Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-09
A FOOLISH CANARD.
The Cruiser Baltimore Not
Blown Up.
She Lies Peacefully at Anchor
at Valparaiso.
: Captain Schley Gives His officers
Permission to Go Ashore.
Conciliatory Disposition Shown by
Chiie-,work Being Pushed ON
American Ships with
All Speed.
Associated Press DISPATCHES.

NEW YORK, NOV. S.-In0 Herald 8
Valparaiso cable says: Captain Schley
and the other officers Of the Baltimore
are indignant about the yarn OF the
sinking Of their ship, there being no
truth in the rumor, which they know
caused great uneasiness to their families
and the people, generally, in the United
States. The utmost quiet prevails in
the city this morning, and in the harbor
the Baltimore is lying peacefully
as il che were in home water.
Her stewards for several days past have
gone ashore to do necessary marketing
under the protection Of a police guard
furnished by the intendente..
Captain Schley will tonight grant the
officers leave to land. Although as a
matter of fact no threats have been
made, nor any signs given that violence
will be attempted should American Off
GERS appear again on the streets of Val
paraiso, Captain Schley, in order to be
on the safe side, and as matter of
prudence, stopped night leave until
today.
Captain Sohley received letter ask
ing him to allow the victims of the
recent riot to appear before a court of
inquiry to tell Judge Foster what they
know Of the assault upon them. Schley
replied that he was willing to allow
them to testify upon one condition:
The Injured men have to be more re-
covered in health, and officers of the
Baltimore must be present when their
men are teedfying, He also agreed to
give the court copy OF the information
sent the United States government re-
garding the assault.
WORK RUSHED ON VESSELS.
New YORK, Nov. S.-Brooklyn navy
yard presented an appearance of activity
witnessed for the first time since the ex-
citing times OF the rebellion today. The
hum and din of busy workmen on the
war vessels Miantonomah and Atlantic
disturbed the Sabbath stiffness as body
of 400 bluejackets marched across the
yard to divine services. Workmen have
been busily engaged day and night for
the past week in preparing the two ves-
sells for speedy service at sea. Today the
work of preparation was continued, it
being the first Sunday since the late war
that such thing has happened. There
are eighty men at work on the two ves-
sells, and all expedition will be used
until they are ready for service.
The navy yard officials denied the ru-
mored sinking of the Baltimore at Val
paraiso. 1t was said the officers and
crew of the Baltimore exercise the
x,s< in, and ho
torpedo nets about the vessel would
unusual hustle and activity at the yard
sinking of the Baltimore, but it is con-
ceded that the strained relations be-
tween this country and Chile have caused
vessels ready for any possible contin-
gency.
ACTIVITY AT MARE ISLAND.
VALLEJO, CAL, Nov. 8.-There is great
activity in the navy yard. Machinists
were at work all day today, Sunday, on
the Mohican, and will work again to-
night. kilograms have been received
at the yard urging the putting of the
vessels in readiness for sea at once. All
the available workmen on the lists have
been sent for, and one thousand men
will be at work in few days. "a
There are now six wooden vessels at
Mare island, all of which could be ready
for action within five weeks. Each ves-
sci has one eight-inch converted muzzle-
loading rifle and one sixty-pounder
breech-lcading rifle. The rest of their
main battery consists of nine-inch
smooth bores. OF these the
Omaha has ten; the Swatara
and Mohican, eight the Adams
and Nipsic, six, and the Ranger four.
Besides these there is the monitor
Comanche with two 15-inch smooth
bores, now ready for sea. All the ves-
sells have Hotchkiss revolving cannon as
a secondary battery. There are also at
the island six 8-inch converted rifles,
four 60-pounders and large number of
surplus 9-inch smooth bores.
SAN FRANcIsCo's scANT PROTECTION.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. S.-The fact that
work at the navy yards at Brooklyn and
Mare island is being pushed both on
Sunday and at night, has created some
excitement here. The defenses of Sar
Francisco against an attack from sea are
uOL coRCCidliy 6Oo0s 4AOiO 40 AAoo - oAA
gle modern rife here. Fort Point, al
the entrance Of the Golden Gate, hal
about fifty 8-inch muzzle-loading rifles
converted from iron 10-inch smoothbores
On Alcatraz there are eight or nine more
There is also large number OF 10 ant
15.inch smoothbores.
1t is believed these guns could delay
an enemy entering the bay for consid
erable length OF time. Only the ex
treme western part of the city, wher'
there are few valuable buildings. coult
be shelled without coming within clos
range of these guns. The harbor is wei
protected by torpedoes, of which ther
are six hundred or seven hundred il
position or ready to be placed. AL
these are stationary, there being n
auto o-mobile torpedoes in the city. Tw'
modern rifles have been promised t
San Francisco next year, and two tn
year after.
CHILE WANTS PEACE.
VALrARAIso, Nov. S.-The Chilea
government is seeking friendly solu