse with America, but
that America persists in keeping up diplo-
matte intercourse with Italy.
CLEyELAND's BUFFALO SPEECH.
We have been favored with verbatim re-
port by cable of one portion of Cleveland's
speech TO the Cleveland Democratic Asso-
citation of Buffalo. 1t has been read here
with JOY. The good free-traders, good anti
Repu blcans and anti Americans all find in
this speech something to delight them. So
does that large section of the English
public which likes tinkling rhetoric, mixed
metaphors, and the classic style of Jefferson
Brick.
The COPY RiGHI LAW
Lord Monks wells Copyright Bill which
be induced the Lords to read the second
time, is a bill to reduce the copyright chaos
to order There are now in force eighteen
acts of Parliament plus sundry ill-defned
common-law rights. Among the many
doubtful questions in the English copyright
law is the question whether an AmericaR,
in order to obtain an English copyright,
need be on English soil at the time Of publi-
cation. The best legal opinion is, Sir Fred
erick POllock's included, that he need not be.
Lord Monkswell urges that there is no in
stance in which copyright has been deemed
or held invalid for want Of resi-
dence. Monkswell therefore trusts "that
the President may deem that under the
present law the rights Of American citizens
are sufficiently Safeguarded, and will there
fore give his certificate, as the act requires,
that the EnglSh law satisfies that reciprocity
clause" This touching appeal deserves the
best attention of the Presidents advisers.
The question is not entirely one of law, but
of law and fact mixed. Although legal
opinion is divided on purely legal point.
the great prep0nderance is in favor of
MOnkswelPs contention. Unless, therefore,
some case can be cited in which English
copy right has been refused to an American
author for non-residence, it may well be
held that English reciprocity is, ii not tech
nically complete, practically sufficient.
WAITING FOR JULY.
The act authorizes the issue of the Presi-
dents proclaim tion when he is satisfied that
a foreign State grants American copyright
ION substantially the same basis as its own
citizens" This England undoubtedly does.
English authors are looking eagerly to july.
Many books ready for publication are adj
vertised as held over till July TO obtain
American copyright Our position will not
be a graceful one if the Executive withho!ds,
on technical grounds, what Congress has
granted OH considerations of morality and
public advantage. In a word, it will be
nothing less than scandal should the Ameri-
can Copyright Act fail to come into force
with reference to England next July.