The morning call., 1891-12-25
Recruits Being Sent to Western
Regiments.
Washington Cf1eials anticipate Serious
Trouble Soon With Chile.
General SChOaeld Summoned Before tbe Cab
in8t-AGtiYiy at The NdYy-YardS.
COaliHg Station Needed


CHICAGO. Dec. PA Washington special
saws: There are some facts that point
strongly to the probability of war. The
War Department is forwarding recruits in
squads Of forty and fifty as rapidly as pos
sible TO fill the complement of regiments in
the far West and on the Pacific Coast. Gen.
eral Schofeid says 10000 men are available
TO send cut Of the country, but no more
could be spared from the regular army
Gun carriages are being shipped to San
Francisco in sections, and guns Will follow
at an early date.
General Schofeld has been twice sum-
moned before the Cabinet, and gives it as
his opinion that if 10000 men were sent out
of the country it would be quite possible to
fill their places in the regular army at home
by temporary enlistments from the militia.
A certain quota of regulars, equipped for
actual service at the army posts, are to be
called for from each State. In case the
10000 men to be transported TO Chile should
not be enough, 1t is reported the President
may call for 10000 volunteers for the war.
ACTIVITY IN NAVAL CIRCLES.
NEW YORK, Dec. "a - The Telegram
prints a long, sensational story on the
probability of war with Chile based on the
present extraordinary activity at the Brook
lyn Nayy-yard. Commandant Erben OF the
yard received a big bundle of official orders
from Washington this morning. He locked
himself up in his Office and gave orders that
no ons should be admitted until he had d.
gested and answered his mail. An orderly
refused to take in a card. "Is Secretary
Tracy iuside?" was asked. NO" said he,
" the Secretary has not been here"
Secrecy is the rule every where in official
quarters, but actions speak louder than
words, and the visible evidence at the navy
yard tells its own story just as well as the
lips OF the commandaut could do if unsealed.
"NO one can tell whether this means war or
not" said naval officer this morning, but
Of one thing you may be certain, the Navy
Department has been active and wide awake
for months"
ARRANGING FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 24-Representatve
Holman. Chairman of the House Appropri-
ations Committee, was handed a note
marked personal and cOnidentinl," yester-
day. 1t was from Secretary Blaine, and
soon afterward the watchdog" Of the
Treasury was clOseted with the Secretary,
who Informed him that his presence in
Washington would be desired early in the
year. as the President would then want to
consult with him about some extraordinary
appropriations that might be wanted at
once. 1t is said that Mr.. Holman's pres"
ence In Washington before Congress re-
conYenes is required so that he may b. able
to carefully prepare any appropriation bills
made necessary by the rather squally out
look.
The Navy Department is informed that
the United States steamers Chicago. Atlanta
and Bennington arrived at Barbados yes
terday, on their way 10 MOnteyideo.
THE SITUATION IN CHILE.
New YORK, Dec. 24.-1he Herald's VAL
paTaiso special cablegram says: News was
received at Santiago to-day that Secretary
Blaine has Informed Minister Montt that
the Baltimore affair will be the subject of a
full and free discussion between them at
Washington.
For the past few days there has been a
great deal of talk about an uprising of the
supporters OF Balmaceda. and especially on
the part Of the officers of the dead dictator s
army. The Government has adopted the
utmost precautions. There are also stories
of a plot t. kill President Montt and other
leading officials, bat such an attempt seems
certain to prove disastrous to those who un-
dortake it.
Congress to-day proclaimed Montt MS
President. The correspondent predicts that
the Cabinet Will include Luc3s as Minister
Foreign Affairs. Edwards will probably
remain Minister of Public Works.
the President ErraZuZlZ, the new Chilean
war-ship, arrived yesterday.
AMNESTY GRANTED TO OFFENDERS.
LONDON, Dec. 24.-The Times Santiago
correspondent says: The text of President
Harrison's speech made when receiving the
Chilean Minister produced an excellent i'm
preston here, except as regards some minor
points.
The provisional Government to-day, be-
fore resigning, presented to the Senate an
amnesty law In favor of all Balmacedists
except those accused by Congress, few
military chiefs and common criminals
This was done despite the knowledge Of the
efforts of the refugees at the American Le-
CATION to create disturbance.
Tue magistrates report of the Baltimore
sailors riot shows that the police did their
duty, and two Chileans were found guilty of
stabbIng, but sentence was deferred.
CoALING STATION NEEDED.
PANAMA, Dec. 24.-The Star and Herald
says: The United States Government is
said to be endeavOTing to secure a cOaling
station in the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador
to whom these Islands belong, practically
abandoned them, and is stated to be now
willing TO sell, being actually In negotia
ton with the State Department at Wash
ington, looking to an early transfer of hel
rights TO the Americans at a handsome Zig.
ure. The American navy has long needed
such station somewhere off the Central oil
South American coasts, and if Ecuador
really wishes to sell, now is the opportunity
to acquire.