The record-union., 1898-02-25
SACRAMENTO RECoRD-UN1oN a5

81 Lar DIS W0lSu vi Hloi duo S@iA-
goes, from us TO the Spaniard, the folly
of the act becomes well-nigh incred-
ible
Common sense dictated the policy of
holding the fleet together off the Tor
tugas, ready to strike hard and quick
at the first signal of fight. And the
best the wisdom of the Navy Depart
nlent could do was to expose one of the
most powerful of our ships 10 certain
destruction in case war broke out, and,
as it happened, to destruction in the
midst of peace. That is one of the
beautiful results of selecting the head
of the navy every four years from the
ranks of politicians who do not know a
battleship from bathtub.
OUR FRUITS IN GERMANY.
Redlands Facts: 1t is interesting
to note, that Immediately following the
restriction placed upon the Importation
of our fruits, fresh or dried, into Ger
| many, one of the largest houses n
Hamburg, has through its representa-
tives, purchased for future delivery,
during 1898, from California dried
fruits to the extent of 100000 worth,
the largest sale of California products
prunes, peaches, apricots and raisins.
Moreover, yesterdays dispatch con-
veys the information that "a letter has
been received from ex-United States
Consul Eugene German at Zurich,
stating that the European market
would be especially thrown open this
year for California fruits" Verify, the
leaven is working and most auspicious-
ly, it would seem, for our own State.
If the demand becomes universal, as
indications now point, German resrric-
tions Will be removed speedily and the
late incident will only serve as an ex-
tensive ad. for our Incompatible prod
ucts. The world moves and California
is well to the front.
SMALL OR LARGE SHIPS.
Los Angeles Times: We do not doubt
that smaller ships that can be more
easily maneuvered will be found the
more effective weapons, and that the
gigantic floating steel fortresses will
prove more than a dismal failure. With
the record of the little cheese box Mon
itor, which whipped the Merrimac 10 a
finish, before the navy as an examll lie,
it appears surprising that that type of
adopted, rather than the intricate and
complex vessels which have cost mill
lions of dollars to construct and equip,
without having proven their capacity
to remain afioat in time of stress
The Navy Department might we'll al
ford to go little slow before indulg-
ing in any more such experiments rs
it is possible the Maine has proven TO
be. The lives of American seamen are
too precious to be entrusted to the steel
traps that are chiefly valuable as
frowners. A warship should be some
thing besides an ugly and formidable
looking weapon. 1t should first of all
be formidable, looks or no looks, as IN
the case of the gallant little Monitor.
Our battjeships should be something
else than hrst-class sinkersI
FALSE ECONOMY.
Tacoma Ledger: 1t is probable that
in view Of the present conditions. show
ing what small matter may precipl-
tate war, that the appropriation for
| continuing work on our coast defenses
VIII not be cut down to the extent
proposed. There are other directions in
which the pairing system would do less
harm. Indeed, it looks as though anv
interruption Of the work of fortifyine
would be false and expensive "econo.
my