The record-union., 1891-10-29
Special to tne RFcoRn-urrnn

special to the RECoRD-U -UNroN.
SANTIAGO (Chile,l Oct. 2s-Tbe
Chilean Government has replied to Min
lister kgan's demand for an explanation
OF the recent attack upon the American
sailors. The reply is couched in very
strong language, and it is understood
'hat IL amounts to refusal TO accept the
responsibility of the affair. The State
department at Washington has been no.
nhed. Minister Egan, Commander
Schley, and Consul McCreery are con-
sultlng together, and tits thought decisive
action will be taken Soon The State De-
partments orders in reference To tho
matter are very strong.
The lntenGente OF Valparaiso has re-
fused to guarantee the safety of market
boats coming to that city early in the
morning from the United States war
ship baltimore, or tho safety of officers
OF that vessel coming ashore at night.
There is practical boycott on the Balti
more. No American sailors are allowed
ashore.
Great excitement has been caused here
by the report that the Chilean Legation
In Washington has been attacked.
EGAN BLAMED FOR THE TROUBLE.
WARRINGTON, Oct. 2S.-Senor Montt.
the Chilean Envoy here. who has been
regularly appointed, but whose creden-
tlalS nave not arrived, called on Secretary
Blaine to-day and bad long talk con-
cernlng the murderous assault upon tho
American sailors in Valparaiso. Senior
Montt explained the details of the affair.
which had come to him i'll his official
capacity, and he charged that Minister
Egan is really responsible for all the
mted States. He said that during the
revolution in Chile, when the Congress
slonalists endeavored to make q secret
advance on Valparaiso and surprise Bal
maceda's troops, the United States vessel
Baltimore played the part of a spy. He
charges that the Baltimore discovered
that the Congressional army was MAKING
a forward movement; that the vessel.
which should have maintained a neutral
attitude, steamed along the coast and
along the landing places where the i'm
surgents were located; that the Baltimore
then hastened to Valparaiso and reported
TO MIR. Egan, who .immediately laid the
facts before Balmaceda
The victorious party claims that their
plans were divulged to the enemy
through Egan's interference and that at
the battle which ensued they suffered the
loss OF at least 900 soldiers as the direct
result OF Egan's espionage.
AS it is understood that the Baltimore
was active as the agent of Balmaceda and
Egan, the populace is bitter toward that
vessel, and that accounts for the attack
upon the crew.
OUR NAVAL FLEET.
NEW YORK, Oct. 2S.-Only a short time
would be required for the United States
to assemble a formidable naval force
against Chile. Two war ships, the Balti-
more and San Francisco, are already on
the ground and two mora tho
and Boston, are now at sea on their way
TO Chile. The Yorktown started more
than two weeks ago and will soon be on
hand, while the Boston left here this week.
SIX more ships could start for South
America with scarcely any delay, if re-
CURED. They are the Miantonomah,
Chicago, Petrol, Atlanta, Vesuvius and
Newark.
The Miantonomah is now at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, and was unex-
pectedly put in commission Tuesday.
She is costly and powerful vessel, and
would be dangerous antagonist for al
most any ship aflOat, while Chile has
nothing to compare with her. Extensive
alterations and repairs have Just been
finished. She was originally built of oak.
and has since been rebuilt, and she now
shows the latest design for a vessel of her
class, and is heavily armored with
mingled steel and iron. She is q double
turreted monitor, and each other turrets.
which is armored like the rest of the
vessel, has two 10-inch rifles, each
capable of throwing q 500-pound steel
projectile. She has two 5-pound and two
3-pound rapid firing guns, two 37-milli-
meter revolving cannon, and two gatling
guns. She could go to sea almost at once.
The Chicago is in the North River and
the Petrol at the navy yard, and both are
ready to start on any duty that might be
expected of them at a moments notice.
The Vesuvius needs no preparation, and
is separated from Chile only by the
length of the voyage. The Philadelphia
and Bennington are both at the navy
yard, and it would be a question of only
few days to get them ready for sea.
The Concord is also at the navy yard, but
she needs repairs. and could not be got
ready so soon. The crews of such yes
sells as could soon be in Chilean waters
would number altogether nearly four
thousand marines, and could be brought
together at the Brooklyn Navy Yard or
any other convenient spot, from Boston,
Philadelphia, Washington and Norfolk.