St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-01
ADMIRAL IRWIN's VIEWS.
Chill Could Be Neatly and Handily
Settled.

SAN Francisco. Oct. 31.-Naval Off
GERS at Mare Island are of the opinion
that the United States has ships enough
in fighting trim at the present mo-
ment to handle Chill with ease.
Admiral Irwin. commaudant at Mare
Island, said: 1--WE can handle Chilli
preparation. We have ships enough in
fighting trim now to squelch Chill. Val
paraisO is the key TO the entire situa-
ton, and do not apprehend any diff
Guilty In capturing the key. OF course,
we should want Iquique as well,
for that is Chili'S purse. | say
take it, and not blockade it,
The nitrate exporters do not care whom
they pay the duty to, and as we would
not want it we could turn it over to
Peru, from whom Chill took it. / think
this talk about privateers doing damage
to American commerce in the event of
war is nonsense. II it really has any
foundation it would mean that the pri-
vateers would be foreign vessels under
the Gillian flag, as certain foreign
elements have an interest in stirring up
strife. -
AS far as Chilli alone is concerned,
there is nothing TO worry about. She
could be taken care of by the vessels
entering the port of San Francisco that
have been found up to the qualifications
OF the naval reserve standard. The
board of inspection, of which l was
formerly at the head, has been
most thorough in its examination
and has found almost sufficient vessels
to oppose Chill without the rest of the
navy if we only had few modern guns
to put on them. But we have not got a
gun out here of the sort required.
The merchant marine vessels re-
ferred to would be of vast as
sistance, however. as transports
and provision freighters, and
would lessen the number of fighting
The Mfantouomah could get around
there easily. either BY ste9.1ing from
one coal port to another or gc,ug IN tow
of one OF the big twin screw ships.
There are several that could tow her
around easily and make good time:
and once there, with the fast
merchant marine to keep her supplied
with coal, ammunition and provisions,
she could come pretty near settling the
Gillian fighting forces herself.
Two or three smart cruisers which
are already on hand would give all the
aid needed. Such vessels as the Man
tonomah, Monadnock and Monterey
are the real fighting ships of
the future. With their tremendous
guns. which, by the new turrets, can be
fought in the sea, they are the most
formidable fighting machines afloat. and
one of them would have little to fear
from all that Chill has afioat. They are
ideal fighting ships. and heartily in
dorse the idea of getting few Of them
ready for service.
THE theorists and bookmen have
had great deal to say, too much, in
fact, said Admiral Irwin, '.and 1t
would be advantageous all around to
find out by practical demonstration
what is sgood and what is defective in
modern ships and guns. What with
belt armor, nickel plate and the near
prospect of building ships of alumni
mum, there is a good deal to be settled
by actual conflict, and il Chiliis inclined
to be saucy and force the issue the OPP
p0rtunity presented Is good one. But
/ do not think we will have any serim-
mage with Chill. Still. if we do, there
is nothing for Uncle Sam to fear for.''
The wooden fleet now at-Mare Island
navy yard consists of six vessels-the
Omaha. Mohicap, Thetls, Ranger, Ad-
ans and SwataTa. Repairs are now ID
progress on the first four and they
could go to sea In very short time.
The Omaha aud Swatara are out of
commission and %ouid take. longer
Continued ON Seventh Page.