The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-07

The voting on the reorganization scheme
OF the Nicaragua canal is favorable, and
the agreement becomes operative immedi-
ately. This is so far we'll for progress
and a continuance Of the company. but it
unfortunately means very little for prompt
actual work on the undertaking. Without
the Endorsement and aid of Congress the
canal cannot be made. Congress will not
allow the project to pass into private
ownership, and assuredly not into foreign
ownership. 1t is therefore plainly the
straight duty of Congress TO back the en-
terprlse and to see that the work is done
well. All the subterfuges and dllly-
dallying raised by plotteTs in the interest
of the railroad companies should be
brushed aside with contempt, but some
how action is on one pretext or another
paralyZed. Ii cannot be too earnestly or
frequently reiterated and dinned into the
ears of the community that the Nicaragua
canal won Id settle forever the questions
of transportation between the Pacific and
Atlantic seabOard. and that is why the
railroads dread it.
A scientific and social loss of some m o.
ment is about to be entailed upon San
Francisco by the departure of Mr.. T. S.
and Mrs. Catherine Brandegee for San
Diego, where they propose to reside per-
manently. Mrs. Brandegee's name as a
botanist stands very high on this coast and
in the United States. and her husband.
who is by profession an engineer, Is also
eminent in the knowledge of plants. es-
pecially those OF Lower California. which
he has exploited in repeated expeditions,
but by no means exhausted. The herbal
rum at the Academy of Sciences owes
much to their researches and collections.
1 fali ic ,ieir, IA
Tor the scientific explorer. and the Bran
degees at San Diego will have the advant-
age OF being little nearer the scene OF
operations. Only few months have
elapsed since they returned from the Cape
San Lucas region.
The German commercial treaty with
Russia is recommended by Emperor VIII
liam to the Reichstag with very much the
same persuasiveDess that the Spanish beg
gar employs in "Gil Bias" to secure con.
tributions from the charitable. The up
lifted musket as the stranger approached
was successful in unloosening the strings
of charity. The Emperor says that if the
treaty is not ratified there will be war
commercial hostilities at the outset and
probably physical fighting afterward. The
meaning OF the little speech Is that the
Emperor and his Chancellor are anxious
to cOnciliate Russia. which at this juncture
ia the most important thing to be done in
European politics. Without some agree
ment to prevent Russia from drifting far
Their apart from Germany and joining
hands closely with France the next war
from two sides. If Russia can play her
own game in the southeast corner of
Europe without breaking with Austria,
which is doubtful. her friendliness with
France would not count for much.
The situation at Rio is becoming quite
interesting, owing to the fresh move which
Da Cana has taken. The rebel admiral
has given otice of intention to lombard
Rio at the expiration of forty-eight hours,
and he expects all foreigners to clear ont
of the way or take the consequences. This
is somewhat cool procedure, especially
after Admiral Benham's action in protect
ing American vessels discharging cargoes.
Da Cana is not belligerent recognized by
the powers, and consequently any threat
TO blockade and seize neutral ships or him
der them in any way within the harbor
may be resented by the war vessels of the
flag affected. Were he recognized as a
belligerent he would have a standing to
overhaul neutral craft and uphold block
ade, put as Brazil is at peace with all for
eIgn powers Tue hdIDOr Is open TO COM
merce. Perhaps Da Cana has hopes that
he and his feet may be taken care of by
Admiral Benham. a surrender would
end the war.
According to special dispatch from
Washington to New York paper Presi-
dent Cleveland is employing an unworthy
argument to induce the opposition to his
nomination for the Supreme Bench to SUBJ
side. 1t Is that if Peckbam is rejected BY
the Senate ne will not nominate any one
else from New York. The Supreme Court
represents the whole country and not New
York State, and the theoretical fitness of a
candidate should be his high qualities as a
lawyer. not that his appointment should
please or displease certain State. Can
the story be true?
APOI1ND THE CODDInODc