Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-12-29
WHEELING, W. TUESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER ~ lS
aratiOns for war, we'll informed navy
official said to-day:
WHAT THE DENIALS MEAN.

WHAT THE DENIALs MEAN.
"The strenuous efforts that are being
made to choke of the war talk cannot
but have some object, and l think | can
see the object. 1t is generally thought
that President Montt is friendly
to the United States, but
that he is surrounded by
cabinet OF men who are eager for a
brush with US. The whole tone Of the
country is Enthusiastically hostile. Montt
realizes tho uSelessness OF war with
the United States, and is really anxious
20 avoid trouble, but he is in a dan
gerOus position. The main factors in
Chilean politics are the army and navy,
end just at present they are very eager
for any crisis tending TO increase their
prestige and maintain their organiza-
tiOn, which the reformers in Chile are
just now endeavoring to reduce to
peace basis.
"The cabinet il run bv these two SER
vices and Montt, himself an officer in
the navy, is open to the most potent In
tluences for war. He is being drawn
one way by his good sense, and another
way by his fear Of political complica-
tion that may throw hlu out Of office.
Chilean internal peace is not yet as
surred, and l have private advices from
Valparaiso to the effect that the army
and navy are bordering on state Of re-
volt against the new regime.
CONFLICTING INFLUENCES.
"Montt, harrassed by these conflict
ing influences, cannot afford to be forced
into an attitude Of bending to the supe-
rior force OF the United States. 1t
would be fatal 10 him as head Of the re-
public. He therefore temporizes In the
hope OF getting fast hold, tnd mean
while he intimates TO the United States
that he cannot possibly apologize under
~ressure. He suggests that il this gov
-nment should haul in its horns
AID stop talking war, he will
/ b in a position To secure favorable
re1ly to its demands; otherwise he can
no answer for the consequences. That
is the theory and this Government sees
the wisdom OF the suggestion, and while
| going ahead with the measures OF eau
| tiOn, makes an endeavor TO choke off OF
| belHgerence II has suddenly heard from
the whole country. can see no other
reason"
At the Department OF State matters
moved along in the usual serene fashion
and there was not q trace Of war-like
excitement. At the War Department
neither Acting Secretary Grant nor
/ Major General Schofield, who would
certainly be in position to know, had
any information OF an intention to ap-
point General Miles to command the
| army in the event of war with Chile.
In fact the only sign Of warlike prep
I arations visible at the executive depart
ments consisted in an order isSused Sat
/ urday for Immediate preparation Of the
new 19-inch gun just completed at the
navy yard here for transportation to
I California, tOgether with AZ, 600 pounds
of Drismatic powder and 1l-000 siI-inch
shells. Senior Montt, the Chilean min
| lister, called at the department Of state
at noon. He was Immediately shown
/ into Secretary Blaine's private office
and had IN interview with the secre-
| tary.
WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT.
1t was impossible to get more than a
hint Of what passed been the Secretary
and the Minister during the interview,
/ but that is probably sufficient to war
/ rant the SuppositiOn that matters are
not proceeding in q manner as satisfac-
tory TO the Government OF the l nlted
/ States as could be desired.
Notwithstanding the fact that Secre-
tary Blaine is now dealing almost en-
| tirely directly with the Chilean miais-
ter, instead OF with his government,
through the intervention OF Minister
Egan, il does not appear that the result
/ has been a saving Of time, and there is
reason to suspect that the secretary is
chafng at the delay he encounters in
securing 1nal response to the repre-
sentations made by this government
concerning ue attack upon the Balti-
more'S men.
During thelfternoon representatives
Lodge and Boltelle called at the navy
department. they are both Republi-
can members q the House Committee
on naval affairsthe Chairman OF which,
Representative Herbert, is absent from
the city.
1 Unless the Ho Sc OF Representatives
recurS to the old &andal rules the Naval
Committee will reain in its cIprge all
matters relating T. propriat.ons for
the naval service While in the Senate
the concurrent acton OF the Committee
on appropriation ah the Committee on
naval affairs is uSully neceSsar!to Sc
cure provision for ay naval exlsndit-
ureS. Secretary Trey has been iIe COM
munication with Numbers OF eash Of
these committees dEing the day but
with what purpose is not definitely
known.
News reached the Nvy Department
tbis afternoon that he cruiser san
Francisco had arrived at San Diefo,
Cal, and was at ancho in the harbr
II was rumored that sb would await
the Charleston at that pace and tram
fer 10 the latter vessel britain munit-
ions of war, which she carried from
san Francisco.
Chile has not yet asked for arbltra-
ton. but il is known TO thtCabinet and
10 the correspondent that ae is likely
10 do so. Minister Montt, he Chilean
Minister here, has, all alOnl seriously
doubted the intention Of th3 Govern
ment TO declare war in eventof Chile's
refusal 10 accede TO our demudS. To-
dsv however, he realized his mistake.
and the result was that he 6bled to
President Montt that the situaion here
was very serious; that this GoNrnment
meant fight, and that the nivy was
rapidly being placed oRa war iNting.