The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-10-31
CHILEAN WAR CLOUD
Urgent Demand for Immediate
and Vigorous Action.
TIE OFFICIALS ARE INDIGNANT.

ference with Senior Montt, the Chill
can Minister.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 31.-At yesterdays
cabinet meeting Mr.. Blaine took stand
In favor of immediate and vigorous action
in the Chilean affair. 1t is understood
that Mr.. Blaines idea prevailed in the
cabinet; that, in fact, there was prac-
tically but one opinion as to what action
the situation demanded, and the course
Of procedure was decided on, though
Mr.. Blaine was not ready to make a
public announcement of it.
One difficulty in the way of the imme-
date recall of Mr.. Egan is that his pres
zee there is necessary for the protection
IT the refugees who have found an asy-
lum in the American legation and some
means of getting these persons out of
the country or placing them under the
protection of another legation, must be
devised before it will be safe to abandon
the legation. The situation is regarded
by Mr.. Blaine as one of great seriousness
-greater than the public have been led
TO assume.
Need for Vigorous Action.
The exact course he will follow in the
matter cannot be learned at this mo-
ment but it will be of character to
open the eyes of the American people to
the fact that there Is imminent danger
Of war between the two countries unless
Chile recedes from her position.
The seccetary and the president and
all their official advisers are indignant at
the reply of the Chilean minister of for
eign affairs, and regard it as impudent
in the highest degree.
The demand for an apology for the
insult to the United States aa,net by an
insolent refusal, yet, accoryeag to state
department officers and recorded prece-
dents, there is but one of two courses to
pursue, either to grant the Chilean gov
ernment time to make an investigation,
Ne Mr.. Blaine compelled Marquis Rudini
TO do during the italian controversy last
spring, or to repeat the demand for i'm
mediate reparation, backed up by a
threat Of war in case of refusal.
A Desire to Avoid Threats.
Mr.. Blaine hesitates to adopt either
course. He does not Of course wish to
eat hb own words, and it seems absurd
to suppose that the United States will
threaten or even make demonstration
Of force, as it is expressed in state de-
Dg htllNlilt, a. lew
more available ships to join the Balti-
more, San Francisco and Boston in the
harbor of Valparaiso.
Secretary Blaine and Senior Montt, the
Chilean minister, had an hours confer
ence late in the afternoon. Senior Montt
spoke In more conciliatory tone than
that assumed by his government, insist
ing, however, that Chile should be per-
mitted to take her own time in making
an investigation. The conference is said
10 have been conducted in friendly
spirit.
Our Governments Plan of Action.
As nearly as can be ascertained this
government proposes to wait reason-
able time for Chile to conclude the in
quiry which is now said to be under
way. This reasonable time" will not
be q question of months, but of days
1 no report is soon received from the
Chilean government, and there is reason
that it is Intentionally delayed, this gov
e1nment will again make a request for
m explanation, and if 10 reply is forth
coming steps may be taken toward
suspension of amicnble relations. 1t is
hxpected, however, that the report will
be promptly made. Its purport is al
ready anticipated, No one In govern
ment circles In Washington expects that
the Chileans in their present frame of
mind will acknowledge that they are in
Che wrong Any amount of testimony
EM probably be presented TO show that
the sailors We're murdered in a street
row in which both the Chileans and the
Americans were equally to blame.
CulIom Says Fight.
Very few persons of prominence who
were asked for an opinion about the
present aspect of affairs wonld allow
hheir names to be used. Senator Ed
munds and Senator Cullom were among
the exceptions. The former had an in
teoyiew with Secretary Tracy. He told
reporter that he was sure this goyern-
ment would be firm and Just, and would
do the right thing in the right way. He
paid he hoped the Chileans would be
reasonable enough aud sensible enough
10 act proper. Senator Cullom said that
the situation looked ugly, and he thought
the United States would be obliged to
tcach Chile a lesson. If the Chileans
did not change their tactics at once the
only thing for this country to do was to
send our war ships down there, "and give
them the mischief"
Naval Officers Anticipate War
Nearly all the naval officers who have
served III Chilean waters believe that
SuAlo WOllu tISdEt uOSlllllleS
with the United States than offer the
semblance of an apology. 1t is the Chill
Fan nature, they say, to have things
their own way or fight, and these officers
pretend TO believe that unless the United
states backs down actual hostilities can
not be avoided A diplomatist said to-
day he could not see how actual hostil-
ities could be avoided, and in this event
no great naval engagement in Chilean
waters need be looked for. The Chill
cans, he said, looked for loud sounding
glory and they would send one or two Of
their best ships to the Pacific coast. The
Chilean bravado was insane, and before
Chilean arrogance could be laid in the
dust infinite damage would be done to
American coast cities.
SANTIAGO, Oct. 31.--A new feature of
the Valparaiso incident which needs ex-
PLANTATION has just developed. The Off
ctals in Valparaiso having charge of the
Investigation of the assault on American