The record-union., 1891-12-07


OF the most important advances in naval
development for years. 1t is expected
tnat successful experiments with the
Howell torpedo viii be made soon, and
the Hall torpedo is approaching compile
ton. Three Patrick torpedoes which
We're ordered three years ago have been
delivered
Important work has been done in the
preparation of launching tubes and other
details connected with the use of torpe-
does. and the present state of the work is
such as to justify the belief that torpedo
outfits may be installed on board our
vessels within short period, and that
the torpedo equipments of our navy will
soon equal If not surpass those possessed
by other nations.
Active investigation has been made of
torpedo defense, nets, etc., and two of the
latter-one made in America and the
other OF the most improved foreign type
have been procured with a view Of test
ing them.
The dynamite vessel Vesuvius will
have another trial soon, certain changes
having been made
GUN FACTORIES.
On the ordnance establishments the
Secretary says: The development of gun
factories has been continued during the
year and many improvements made.
The growing demands for naval defense
on the Pacific Coast, and the great expense
entailed by the transportation of heavy
ordnance freights across the continent,
point to the absolute necessity of estab-
fishing in the near future an ordnance
factory at some point in that neighbor-
hood. Such establishment should be
under general control of the war and
navy departments and do the work of
both. There Is no reason, says the Sec
retary, why such an establishment should
not duplicate the success which has been
achieved at Washington.
THE CHILE INCIDENT.
The past twelve months has given the
vessels of the navy more active employ
ment than they have seen for many years,
especially in the Pacific. The demands on
the fleet mas been numerous and constant.
The Secretary details the work of the
various vessels now in commission. Com
ing down to the assault on the Baltimore
men i'll Valparaiso, the Secretary details
the story as it has already been told in
this country, and says the sailors during
the attack were without arms, and, there
fore, defenseless. OF the men arrested
and examined all were discharged, there
being no proof of any violation of peace
on their part.
The Judicial investigation into the con-
dition Of the. men failed to show a single
one found drunk or disorderly. 1t is
clear that their only offense lay in wear
ing the uniform of the country to which
they belonged. Whether the attacks
upon the Seamen Of the Baltimore were
preconcerted or not, their real cause can
only be found in the bitter hostility of
the Chileans toward the United States.
The feeling is largely due to the false and
malicious accusations which have been
put forth at Iquique and later at Valpa-
raiso in reference to the action of the
navy of the United States during the
progress Of the revolution. 1t is due to
the navy to state that so far from having
given cause for such feeling, it's conduct
under the instructions of the department,
in every respect, has been fair, just and
temperate.
The Secretary then gives a copy of the
letter of instructions sent on March 10Th
last to Admiral McCann, and afterward
to Admiral Brown. After receiving
through the State Department advices
from the Balmacedan Government rep
reSentative in Washington of the revolt of
division of the Chilean navy, declaring
is outlawed, ETC., this letter of instruction
declared, in part:
1.-The insurgent vessels, although out
lawed by the Chilean Government, are
not pirates committing acts of piracy.
in the troubles further than to protect
American interests. Take whatever
measures that are necessary to prevent
injury by insurgent vessels to the lives
or property of American citizens, includ-
ing American telegraph cables. En-
deayor to delay bombardment by the in
surgents until American citizens and
property are removed, using force, if
necessary, only as last resort, and when
serious injury is threatened. American
vessels seized by insurgents, without sat-
lSfactory compensation, are liable to be
recovered forcibly, but you should inves-
tigate the matter fully before taking ex-
treme measures, and use every precau-
ton to avoid such measures, if possible -
The instructions continue at much
length to define the course to be pursued
by the Admirals, enlarging upon the
points mentioned above. On the point OF
neutrality they are told to abstain from
any proceedings which shall be in the
nature of assistance to either party in the
present disturbance, or from which SYM
pathy with either party could be entered
AS to the granting of asylum to polit-
ical refugees the instructions say: 1.-The
obligation to receive political refugees
and afford them asylum is, in general.
one of pure humanity. 1t should not be
continued beyond the urgent necessities
of the situation, and should in no case be-
came the means whereby the plans of the
contending factions or their leaders are
courage such refugees to come on board
your ship, but, should they apply to you,
your action will be governed by consid-
erations of humanity and exigencies OF
the service upon which you are engaged
When, however, political refugee has
embarked, in the territory of the third
power, on board an American ship, as
passenger for the purposes of innocent
transit, and it appears upon the entry oi
/ such ship into territorial waters that his
| life is in danger, it is your duty to extend
him an offer of asylum"
In closing the instructions say: "In
all eases where it becomes necessary to
take forcible measures, force will only be
used as last resort, and then only to the
extent necessary to effect the object in
view.
''These instructions" says the report,
(which were prepared in the Navy De-
partment and carefully considered by the
cabinet, show conclusiyely that the navy
was directed to preserve an attitude OF
absolute fairness and impartiality. So
strongly did this disposition prevail
among the officers themselves that before
the instructions were issued Admiral
McCann had already, upon his arrival on
the station, published a general order
| enjoining the officers and men to main
/ tain the strictest neutrality, to abstain
| from discussing or criticising the present
unfortunate state of affairs in Chile, and
! in no way to express any sentiments OF
opinions, either favorable or unfavorable
! to either side.
with such spirit animating the Com
mander-in-C Chief, there is no doubt the
instructions of the department were car
ried out to the letter. In these instruc-
tions the implied assumption by the
Chilean Government that insurgent yes
sells should be regarded as outlaws was
repudiated and strict neutrality was
commanded. So careful was the depart
/ ment to prevent any erroneous conclu.
sions that might be drawn by the officers
as to the character of these vessels. that