The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-26
chile Nous, Make Reparation.


There Is no doubt that the government is
preparing 10 enforce its demand for
PREPARATION for the insult to the American
flag and the outrage upon the sailors Of
the American cruiser Baltimore by Chile
| ans at Valparaiso. In our dispatches yes
terday it was stated that on Thursday the
/ Secretary Uf the Navy, having just returned
! from New York, bad long interview with
the President relative to the progress OF the
preparations for a naval demonstration at
Valparaiso. Il Is still hoped, however,
that the new Chilean government will con-
slider IL advisable 10 respond faYorably to
the demand for rsparation.
One thing that Is regarded as significant
is the silence that is maintained at both the
navy and the state departments relative to
communications which are supposed to have
been received within the last few days from
Minister Egsn, our minister TO Chile, and
to the preparations of the government for
making a demonstration Of force in Chilean
waters. A couple of weeks ago all the
news concerning Chilean matters was given
out freely. Now, however. nothing what
ever can be obtained from them
The impression seems to be entertained to
some extent that Chile does not intend to
make any reparation unless forced to do so,
and that she is now seeking to gain sufficient
time to put her navy In a condition to resist
an attack upon Valparaiso. She has sew
eral frst-class warships and she may enter
tain the belief that they are fully able to
cope with all the warships this country can
send against her. If that "a her belief it
may not be long before It is changed. This
country hasn't very big navy, but what
there Is Of IL is in excellent condition.
II Is expected that the President, imme-
diately after the holidays. will send a special
| message to congress that will contain all Of
/ the correspondents between this govern.
ment aud the government Of Chile respect
| ing the differences between the two govern
menss growing out OF the Valparaiso affair.
| There is considerable anxiety to see this
correspondence. 1t Is expected that among
other things It will show that Minister Egan
is not exactly the man for the position he
| occupies.
Stories are told Of bis career In Chile which
| are far from creditable to him. There may
be no foundation for them, and the Presi-
| dent In his message limited there was not.
| However. it is advisable that the public
! should know whether or not he is partly or
| wholly responsible for the hostility Of the
Chileans to this country. 1t Is not at all
| improbable that he is TO some extent 1t
seems to be quite certain that he was a
warm fFisnd Of Belmsceda, the late presi-
dent. and that fact may have given
| rise 30 the story that the recent civil war
was due largely TO differences about nitrate
beds, and that he had an interest In them
l with Balmaceda.
No doubt che truth with regard to Min
lister Egan's career in Chile will come out
very soon. II he has been untrue to the
interests Of this government the fact will be
made known. There is pretty wide
| spread belief now that be was not a fit man
to send to Chile aud that his appointment
had political purpose which has not yet ap-
peared upon the surface in any authoritative
| shape.
II ia the impression in Washington that
the President will withhold his message TO
| congress relative TO Chilean matters until
the Secretary OF the Navy has completed
bis preparations for a prompt demonstra-
ton OF force in case such a demonstration
should be regarded as necessary.