davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
A PARCELS POST SYSTEM.

C CONSIDERABLE interest has been expressed \ in the East a recent statement in the House
 O of Commons that the failure thus far to arrange parcels post system between the United States and Great Britain is due mainly to the reluctance of the Postoffce Department of the United States to enter into such arrangement. The subject has given rise to no little discussion, and result there has de veloped strong a sentiment in favor of such pos tai system that 1t probable earnest efforts will be made to induce our Government to arrange for one as speedily as possible.
 The proposed scheme Is not of so much interest to the Pacific Coast 1t is to the Atlantic seaboard, where the interchange of parcels with Great Britain amounts to an enormous traffic, and yet read
 fly perceive the advantage it would be to the people of both countries The parcels delivery is of the successes of the British postoice It provides the people with of sending small parcels with security equal that of the best express companies and at a comparatively small cost If extended to the United States would largely increase the trade in srall articles between the nations and thus lead to better trade in all classes of goods.
 The chief benefit of parcels post to the people Of California would be the facilities it would afford our manufacturers and fruit preserving to send small samples of their Great Britain for inspection and trial Tn that way we could make known to the dealers of London many articles of California pro- ducton for which there would grow up large de- mand in the of few years. In addition to this there would be other advantages of considerable importance It is therefore likely that the Eastern agitation for the establishment of the international parcels post will find almost much favor here as there and that the country will be virtually unit in urging it upon the Government
 It is not clear why our Postoffce Department has been opposed to the project although it is likely the fear of increasing expenditures at a time when have yearly deficit in the department has been the chief reason If this be so we have another to complain of those members of Congress who defeated the Loud bill for reducing expenditures and have failed to advance other for eecting that object The deficit in itself is bad enough but it be- comes worse when it stands in the way of postal pansion in direction that would be of great advan tape to all.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
THE PRVATEERING QUESTION.

H FBATES in the United States Senatc and the l ] British Commons have disclosed the fact D that there a misconception III the re- ports given out few days ago the effect that our Government had given assurances to Europe that 1t would not issue letters of marque to privaeers in case of war with Spain. The declarations made by the Government referred clauses of the treaty ot Paris of 1856 other than those which relate to the question of prvateers
 The subject was brought up in the Senate by Money of Mississippi, who, after saying he had no ticed in the press report that the State Depart ment had announced that during the approaching war there would be privateerng on the part o the United States and that this Government would abide by the treaty of Paris, asked if any member ot the Committee on Foreign Relations could inform the Senate ii the report was correct 10 this the chair man of the committee, Senator Davis, replied: T have heard nothing about the matter except what have seen in the newspapers.
 The discussion in the Commons explains the Aict of statement Balfour in reply to a question the subject, said the British Government had re- ceved from the United States notification that 1t would adhere to the treaty of Paris far regards neutral vessels declaration of respect for neutrals
 is quite different thing from declaration that would not sanction privateers, and leaves that i'm portant question open for decision as the needs Of the emergency may require.
 Senator Money directed attention to the fact that the power to issue letters of marque and reprlsa IS under our Government confined exclusively to Con- gress This fact in itself shows that the report so extensively circulated was in error. Whether no we shall send forth privateers to prey upon the com merce of Spain is for Congress to decide, and there IS no reason to believe that 1t will be in any hurry to reach an absolute conclusion on the matter.
 The whole policy of our Government has been to respect private property in much possible. The history of American privaeers has been of courage and daring, but in admiration for the brave men who carried 1t we have inclined to make that form of warfare perpetual among tions It is well known that the only reason we did not agree the treaty of Paris not because it far in suppressng prvateering, but that it did not go far enough in guaranteeing the rights of neutrals In the same spirit of honorable Con- gress will deal with the problem in this emergency. We may have no desire to enter upon it, but if Spain tries it she will find that privateering is game we have played before with distinguished success and if need be we can play it again with equal vigor.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

their date of completion is set for May 4 and October 5, 1899, and March 24, 1Nu: Three armored cruisers, two of them or 9S55 tons, and the third of 1906 tons, are building at EIswick, two to b, completed this year and the last in the summer or 1899. They will have speeds from 2OA 10 211a knots. One is not yet named; the others are known as the Asama ana Ia kiwa. A protected cruiser, called Taka- sago, is nearly completed at Elswick. She is 4227 tons, and Is to make 221a knots. An armored cruiser, AZuma, is being built in France, to be completed in June, 1900. She is 9460 tons and of twenty knots speed. The Vulcan Company in Stetttn is build ing an armored cruiser of $500 tons, to be delivered April, 1900; speed twenty knots. The protected cruisers Kasagi and Chl- tosi, building at Cramps and the Union Iron Works, are to have speed of 2212 knots, and are to be delivered next De- cember. The distribution of this naval work insures for the Japanese Govern ment all the advantages arising from competition, and the natural tendency of each builder to excel his rival in turning out ships that will bring more work to the ward.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
IN ARREST.

A private comes after all the day long, With a gun in his impident holt. An looking right ready to blow up the world If 1 took notion to bolt; The others are drilin' an polishin arms An gittin' all ready to go, While I'm cleann ditches an mendin' the In front of the officers row. The sergeant comes by with his awkwardest An ev'ry thick headed recruit Cocks up his off eye an he wonders about The man in the dirty brown suit. It's and the guard mounts about to begin There there! Hear the bugle calls blow; Not diggin' on officers row. There's visitors gawkin' all over the post Nice, tender, sweet things from the town An they nudge one another an ask for the Of me bein' rigged out in brown. It makes me feel hot, but l s'pose it's all You couldn't expect em to know It's because licked Peters I'm cleanin' the
 ditch
 That runs along officers row. The boys all readin' the papers; hear Them arguin' as they pass, Or when l work near to some lazyin' crowd mat s wearin' the green of the grass; l d like mighty well to chip into the talk For just half minute or so, But m In arrest, an the guard must be strict Up here along officers row But never you mind. When it's time to play They'll order me out of arrest:
 blue
 The same as the others are dressed; An harder than when I licked Peters I'll fight 1T .fShtin' should come, for you know That one kind of scrappin' ain't paid for
 with jobs
 Of diggin' on officers row.
 -Chicaro Record
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
THE CALL BULLETINS.

~ WING to the imposition i'll the way oi fake | ] tras which has of late been practiced upon the V public, and for the purpose of guarding the people against such deceptons and frauds The Call will at once make a notable extension of~its bulletins and publish dispatches of every notable event of the in such way to make the news accessible at once to readers in every part of the city without cost
 To accomplish this The Call will print every dis patch of importance as it arrives, and post 1t not only on the bulletin boards of The Call oice but on the boards of every Call agency in the city, and also at other places where the people congregae. No time will be wasted in getting extras be hawked about the streets. The dispatch is received at any hour of the day or fore part of the night will be at once printed special press, and the copies as soon as struck off, will be sent by senger boys bicycles to The Call agencies and to such other notable places as may be selected, and there posted for all to read
 These dispatches thus publicly posted will furnish the people with the fast 1t comes to San Francisco, and will save them from the fake-extra fends who issue sheets proclaiming battles when no battles have occurred. The public will have reliable record of events as fast as they occur and will have no occasion to pay out nickel in order to tread rumor or fake.
 In addition to extending its bulletins in the city The Call will give larger service than Ill its bulletins throughout California, Nevada and Arizona At the present time The Call is sending such bulletins to upward of 100 points, and will soon add new ones to the list as well as increasing the service to those already reached. In this way the people of all inn portant places in this State and in Arizona and Ne vada will be kept posted the progress of events rapidly as they occur
 The reports obtained by The Call are tie most ac- curate received in this city. The public has doubtless already noted that The Call has published no fakes The superiority of service is due to the fact that 1t was arranged for long beforehand as it not made up on the spur of the out of rumors and fam tastic fances like those of journals that waited for the war to break out before they arranged for getting the news The Call bulletins will be accurate as we'll as prompt Look out for them.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
5. s. 8 s. 8 s: s s s s 8 s. 8: 8 8 8 s.
 g s 5: :::NAVAL ALGUNS. S s
 $ s: as And What It Costs 2.
 ;. ;. to Fire Them. :s
5. 8 8 g 8 8 ss s 8 s sa 8 s. 8 8 s g

N TRENTON was recently directed ~ by naval official to the fact that our naval ordnance was defective
 as compared with foreign ships in the lack of quick-iring guns It Is four years since the first 6-inch gun was con- verted at the Washington yard into quick-f1rer, and since then only about dozen more have been thus converted. It costs about 5000 for each gun and the present capacity is five months to each lot of twelve guns, working eight hours daily. By putting on three shifts the time would be reduced correspondingly, and every forty-ive days would add a dozen quick-firing 6-inch guns to our ships batteries. The efficiency of the bat tery is nearly tripled in the and men guns and doubled in an S-inch rifle. Tha importance of rapid firing cannot cover estimated.
 In the following table the principal data of United States and Spanish naval ord nance are given. The guns indicated py a star are quick-firers, and the powaer charges of the Spanish guns are smoke less powder or cordite, while that or our guns is given for common brown pow der:
 UNITED STATES AND SPANISH NAVAL
 GUNS
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
THE COMMERCE OF SPAIN

Secretary Wilson of the Agricultural Department has authorized the publica- tion of a bulletin on the subject of Spain's foreign trade from 1891 to 1895, inclusive, prepared by Frank H. Hitchcock, the chief of the section of foreign markets.
 It shows that Spain's commercial trans actions with the rest of the world amount annually to more than $500 900 900. In 1895 the merchandise imports amounted to $161.S29,516 and the exports $155 1855, ,759.
 Spain's foreign trade is largely mari time. Of the merchandise imported and exported during 1S91-95 only 15.9 per cent was transported by land while S4.1 per cent was carried in sea-going vessels.
 In the earlier years of the decade 1SS6- 1895, says the New York Press, more than one-half of Spain's maritime commerce was carried by foreign vessels; but since 1891 there has been a change, and the na- uonal shipping is now in the ascendency. The imports and exports made under the Spanish flag during 1895 amounted to Sl46; ;s6s, ,So6 and those under flags of other nations to only $115 ,145,676
 The total value of the merchandise annually exchanged between Spain and Canaries and her various minor posses sions exceeded $50 900 900. The United States ranks third among the sources of Spain's import trade
 Coal, which constitutes the most inn portant item among Spain's non-agricul- tural imports. is procured chiefly from the United Kingdom the receipts from the United States amounting to less than 1 per cent of the total.
 In 1895 there were entered and cleared at Spanish ports 36,S56 merchant vessels. Of these vessels 19169 carried the flag of Spain and 17,6S7 vessels the flags of other nations. The average yearly tonnage for the five years, 1S91-1S95 was 24374 ,939, while that for the preceding five Years to the growth in the tonnage of the Spanish merchantmen.
 On December 31, 1895, the latest date for which there are available statistics, the merchant marine of Spain comprised 17S3 vessels, having an aggregate tonnage of 572. Compared with the statistics for 1895, this is slight increase in the size of the fleet and marked one in it's tonnage. The steam vessels increased from 431 in 1886 to 523 in 1895. The ships entered and nually to 19,7O4. as against 15,73S along the Mediterranean.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
FACTORY LABOR IN THE SOUTH.

n impressive illustration of the far-reaching / \ effect of human actions is afforded by an un- foreseen and unntended outcome of the re- cent strike of the cotton mill operatives in New Eng land The strikers aimed to maintain the former rate of wages in their localities, but completely failed The local effect of the strike was merely a few weeks of idleness the part of some of the operatives and the closing dowr of fev of the mills
 It is in the far South that the greater effects are felt
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

The latest improvement in the one pounder Maxim quick-firing gun is a dis appearing carriage, making the gun par ticularly well adapted for smaller vessels. The entire outfit weighs only 2l3O pounds. The shell complete weighs 1.45 pounds, fired with charge of 1 ounce no grains, which gives a velocity of 1900 feet per second It's firing capacity Is 25O rounds per minute.
 The d'EntrecasteauX, armored cruiser, built in France soon after the United States cruiser New York of that class had had her highly successful trial, has re- gently had preliminary speed trial at sea. She made nineteen knots with 12,9O0 horsepower, and when the engines are worked up to their maximum power of IA GOO horsepower speed of twenty knots is anticipated The EntrecasteauX is STA tons, against the New York of S2O0 tons, which developed a speed of twenty one knots on F, 400 horsepower.
 The French battleship Formidable, of 12.165 tons, was launched in 1885, but has been completed now, after undergoing various changes on the original design. She has received new boilers, and the bat tery and gun protection has been entirely changed The ship has a steel belt of 2112 inches in thickness, and her two 14.6-inch rifles are located in barbettes, or open turrets, 17% inches thick Eight 6.S-inch quick-firers are protected by 6-inch case mates. and her eight 51a-inch quick-firers have heavy shields. The dimensions of the Formidable are: 322 feet length, 69h feet beam and draught of nearly 30 feet. The coal-bunker capacity is zoo tons. and she is expected to steam 16 knots under forced draught.
 Ivy ot to mobilize the first division of the French squadron in the shortest possible time as a test of the efficiency of the arsenal. The division included the Hoche, Jem- mapes and Valmy, battle-ships; Dupuy de I,ome armored cruiser, and four smaller vessels. The order came at s o'clock in the forenoon, and by 10 o'clock all the crews were aboard, and by 10 o'clock at night the ships had taken in coal sufficient to steam twenty five days at twelve knots an hour, and all other war stores, ammunition and provisions m to full war requirements were on hoard It was demonstrated that Brest could. in a few hours, fit out a squadron, but it Is alleged that if there had been any doubt on this point the order would not have been given. In other words, it was a prearranged plan got up for some political effect to secure supporters for certain naval expenditure approprlaIlonS.
 An official list of vessels building abroad for the Japanese navy gives the following facts: Three battle-ships are building at the Thames Iron Works; Thompson & Co.,, Glasgow, and at Elswick. The first, named the Shikishma, is 43S feet by 75 feet inches, and has a displacement of l5 .OsS tons on 27 feet 8 inches draught. The Asaki, at Thomson's, is 13 feet shorter, but displaces $40 tons, and the third, not yet named, Is 44O feet by 76 feet 6 inches and 15 ,240 tons on 27 feet draught. Their speeds are to be eighteen knots and
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
"Mrs. winsIow's soothina sx-uny

Has been used over fifty years by million. oe mothers for their children while Teethinr vv4te perfect success. It soothes the child soften- the gums, allays Pain. cures Wind Coiio req ulates the Bowels and Is the best remedy for Diarrhoeas whether arising from teethinE or other causes For sale by Druggists in every part of the world. Be sure and ask for Mrr Winslow's Soothing Syrup. 25c bottle.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25


 served and discharged is recorded from actual tests on board ship at target prac- tice:
 1872 R-inch-7 rounds in 12 minutes.
 1S-inch-1 round in minutes.
 12-inch-1 round in 1 minute 19 seconds.
 10-inch-1 round in minutes
 S-inch quick-firng-4 rounds in minutes 2 s-inch-2 rounds in minutes
 6-inch. quick -fring-6 rounds in 1 minute.
 6-inch-2 rounds in l minute.
 5-inch, quick -firing-6 rounds in 1 minute.
 47-inch. ck-firing-5 rounds in % seconds. 6-pdrs-1o rounds in minute.
 The disadvantage of ship with ordi- nary breech-loading 6-inch rifles against another with quick-firers is quite appar- ent.
 Another element in naval gunnery is that of cost. which is enormous as com pared with that of thirty years ago. The cost of Elswick guns ten years ago was as follows: 1312 inch $51 Ill., 12 inch. $3S ,c95; 9.2 inch, $21 ,615; inch, $10,268; s inch, $5127; inch. $500; F pounders. $1000. Quick-fring guns had not yet come into general use, and their introduction en- tailed of course additional cost. The cost of United States guns is not at hand, but they are not likely to be less costly than those above enumerated The ammuni- tion which would be expended in a half hours engagement of battleShip of the Oregon class would be quite a fortune, and approximately as follows: Four 13- inch guns discharged fifteen times each, making sixty rounds, the cost of each discharge would be nearly $60O, or total of S36 0O0 The eight S-lnrn lines. Il -t twenty times each or collectively one hundred and sixty rounds, would cost S25 600. Two hundred and forty rounds from the four 6-inch guns q >ee would foot up s96oO twenty 6-pou~do~s firing 300 rounds each would cost $17,000, and four 1-pounders peppering away at the rate of thirteen shots minute would expend $1746. making total of nearly s90GOO gone. up in smoke in half an hour or S45 GOO in one-quarter hour engage ment. Then there are the torpedoes which cost $250O each of the Whitehead pattern and S2200 for the Howell. Half a dozen of these missiles sent off would be at an expense of over I14.000 and to this should be further added the fire from the machine guns when sufficiently close to make them effective, making not less than S64.OOO expended during fifteen minute engagement. Add to this the cost of damage done to the ship by the adver- sary, which may be merely nominal or destructive to the vessel, and 1t will give some idea of the cost of modern war fare.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
ANUS USEMENTS

Baidwfn-"The Purser"
 Columbia-"The Nancy Hanks California; Trlby"
 AlcaZar-''The Gay Parisans Morosco's-"The Wicklow Postman." 1ivoli-"Sinbad the Sailor"
 Orpheum-V Vaudeville. Sherman, Clay Hal-Paloma Scramm, Tuesday April 26 sherman, Clay Friday evening" Apri. 29 Odd Fellows Hal-Concert Thursday evening, April g. The Chutes-Zoo Vaudeville. and African Lion Hunt Olympia-Corner Mason and Eddy streets Specialtes. Sutro Baths-Swmming. Fl CampoMusic. dancing boating, fishing every Sunday Pacific Coast Jockey Club, Ingleslde-Races to-day.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

tasted ana were delighted with the dish and insisted on knowing what it Was. .oThere is the name" said Bowles, point ing to the menu, "but what it is l have not the slightest idea. However, we'll call the waiter and find out He beck oned the menial and. turning to that in- dividual. said: Young man, this dish with which you have provided us is deh- cate m the extreme. Can you tell me what 1t is?" "Yes,' answered the waiter. 'it's S2 40
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

CORONADo-Atmosphere is perfectly dry. soft and mild being entirely free from the mists common further north Round trin tick
 cts. by steamship, including fifteen days board at the Hotel del Coronado s65 longer stay. S2 50 per day Apply New Montgomery st.
 s- F. or A. w. Bailey, mgr. Hotel del Corona do, late of Htl Colorado, GIenwood Spgs. Colo.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
COLLECTED IN
 THE CORRIDORS.

J. B. Brown and P. M. Condft of Eu- reka are both at the Lick.
 w. D. Grady, the Fresno attorney, Is a guest at the Occidental.
 E. de la Custa, Supervisor of Santa Barbara is a guest at the Grand.
 J. B. Alexander and J. Phillips of Los Angeles are registered at the Palace
 John McInnis, wealthy merchant of Michigan, Is at the Occidental with his wife.
 Professor B. McGillicuddy of Deadwood s. Dak., is staying at the Grand, where he arrived yesterday.
 William M. Meyers has come down from Livermore on business trip and Is to be found at the Grand
 Mr. and Mrs. c. P. Brown of Auburn have come to the city with a party of friends. They are all staying at the Palace.
 Dan Murphy, ex-Collector of the port of Eureka, Humboldt County, arrived here on the Orizaba yesterday and will extend his business trip to Seattle
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

She-What do you think of the prop osition to tax bachelors, with a view to encourage matrimony?
 He-I think it would be much better to give a bounty with wives
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

Eastern correspondents who certain of the plans of the naval department seemed to have dreamed the information they loading on the wire Apparently they think the world will believe the Navy Department to be gossipy as a sewing circle
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

Sometimes" said Uncle Eben. ''I has mer s'picions dat dat boy CT mine doesn't show no respeck foh advice ease he sees Washington Star.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

Special information supplied daily to business houses and public men by +ba Press Clipping Bureau (Allen's), 510 Mont gomery street. Telephone Main 1U42.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

Alaska cut rates. First steamer direct to Dawson leaves May 8; few berths left. Apply 46 Market street, San Francisco
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

ACKER'S ENGLISH REMEDY WILL STOP a cough at any time, and will cure the worst cold In twelve hours or money refunded No Percentage Pharmacy.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

It would be interesting to know if the whacking of doctor the pate by another of the craft is any violation of the justly celebrated code of ethics of which so much is heard and so little known.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25

The Topeka seems to have had narrow escape It appears that some ship came into collision with other, and had the Topeka been of them it might have been damaged.