New-York tribune., 1896-02-02
(BY CABLE TO THE rRIBUNE.l ]
Copyright: 1895: BY The Tribune Assoetatson.y

right question is the protest from France against
the adoption Of the Canadian act Of 1889. or any
compromise based upon the manufacturing
clause. Various unions representing authors.
publishers, booksellers, music dealers. artists.
photographers and engravers, have formed
syndicate in Paris for the protection Of INTEL
lectual property This syndicate, with ten power.
full bodies Of literary and artistic workmen be-
hind It, has prepared remonstrance against
any compromise Of the principle OF the Berne
Convention. This protest has been submitted 10
the French Foreign Office, and has been virtually
adopted by it. Copies Of 1t have been sent to
every Government which accepted the Berne Con.
ven,ion The French Minister filed copy with
the British Foreign Office this week. The pro-
test has also been sent to the headquarters OF
the International Copyright Office at Berne, tho
expenses of which betrayed by the Govern
ments which accepted the convention. and arc
responsible for its enforcement
The memorial is prepared with great care ana
is a we-written and forcbe document. The
French societies object strenuously to the adop-
ton of the manufacturing clause by Canada,
and contend that the compromise suggested by
Mr. Hall Cane, like the act Of 1889 is contrary TO
the spirit of the Berne Convention Their argu-
ment. which apparently has been accepted by
the French Foreign Office its own, shuts cut
from the Berne Convention any country or de-
pendency which retains the manufacturing
clause. This protest, consequently, may have
the effect Of excluding Canada from the circle OF
the Berne Convention, II the Dominion Parlia-
ment adopts the amended act with the restric-
tions imposed by Mr.. Gaines compromise. In
deed. no compromise which is grounded upon the
manufacturing clause, whatever may be the safe
guards for authors rights. can be satisfactory
oil They
view that Canada mus: either remain as at
present In the Berne circle. be excluded from
IT, like the United States; but 1t cannot stay
inside and have the benefit OF absolute protec-
ton Of its right in literary property ana. at the
same time protect Its printers.
Mr. Henry Kleinau, the London representative
Of the Paris house Of Hachette & Co. when
copy OF this protest shown TO him, ex-
pressed the opinion that 1t was logical ana
convincing document. and that the French MIN
lister of Foreign Affairs could not fail to be
influenced by the powerful associations wnicn
FssVbp6afs4 ~ Hes also sssur,ss thar s!e.'.
authors publishers and artists would adopt siIni-
| lar views and exclude Canada from the Berns
Convention II it should introduce the manufact'
urlng clause in any form. Canada with thar
clause retained. would lie outside the conven'
ton like the United states. but with the I'M
portant difference that il would not have a great
market at horne for which large editions could
proftaby be printed Dr. Moncure ID. Conway.
AZ the meeting OF the Authors Society this Week.
announced that he represented 800 American
authors, and r their name denounced the act OK
1891 passed by Congress. as blot on American
law and the deathknell of American literature
He then proceeded t. explain how this system OK
legalized piracy. "a he described the present
copyright system OF he United States damaged
everybody except popular authors
Mr. Hall Caine entered a vigorous protes,
against Dr. Conway's assault upon the act o,
1891. He declared ;hat it was almost universal
feeling among American authors that the Copy
tight act was a good measure and vas work.
ing well He justified the action Of American
authors in accepting that act and remarked that
he would regard with great alarm any EFFORT on
their part 10 reopen the controversy at the pres
ent iunctura This passage at arms excited much
interest II was strange TO hear an American
author denouncing the Copyright law Of his own
country and an English author warmly defend
ing It on the ground that half loaf was better
than no bread
The alliarce between Russia and Turkey 10
an open secret Of European diplomacy. Re-
peatel denials fail to break the force OF the
main fact Of Russian supremacy in Constanti-
I
understand each other. even if they have not
made a formal treaty. The commonest remark
now heard in London is that thunderstorm Is
coming from the Eastern quarter and that 1t
will clear the air The air seems clear enough
as vet The rumOred alliance is currently be-
eved in. but 1t causes excitement. Indeed.
ii has become evident during the last ten days
that no resistance will be offered to Russian ag-
gresson so far England is concerned. 4
Russian advance into Armenia would not cause
a European war; 1t would be welcomed as q
practical solution of the question which Europe
has left unsettled. Optmsts even declare that
England would not oppose the Russian occupa-
ton Of Constant.nople. This is probably 100
sanguine a view, but the indifference OF the
English people to Russian ascendancy In rhe
Sultans councils and tie Cars future oper-
ations. is a remarkable fact that weighs heavily
| in the scales on the side Of European peace
A diplomat OF experience with good sources OK
information EXPLAINS the situation in this way:
..It has been a mistake to suppose that Engiind
was under special obligation 10 compel tho
Sultan to reform the administration OF iiis do
minions in Asia. Whatever obligation there
was under the treaty OF Berlin was shared oy
! the other great European Powers IL the cipio-
matte campaign last year was faiiure' IL "as
not through any fault OF England. II was Inc
| collapse OF European. not Engish o'p'o'"acy'
England in the Cyprus Convention covenan'ed 70
defend the Sultan's dominions. not absolutely
hut condltonally The agreement was ,ased
upon the adoption of reform measures In Ar
menia The conditions have not been fulfilled:
hence England is now released from her obllga-
,ion 70 resist the Russian advance In Asia Minor.
The Sultan has been warned that England Will
no longer protect him. He will have TO look
after his own interests If he throws himself Into
the arms Of the Car. The Cyprus Convention
has been cancelled by the continued misSovern-
ment Of Asiatic Turkey. Russia will assume the
obligation II new alliance be concluded. Of
bringing about the reforms which Europe has
been powerless to enforce. England Is Lot in
terested in preventing the extension of the Rus