The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-12-29
Special to the REcoRD-UN1ox.

w ASHINGTON, Dec. q. - Secretary
Tracy's Office presented busy scene this
morning. Within one hour he saw SEN
ator Allison, Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Appropriations Senator
Cameron, Chairman of the Committee
on Naval Affairs: Senator Butler, MEM
Der ofthe same committee; Senators Frye
and Hale, Chief Constructor Wilson,
hiefEngineer Melville, Captain Phillips,
who is to command the cruiser New
York; Lieutenant Mason. executive Off
Ger of the same vessel; Commodore Fol-
ger, Chief of Ordnance; Commander
Chadwick, and lastly, Charles Cramp, the
ship-builder.
Notwithstanding this sign of official
activity and the reports printed of I'M
usual work at the navy yard, officials of
the Navy Department deny that there is
the least speck of a war cloud in the
diplomatic horizon.
Assistant Secretary Solely says he has
already expressed his views as to the
navy yard work. When asked where the
san Francisco is bound, he declined 10
give definite answer, but when he was
reminded that the last time she went out
Tor gun practice as reported by the
department, she was next heard of at
Valparaiso, he said the vessel had no or
GERS for Chile.
4 naval officer who should know. when
asked If the cruiser San Francisco was
bound for Acapulco, replied that she
would not go as far south as Mexico. He
also stated that the Baltimore is now
probably north of Panama on her way to
San Francisco.
Commodore Folger, Chief OF the Ord
nance Bureau, added to the general denial
by saying there is no unusual activity at
the naval gun factory.
Cranp also insisted that his force was
not working faster or longer than usual.
lie said he had received no instructions
from the department to hurry work on
the naval vessels now building at his
yards. Commodore Wilson. Chief of In
Structors, had gone over to Philadelphia
to inspect the progress of naval work,
and on Saturday had not found a single
man of the 3,0C0 employees at work.
Moreover, Cramp did not believe half his
force was at work to-day, as they are
keeping the holiday season.
AT the Department of State matters
moved along in the usual serene fashion
There is not trace of warlike excite
lnent. Officials say nothing has been
heard from Minister Egan since the 23d
inst. Why he did not attend President
Months Inauguration Saturday they did
not know, and doubted the correctness of
the report to that effect.
At the War Department, neither Act
ing Secretary Grant nor Major General
Schofeld, would certainly be in posi-
ton 10 know, had any information OF the
intention to appoint General Miles to
command the army in the event of war
with Chile; in fact, the only sign of war
like preparation visible at the executive
departments consisted in the order
issued Saturday for the immediate
preparation of the new l2-inch gun Just
completed at the navv-yard here, for
transportation to California, together
with 1000 pounds Of powder and IL 900
shells.
Senior Montt, the Chilean Minister,
called at the Department of State at noon
lie had an interview with Secretary
Blaine for half an hour.
1t was impossible to get moro than a
hint of what passed between the Secrc-
tary and the Minister during the inter
view, but that it is probably sufficient to
warrant the supposition that matters are
now proceeding in manner satisfactory
to the Government OF the United States,
as desired. Notwithstanding the fact that
Secretary Blaine is now dealing almost
entirely directly with the Chilean Minis
ter, instead of with his Government,
though the Intervention of Minister
Igan, it does not appear that the result
has been saving of time, and there is
reason 10 suspect that the Secretary is
chatting at the delay he encounters in Sc
curing a final response to the representa-
tons made by this Government concern
ing the attack upon the Baltimores men.
During the afternoon Representative
Lodge and Boutelle called at the Navy
Department. They are both Republican
members of the House Committee on
Naval Affairs, the Chairman of which.
Representative Herbert, is absent from
the city. Unless the House of Repre-
sentatives recurs to the old Randall rules,
the Naval Committee will retain in it's
charge all matters relating to appropria-
tons for the naval service, while in the
Senate the concurrent action of the Com
mittee on appropriations and the Com
mitee on Naval Affairs is usually neceS-
sary to secure provision for any naval
expenditures.
Secretary Tracy has been in commune
cation with members of each of those
committees during the day, but with
what purpose is not definitely known.
An officer of the department, speaking
of the consultations, said: 1T means
lust this; that we are abiding by George
Washington's maxim, In time of peace
prepare for war; We do not believe
there will be war, but if the Administra-
ton failed to exercise all of its power in
the matter of preparations it would be
open to severe criticism If hostillties
actually ensue."
News reached. the Navy DepartlQ ent
this afternoon that the cruiser San Fran
cisco had arrived at san Diego, Califor-
MIA. and was at anchor in the harbor. 1t
was rumored that she would await the
Charleston at that place, and transfer to
the latter vessel certain munitions of war
which she carried from San Francisco.
WAR ALL NONSENSE.
The Acting Secretary of War said to-
dav, when asked for an explanation of the
unusual activity in army circles: ut is
nonsense to talk of war with Chile. Why
do they not talk of war with Italy?"
THE SAN FRANCISCO AT SAN DIEGO.
SAN DIEGO. Dec. IS. 4 The United States
steamer San Francisco, which left San
Francisco at 3 O'Clock p. NJ. Saturday, ar
rived at the offing at this morning and
entered the port at o'clock. The trip
was made direct, without stopping at
Monterey. as was expected The San
Francisco is the flagship of the Pacihc
station. and Rear Admiral Brown Is on
Loard. I'VE shall stay here in San Diego
barbor,n he said this morning, until the
Secretary of the Navy orders US away:
We are ready to sail on three hours,
notice, but may remain three weeks. All
depends on our orders from Washington.
The ship is equipped for three years
cruise. and we have 100 rounds OF ainmu-
milton for each gun. Beside this, we have
500 or 900 for other ships"
.'What other shipS?"
"Wen, we may meet some other ships