The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-26
EAGER 70 FIGHT CHILE.
THE ARMY AND NAVY CLUB A
WAR ROTBED.


Ofhcsrs Anxious to Win Promotion
and the Other Prizes of the Military
Profession-Minister Months Dinner
to Secretary Blaine.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Peace befltting
Christmas day reigned in Washington to-
I day except OF the Army and Navy CluS,
where war with Chile is already raging and
has been, in fact. ever since the Baltimore's
sailors were killed in the streets of Val.
paraiso. The Army and Navy Club, which
since its new S100,0 900 club house was begun
mas increased its membership until now that
1t is on the eve of giving its house warming
in the big and beautiful building, it
amounts to over 600, is great influence In
Washington. The natural desire Of most Of
its members for opportunities to win pro-
motion and the other prizes of the mill
tary profession, Joined with their natural
resentment at an affront to one branch Of
their profession, has kept the war talk going
ever since Capt. Schley's first rsnort was
received. II it had been left to the Army
and Navy Club, war would have been de-
clared with Chile long since. II it had the
power given it to-day It would bring Chile
NP WAeA q ~I-hOhAo AAVtAlhbhAls
SHARED BY ALL RANKS.
The war feeling at the club, naturally
the more intense because it is officially
reported at the war department and
the navy department, which began
with the younger officers has per-
meated all rauks. Even old commanders
and rear admirels who would soon retire if
we were to have real war, seem as eager
for hostllities as the ensign Just back from
his first cruise. It is from this powerful
institution. which influences all the other
clubs, the newspapers and senators and
Representatives that most Of the local gossip
oalled news as to the Chilean situation"
comes. The gossip multiplies from day to
day, Sd that to-day it was possible to hear
anything startling you wanted to hear.
The fact that the government IS making
somewhat tardy preparations to make its
influences felt in Chile by a DRAM
attic demonstration at Valparaiso in
which all our available ships and mon
will take part. aud the fact that 1t is also
arranging for the possible contingency of a
war with Chile as q result OF her possible
unwillingness TO do what is right, are not
enough for the gossips, VINO are full of
startling stories.
WAITING ON THE NEW REGIME.
Meanwhile the President and Secretary
Blaine, sppreoiating the gravity of the stu
hDlOn. WUlCu COUSlSbS It's ulOeT-
tainty, are calmly awaiting the action of
government to be established tomorrow at
Santiago, to which Minister Egan has
been instructed to make the same repre-
sentation which he made to the provisional
government. To them the most interest
ing thing in the newspapers was the
brief cablegram from Valparaiso predicting
a speedy settlement of the Baltimore affair
and involving the punishment of the two
Chileans who killed the two Baltimore men
'to the utmost legal limit" confirming the
assurances so persistently given by Minister
Montt, the brother Of the President Of Chile,
to be inaugurated tomorrow.
MONTHS DINNER TO BLAINE.
Great interest attaches In the present cir
cumstances to the dinner 20 be given to~
morrow by Senior Montt to Secretary
Blaine in honor OF the Inauguration of
Senior Montt's brother as President of Chile
There will be no formal proceedings of
course, nor will anything be said or done to
be published, for the dinner will be partly
private, but it Is counted upon by Senior
Montt to deepen the good impression he has
made on the administration. 1t is unjust
and untrue to say that Senior Months sim
cerity has been questioned by the President
or Secretary Blaine, or that they suspect
him of making time for the purpose of get
ting the Capilan Pratt into American
waters before rupture comes.
NO DELAY SECURED.
AS q matter of fact Minister Montt has
procured no delay whatever, and has not
sought to do 30. The President and Secre-
tary Blaine have been waiting for the es-
tabhshment of the responsible constitu-
tional government. II it proves to be un-
willing TO give US satisfaction the admins
tration will not be hindered by the friendly
feeling it has for Minister Montt from
promptly taxing steps in fore
ing its demands. which will now
include under Minister Egan's latest in
structions cessation CT the espionage
of the American legation and all
necessary protection for its occupants
Meanwhile the administration, though Hux-
ious, knowing that the situation is so criti- |
cal that slight spark might produce an
explosion, is hopeful of peaceful terinina~
tion of the incident.
The navy department has been officially |
informed of the arrival of the United |
States cruiser Boston at Valparaiso, Chile. |
Orders have been issued to the commander |
to proceed TO San Francisco. The latter |
place is the headquarters Of vessels assigned |
TO duty on the Pacific station, TO which duty |
the Boston was ordered some time ago.
EsMr. Soley, Assistant Secretary Of tho |
Navy, said tonight that there were no |
ships of the nevy now under orders to pro |
ceed to Chilean waters. Rumors In San |
Francisco and elsewhere with reference to |
the government chartering merchant |
steamers for cruising purposes in auticipac
ton of trouble with Chile are, be said. abb |
solutely without foundation.
TWO FIREMEN RETURN.
SAN Francisco, Dec. 25.--The steamer |
Keweenaw arrived here yesterday from |
Valparaiso On board was Patrick Shields, |
a fireman. who was brntally beaten by the
Valparaiso police. Immediately after the |
steamer docked United States District At |
torney Gertner. acting on telegraphio in-
structions from Attorney General Miller at
Washington, went on board and examined |
Shields and McKinstry, another fireman,
who was on shore with Shields |
shortly before the latter was ar
rested. Shields repeated on oath the |
story of his injuries as already sent out by |
the Associated Press, and McKinstry cor
roborated portion of the story. Atfida-
Wits were signed by the men, which will be
transmitted to Washington by the next |
mail. Shields shows plain marks OK the ter
rible beating he received.