Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-30
THE SITUATION GRAVE
An Answer to Minister Egan's Dis
patch Determined Upon.
TO GO ON THE BALTIMORE
That Rumored to BE His Iustructsons-Thc
United states win Stand Firm In II. Pres
ent Position-Sou,h American Diplomats
Say That Chile viii Fight.

nieep over the message from the Chilean min
lister Of foreign affairs has not resulted in less
serious view OF the matter. The situation is
considered grave and there is no opinion other
than that this government must take prompt
action TO maintain our national dignity. The
extreme mildness Of the Presidents demand"
upon the Chilean government renders par;icu-
larly offensive the reply Of the Chilean gov
ernment The communication from tins
country gave no warrant for a reply in slch q
tone OF defiance, aud if any further evidence
OF the hostile feeling of Chile we're necessary
the opinion in Official circles is that this reply
furnishes the evidence.
Secretary Blaine and Assistant Secretary
Wharton were in conference this morning at
the residence OF the Secretary, and it is be-
heyed that they were preparing additional in
structions TO Minister Egan.
DEMONSTRATION IN FORCE.
1t is not 10 be supposed that the second COM
munication will be as temperate as the first.
The general opinion in official circles is that
demonstration of force will be made at
once, and the hope is expressed that when
Chile sees that tie United States is in earnest
and has the force to back up the demands Of
the State Department she viii retire from her
defiant position and be willing TO treat the
matter in a more satisfactory manner.
Ii is understood that instructions have been
given 10 all the available vessels to hold them
selves in readiness for sailing orders. The best
naval authorities assert that our naval force is
strong enough to impress Chile with a sense Of
the danger that lies in the maintenance of her
defiant attitude. We are, according 10 the
opinion of naval officers. embarrassed by one
disadvantage. however, the knowledge of
which may encourage the junta to further
folly. 1t Is that we have no convenient coal
ing stations accessible.
NEED OF ooALING STATIONS.
A naval officer who is qualified to speak on
the subject said today:
1--WE have before us a demonstration of the
wisdom of Washington's maxim-'In time Of
peace prepare TOR war. Some of those who are
now urging vigorous and warike demonstra-
uons are men whose care it should have been
to prepare us for such an emergency. The
Navy Department has been trying to impress
upon Congress the importance of providing
coaling stations in both the Atlantic and Pacific
but nothing has been done and We are now
without means of coaling our war vessels in
those waters. We have neither coaling
stations nor dry docks in that vicin-
Ity. In case We go to war with Chile
all the countries between here and Chile
Will be neutral and we shall have to depend
upon coaling them by means of transports
from San Francisco. There will have TO be a
line of coal vessels from San Francisco TO Chile.
Our vessels cannot long remain in those waters
without getting their bottoms so foul that all
IL
the Chiieans could cut off our coal supplies We
would soon be in a bad condition. Moreover.
IL would be necessary for our vessels to sail
back to San Francisco to have their bottoms
cleaned. The only thing to do would be to
capture port and establish a coaling station. !"
THIS GOVERNMENT WILL REMAIN FIRM
Senator Edmunds called Oh the Secretary Of
the Navy this morning. In response to an
inquiry by STAR reporter, he said that he had
not followed the Chilean affair and was not
sufficiently conyersant with the case to express
an opinion as to the present situation. He said,
however, that he was sure that this government
would be firm and just and would do the right
thing in the right way. He hoped the Chileans
would be reasonable enough and sensible
enough to act properly.
THE CASE LOOKS UGLY.
A STAR reporter saw Senator Cullom this
morning after he had had an interview with
Secretary Tracy. Speaking Of the Chilean affair
the Senator said:
''Ihe situation looks very ugly. Those little
chaps down there are very sassy and think
We shall be obliged to give them lesson. IL
they do not change their tactics at once the
only thing for us is to send our war ships down
there and give them-the mischief"
AT THE CABINET MEETING TO-DAY.
The Chilean situation was discussed at the
cabinet meeting today. and it is understood
that Mr. Blaine laid before the President and
the other members Of the cabinet, all of whom
except Mr.. Foster, who is in Ohio, were pres
ent, the outline of reply to the dispatch Of
Mr.. Egan.
1t was reported this afternoon that Minister
Egan has been instructed to withdraw from
Chile and 60 aboard the Baltimore.
WOULD CHILE FIGHT?
"Would Chile really fght?' is the question
that people have been asking for the past twen-
ty-four hours. But few people in this city have
anything like an intimate acquaintance with the
Chilean character, and these few are principally
with the diplomatic corps. None Of
these would at this juncture be interviewed on
this interesting topic, but most Of them talk in
an informal way of the possibilities now be-
ginning to put in their appearance.
A consensus OF opinion is to the effect that
Chile would rather engage in hostilities with
the United States than offer the sembiance of
an apology for anything it may have dore to
offend tine big republic. No nation is more
spIritedly arrogant. it is said than the Chilean,
and nowhere is pugnacity more Continuously
apparent than in Chile. The fact that the
United States is overwhelmingly the su-
perior receives no consideration what
ever even from Chileans who are
thoroughly conversant with the relative condi-
tions OF the two countries. say these diplomats.
Il is the Chilean nature to have things his own
way or tight, they add, ami unless the United
States backs out Of this little affair i. is gener-
ally believed that actual hostilities cannot be
avoided.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATION.
1t would be sufficient if the State Depart
naent had nothing more formidable to deal with
than Chilean peculiarities, but the diplomatic
idea is that English capital, which has always
been interested in keeping Chile and the United |
States as far apart as possible, has more than |
little to do with this incipient strife
The party in power Low, il is urged is essen 1
tally pro-English and rabidly anti-American- |
Balmaceda was upset because he opposed /
British monopoly and encouraged American in 1
hut his defeat and death appear only i
% have whetted the appetite OF those who are /
opposed to American ideas.
WHAT MIGHT HI DONE.
''Should there be hostilitiss," {" said one Of The
diplomats to sSrAa reporter, land I do not
,ssily see how they can now be avoided, you
,eed not look for any great naval engagement
n Chilean waters. Your enemy seeks loud
'ounding glory, and he would ssnd one or two
II his best ships to your Pscine
rome until they appeared In San Diego % San |
rouble. You do not think men who are not |
gnorant could b % foolish. but /
1ou do NOT know thsss ChiieansL Their 6rsvsdo
> something wonderful; insane, grant Won. /
,ut nevertheless wonderful euch-a cornict /
'ould have but one result-Chilsan ssro-
Ianco would be laid In the dnst-but /
hese hotheeds would have caused in6nits /
lamage TO some Of your coast citiss. for Won /
.~~A Ho-<sR>><s~-.