The morning call., 1894-01-02

Russia will have twenty-three vessels of
1900 tons building. and the English pro-
gramme of shipbuiding is much less eX-
teDsive- Hence the navy scare. This has
had the effect of stimulating the British To
fresh efforts. England began the competi-
ton by entering upon great increase,
and France and Russia have followed suit,
perhaps not cheerfully, but vigorously.
So the game will go on while resources
old ont and the taxpayers back IS not
positively broken. There are more fight
ing men and ships in the world to-day than
at any former epoch, and yet the world Is
at peace.
The weather in San Francisco on New
Years day had the smiles Of gratitude
from every body ere the sun sank. Such
showers of rain pumped down in the
night that in the morning the holiday
crowd looked forward to dismal recreation,
but as often happens in our climate the
sun soon broke through the cumull and
there was almost a clear sky in the alter
noon. 1t was chilly and invigorating out
in the park, or the Preside, or across the
bay. but the sun was genial and cheerful
and the streets soon dried up and afforded
good footing for pedestrians. Surely
enough of rain has fallen to delight the
farmers and let them go ahead with plow-
ing ard seeding. a fortnight or bright
weather and warm sunshine would prove
welcome change.
The venerable Colonel j. d. Stevenson
was born on the first day of the century.
and IN his ninety-fourth year he remarks
that only in the last twelve months has he
felt sickness in any notable degree. He
unfortunately was seized with the grip.
and that he survived such a sapplng
malady in old age is remarkable proof OF
his vitality. Although he has had many
vicissitudes. the Colonel has led a most
temperate life, avoiding all excuses. He
has never abused ntoXicants aid knows
not tobacco. Nevertheless, many men
have lived longer who drank liquor freely
aud who must have smoked tons OF to-
baccp.
The Manchester canal was opened yester-
day to traffic. If we except some of the
Holland canals, it is the most important
maritime work which capital has ventured
to. construct since the SueZ canal was COM
pleted. 1t has cost within S25 100000 OF
the sum which would complete the Nicar-
aqua canal, and yet it is only an approach
to an inland town. while the Nicaragua
project would form "a link between two
great oceans and save thousands OF miles
of navigation round the stormiest cape
known.
Harold Frederic. the London corresDon-
dent of the New York Times, is credited
with the authorship Of the first of two ar
ticles in the F0rtnightly on the Irish Par
liamentaTy party. in which some very in
teresting studies of character and political
AIMS are presented. The article undoubt-
eddy came from some one behind the
scenes and in timately acquainted with the
whole story of the home-rule movement
under Parnell. AS CORES pendent and au-
thor Mr.. Frederic has risen to great prom
nence.. He does not confne his pen to
English affairs, but ranges at will over
Europe.
The gold output on the Randi, in South
Africa, goes on augmenting. 1t rose to
138,G40 ounces in November, the highest
yield yet attained, and the total for the
year is 1882, 116 ounces. An average
amount for December would make the
total over 100000 ounces. which would
represent cash value of over S25.000,0O
What with gold in Colorado, of which one
mine Is said TO contain 500, 600. 900 in low
grade ore. the worlds supply is being aug
It'd o. dar