The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-12


heads? They can scarcely avoid falling out
If it be true that Japan has seized upon the
Pelew Islands. which lie between the
CarOlines and Philippines. about $50 miles
east of the latter, and have always been
claimed by Spain by right of discovery in the
sixteenth century. The Mariana Islands, or
LadroneS, are also recognized as Spanish
possession. 1t is true that the Pelews have
never been effectively occupied save by the
natives. who cannot be very numerous on a
group containing only 1850 square miles. but
not long ago Germany tried to lay hold Of
them, and finally the conflicting claims
were referred to the arbitration Of the Pope
and decided in favor OF Spain. The most
southerlv Islands belonging TO japan are
the Ryukyu Group, lying to the east of For
mosa, which is IN the possession Of China.
Japan might easily be a match for Spain at
sea, but excert for naval coRl;ng-statiOn
purposes the Islands are not worth fighting
about. There is. however, the further
question OF what Japan might do next.
Postal matter Intended for Mexico or
Canada is only charged the domestic postal
rates imposed in the United States, and both
Canada and Mexico only pay their own do
nestle postage for delivery within the United
States. This is most convenient method
of getting round the arbitrariness Of the
Postal Union treaties. But the Mexican
WHO pays ~ CENTS PEI IeAlSE III HIS OWL
country doubtless grumbles when he re-
ceives a letter from this country bearing
only 2-cent stamp for the ounce or frae-
tion thereof and postal cards cent, with
very generous terms for newspapers. In
teTloT postage In Mexico is 10 cents per let
ter. II is now proposed to lower it to
cents. Any extension OF postage facilities
stimulates the commerce OF a country. Ii is
quite time some arrangement similar to that
with Mexico and Canada was carried out
Nat fbfa and tho Eurnnaap
countries. as well as with the West Indies,
Central America and South America. Great
Britain Will soon have a uniform colonial
postage.
The hundred thousand or more of the
privileged who are to enter the Chicago
Fair with passes are to have their photo
graphs on the cards. This is an effective
check upon fraud by transferring the
tickets, provided the holder does not
change his appearance. A visit to the bar
Der might so alter the personal aspect as to
raise dispute about Identity. Even ladies'
who don new boDneis every week, or other
wise suit the within OF fashion, may not he
themselves when studied IN their portraits
The signature of the holder, combined with
the photograph, should afford the required
evidence. But will there be time to submit
visitors to as much scrutiny as they would
undergo in custom-hoUse? 1t will never
do to block the gates and worry people.
There will be quite enough Of tribuation in
the average Chicago restaurant when the
bill comes to be paid, and ths waiter o0ks
daggers at his share OF the plumber.
The travels of the Webb family in Cali
fornia are luxurious illustration Of gypsying
in the manner of millionaires. Not William
of Germany nor the Gar Of Russia has an
equipment of special cars on a scale so lavish
and extravaGant for personal comfort As
DR.. Webb is connected with the Wagner
Car Company. he has possibly also an eye
to business in thus advertising the magnif-
cence of Its palaces on wheels. 1t has now
become branch of business 10 supply pri-
vate railroad cars to the wealthy, who keep
them in readiness for journey at any time,
just as they would maintain yacht or a
carriage. All the railway magnates uss
their own cars: SO do many bankers and
merchants. Mrs. Mackav, although long
absent from California, arrived this week
in private car, which must have been laid
up IN seeusion for n con siderable period.
Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales
have private cars not only in England but
on the continent of Europe. DR.. Webb's
party are about as comfortable as they
would be in a hotel. His children even
attend school on wheels. and doubtless pick
up geography fast by the way.
A huge locomotive which weighs sixty
tons, independently OF the tender, has been
sent from the north Of England to the Chi
cago exhibition. 1t is on quite new plan.
with two pairs of driving wheels, Z feet 6
inches in diameter, separately worked and
four cylinders, one pair being inside and
the pair behind outside. The latter have a
very long piston stroke. By novel design
the boiler has great capacity, and the fire
box is unusually spacious. The engineer
controls the working partly with the assist
ance of engine power. A LOCOMOTIVES with
four cylinders is certainly an experiment
In case oil one set breaking down the other
would keep up fair speed. But ii is not so
important TO give locomotives this advantage
as TO give steamers double shafts and pro-
pellers.
A shepherd is supposed TO be able to tell
his sheep by their pbysiognomy. The aver
age observer can hardly tell one from the
other in given breed. They are all of
flock. Very few persons not very familiar
with the Chinese can tell one from the
other. They dress much alike and have
common cast of feature not impressively
varied unless scrutiniZed carefully. The
photograph in registration would have been
a great help toward Identification, and it is
quite certain that without it there will be
much deception.
A frightful accident in Wales coliery is
reported. 1t is one of the explosions of
gas familiar in that region, notwith-
standing the precautions enforced by by
laws and legislative regulations. No fewer
than 800 workmen we're below at the time,
ana the mine Is either on fire near the shaft
or the roads are choked with carbonic acid