Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-05
JUST A STITCH In TIME
BEING TAKEN BY THE NAVY DEPART.
MENT OFFICIALS.
They Don't Intend to Have the Govern
ments Vessels Too Far Away From the
Scene of Any Possible Necessity-Some
Haste Needed,

They Don't Intend to Have the Govern
ment's Vessels Too Far Away From the
Scene of Any Possible Necessity-Some
Haste Needed.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4. -[Special. | -
While Navy Department officials regard
the possibility of hostilities with Chile on
account of the killing of two American sea-
men in Valparaiso in sailors row as be-
ing remote, they evidently do not propose
TO be taken at much of disadvantage if
some rash or ill-advised action on one side
or the other should bring on trouble.
1t is evident that all that can be done
without being constructed into actual naval
demonstration against Chile is being done
The hasty departure of Admiral Gherardi
for the West Indies with the PHILADELPHIA
was step in that direction. The Admiral
had not expected to leave New York before
next week some time, but the Secretary of
the Navy concluded it would be better to
have the Philadelphia in the West Indies,
several days nearer Valparaiso, at once, so
that in an emergency cable orders could be
sent her and much valuable time could be
saved.
The hasty preparation of the Newark for
sea is attributed to the same cause When
she was sent up to the Boston Navy Yard it
was understood that extensive alterations
were to be made, and that she would not get
to sea before a month and half Now, how
ever, orders have been sent her to be ready
to proceed to the South Atlantic not later
than November 10. The reason for this
haste is that from the South Atlantic to
Valparaiso is a comparatively short VOYAGE
and if trouble should occur 1t would not
take the Newark long to get on the ground.
1t would not be at all surprising if the
Newark would be accompanied to the
South Atlantic or soon followed, by the
Atlanta and Bennington, or one of them,
for though the reported revolution in Bra
zil is not credited at either the State or
Navy Department, the rumor would afford
pretext for still further increasing the
naval force in the South Atlantic without
openly making demonstration in the di-
rection of Valparaiso.
Though there is apparently no reason for
trouble and small probability of force being
resorted 10 on either side, it is apparent
that the United States could, in a Compare
lively short time, concentrate quite a num-
Der of good ships at Valparaiso.
Acting Secretary Spaulding, of the Treas
ury Department, has sent the following
self-explanatory letter TO Secretary Blaine:
have the honor TO acknowledge the re-
celpt OF your letter OF the 20 INST, IN winch
you request that telegraphic instructions
may be sent to the Collector of Customs at
New Orleans. according courtesies to and
free admission and prompt delivery of the
personal baggage and effects of Mrs. Montt,
wife of Don Pedro Montt, who has been APP
pointed Minister by the Chilean Govern
ment, and in reply beg to quote below a
telegram yesterday sent to the said Col
lector, viz: Accord usual courtesies to and
facilitate prompt delivery of personal bag
gage and effects of Mrs. Montt, wife of the
Chilean Minister. her family and others
connected with the Chilean Legation ac-
companying her, to arrive Thursday next
from Aspinwall.n