The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-30
THE GILLIAN WAR SCARE.
THE SITUATION KALEIDOsCoPIC
a Clash of Arms With Chill Considered Very
Improbsbie-The Matter Discussed
mt n Cabinet Meeting.

fomenting trouble. In some quarters the
idea is that money might be made out Of war
with Chill.
President Harrison is playing the war
cloud" for all its worth politically. While
the officials OF the War and Navy Depart
ments seem 10 decrv the war rumors they
shake their heads as If signifying we don't
know what may happen" But after
all there is no feeling of apprehension.
The Chilian Minister who is a man
OF intelligence. says his people do
not want war and are not thinking Of such
an alternatives that there is n Wild rabble IN
Chla composed OF irresponsible elements
which shouts war and utters threats, and
that these vaporings are regularly cabled TO
this country as representing Chilan
sentiment lie says the authorities
and the business interests. IN fact all solid
citizens desire an early settlement OF all dis
putes IN order that Chill under a government
OF It's own choosing may push ahead and at
tain the prosperity its resources warrant
As the minister says, there is every
lnducement for Chill TO seek peace. II should
be borne in mind. too. that the new govern
ment IS scarcely organized. 10 Is safe to pre-
dict that IN due time. and IN an orderly man
ner. the controversy with the United States
will be adjusted.
The sensation mongers are endoavoring 10
speak for Mexico, to the effect that that Gov
ernment VIII be provoked so war because this
Government ha4 not already expelled Garcia
and his revolutiOnists from the Texan border
The Mexican minister does not thus speak for
his government lie appreciates that this
Government is using al the force at its i'm
mediate command 10 either capture Garcia
and his band or. drive them from our soil.
The changes in the Chlian situation
are Kaleidoscope and instantaneous in
their nature and 60 from one extreme
a ha It Ia
radically different from anything else
than the sentiment about the State, War and
Navy Departments Yesterday from that of to-
day. Then Il was all hustle and the feeling
was decidedly pugnacious. To-day the de-
partments are comparatively deserted, and 1t
IS felt that the possibility OF war is very re-
mote. Yesterday the corridors and
ante-rooms were filled with states
men and diplomats. To-day there
were scarcely enough around 81 prevent the
place from presenting an almost deserted
look OF news there was absolutely none
although something was promised from the
State Department later IN the day, while
rumOrs were almost as scarce. Senator Allison,
ofthe Appropriations Committee, Representa-
tive Lodge of the House Naval Committee.
and Representative Brewer, % North caro-
lima We're Secretary TIacy's only visitors be-
fore the Cabinet met, while Secretary Blaine
had none at al aside from the departmental
officials
1t is generally understood about the State
Department that on Cabinet days the Secre-
tary will see no one, except by previous en-
gagement so that callers on those days are
infrequent Around the Navy Department
it was limited that the cause of the sudden
subsistence OF the war talk was due to the
fact that Congress could not be depended on
for supplying the necessary funds TO carry on
q campaign against Cbiil, that IN fact it pro
bably would not give 1t. consent 10 the
Iaaiu urntf ION nf gg that y.
What authority existed for this opinion was
not stated il seemed to be in the air, but was
more substantial than mere wind.
Sentiment IN the state department credited
the peaceful condition of things TO the intu-
ence OF English interests in Chill. which IN
business sense are paramount. 10 was SAID
that the Chllan authorities would be told
plainly that England wouid not suHer them
TO leopardiZe the prospects of her subjects IN
Chill and the late conquered terrlt ~ OF
Peru. as a conflict with the United States
certainly woulddo and that therefore an am
icable understanding must be reached with
this government In this connection, the
visit of Sir Julian fauncefOte. the British
Minister, to Alr. Blaine. which immediately
preceded the lengthy conference between the
Secretary and Minister Montt Yesterday, Is
regarded SIS significant.
The Cabinet meeting to-day. at which all
the members were present, except Secretary
flkins was unusually long. and 1t Is under
stood Chiian aiIans formed the principal
tonic of discussion. IL any change Of policy
or view occurred IN the light of latest lnfor-
nation received from Valparaiso. 1t has not
transpred.
CHII1AN5 so MATCH FOR OUR MN.
A prominent ermy officer who served on
the ataif of one oi the great generals IN the
late war and has @ personal. knowledge +
South America gained from his travels and
service on that continent, talks about the
situation freely. Ills opinions are deserving
OF consideration on account OF hls extended
military experience and his familiarity with
the country.
"The only possible alternative in this mat
fer are reparatiOn from Chill OF war. he
said "Fr0m what know of those people /
think that IL is out of the question 20
expect an apology from them and that
they are Just spOihng Tor hSht.
OF course, the army would take
prominent part IN case Of war, a. 10
woulc no doubt be thought advisable 20 have
a force for land operations. The only ports
of Chill ARE Valparaiso and lquique. Peru
would only be too glad OF an opportunity 20
ally herself with any strong nation against
Chill and her ports might be available 10 us.
IouiQue itself was taken from Peru by the
Chilians ard she would be eager to enter
any fight which would give her chance 70
REGAIN her lost territory. The talk about
Chill being "A difficult country for military
oppraflOns ls n mistake. II dOcs not compare
with our Western States in that respect. All
OF the necessary supplies would be right nc
hend. All we need would be right at
hand All we would have TO DO would
he to capture them. 10 would be Just
like fighting the Mexicans, only further away.
As far as the personnel of the two forces IS
concerned there would be no comparison.
Our officers are infinitely superior q the
Chilians in every requirement for modern
warfare Their training IS TAR ahead. The
Cbilians might be good IN a rough and tum-
bic fight. but for scientific operations they
would be nowhere"
NOT LOOKING FOR WAR.
SAN DIEGO. CAL. Dec 29.-According 10
Admiral Brown. who Is now here with the
san Francisco. the cruiser Charleston lett
Honolulu for Acapulco. Whether the Charles
ION will come north or 90 south from Acapulco
the Admiral declined 10 say.
in regard TO extra ammunition on board
ths San Francisco Captain Simpson SAYS:
I'VE have enough 70 I'll up the Charleston
and Baltimore and put them IN campaign
condition.
II is believed here that the San Francisco
has orders 20 remain at this port until diplO-
matte relations with Chill take one turn or
the other, and that her disposition IN the
future will depend upon tho turn those diplo-
matic relations take The Baltimore is ex-
nected here about Thursday.
Admiral Brown says he has no reason 60 ex-
meet war with Chill lie Will await further
rriars from Washington