The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-02

speed too low, so as to make the earning
Oh premium too easy. For instance, II
vessel were to run three or four knots an
hour faster than the calculation there must
be something loose about the estimate,
but where one or two knots are gained it
may reasonably follow that the increased
speed IS due to superior wOrkmanshlp and
care. 1t is in the efficient workmanship
that the department has its reward as we'll
as in the greater speed. All the vessels
turned out in San Francisco have done re-
markably we'll and have not their equal.
class for class, IN the naves OF other coun-
tries. Premiums are unknown In England
and there is no stimulus to the builder
to do his best. Hence many ships turn
out badly.
The Ordnance-factory at Washington is
described by Secretary Herbert as capable
OF producing as excellent weapons as any
gun-factory in Europe. He wisely pro-
tests against the 100-ton guns placed on
board some European ships. They are
much too heavy for the practical arma-
ment OF even the largest battle-shps.
Smaller guns of so or 60 tons should not be
exceeded, and even these are not so useful
as guns half their weight and capable of
being fired rapidly. In one matter there
should be no mistake in our new navy.
Killed muZzle-loading guns should be con-
very superior that vessel OF war would
have little chance in fight If only armed
with muZZle-lo aders. Quick-firing weapons
would make short work Of the crew while
loading. 1t is good policy to keep the factory
at Washington well in advance Of require
ments, for ship which has to wait for its
guns or has to mount useless ones Is hardly
efficient. In the production OF powder this
country is also triumphant A high COM
plimeDt is paid the California Powder
Com pany Of Santa Cruz.
Foreign navies are getting up speed on
their smaller vessels. The new gunboat
Havoek OF the English navy is $50 feet
long. and WAS built by Messrs. Yarrow.
In full speed trial of several hours this
boat made twenty-six knots an hour so
very easily that it is thought she may
have knot or so in reserve. A number of
these vessels are being built by Messrs.
Thorneycroft as we'll as the Yarrows, and
they are said to be intent upon gaining a
speed of twenty-seven knots or over thirty
one land miles per hour. The merits lie
good deal in the type Of boilers, for
which these builders are famous. In the
German navy there are four torpedo
boats of twenty-six knots, and Russia has
several which are equal to twenty-five
knots. As fighting craft these vessels are
not despicable. They carry tOrpedoes and
Quick-hriDg twelve and six FOUNDER guns,
but their main design is TO destroy other
torpedo craft.
A writer points out curious result of
the difference between the population of
france and Germany. The one is almost
stationary and the other augments fast.
Between 1872 and 1880 the average of male
children born in France was 4S4, 4S9 annu-
ally, and between 1881 and 1889 the yearly
average fell to 46S, 7S4. But in Germany
during the first mentioned period the male
orth rate averaged S74, 056 annually, and
during the second period it was 8S6, 677.
Germany had thus an immense gain in
accessions to the army If the utmost is
made OF her recruiting from the whole
male population. France has already
reached her maximum, while that of Ger
many advances each year. and besides she
mas younger population to draw upon,
man Tor man. Ten years more will wit
ness very marked disparity between the
hghtlng strength of the two countries.
The electric boats which rendered such
admirable service on Lake Michigan dur
ing the Chicago exhibition are now 20 be
placed on the lagoons of Venice. and the
picturesque gondolier will have 10 modify
himself TO suit the circumstances IN the
race of survival of the fittest. With all
his charms of song and humor, the gon-
doller Is doomed when he has to compete
against launch propelled by electricity
from aceumulatOrs under the seats with a
speed OF sixteen knots per hour and ac-
commodations for thirty persons. The
launch may not be so romantic but il is
not smoky, is well-nigh noiseless and far
more comfortable than the gondola. The
gondoler can still be hired TO sing.
Professor Garner has returned to civil
ization from West Africa with materials
for dictionary of monkey language He
passed fourteen months In daily confab
with various species of anthropoids and
their next of kin and seems at least TO
have been on speaking acquaintance with
them. He lived in steel cage 1O1 days
right in the forest. where he could observe
and be safe. Two chimpaDZees have beer
brought to Europe. and with these the
professor is on very friendly terms.
Russia is buying up some Of the great
railways in the European part of her ter
ritory. not with view to any special
assistance to commerce. but principally
for strategic reasons. The expenditure
involved is probably not less than hun
dred millions. She is also at work on the
Siberian railroad, for which recently
cargo of steel rails was conveyed up the
Yeuesei. The Siberian project would open
up great tracts of country and no small
portion of it is fertile. Russia is consid-
cred very straitened for money, but in
national undertakings she is always a sur
prise.
The Carlin party. with the exception of
one member. is in safety at Kendrick, Ida
no. Terrible hardships were endured by
the expedition, and the wonder is that any
are alive to tell the tale. One poor fellow,
the cook, had to be abandoned, but there
was the certainty that he could not live
more than a few days, aud all would have
persisted had they remained by his side.
The adventures of the party make their
hunting very dearly bought sport. The
unexpected happened in severity of
weather.
The Brazilian news shifts about like
quicksand. the alleged facts OF to-day be-
ing contradicted by those tomorrow.
Had both sides unrestrained command Of
cable-wires the reports would be utterly
astounding. The situation as now re-
ported seems to be that De Mello has left
Rio in search of the NictherOy and other