The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-12-30
BRITISH INTERESTS.
They May Have an Effect on the
Saucy 0hileans.
SUDDEN sUBsIDENoE OF WAR TALK.

A Prominent Army Officer, However.
Whose Experience Gives Weight
to His Opinions, Intimates That
War u Sure to Come. as tho Chill
cans Are Spelling for Fight.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.-The changes
in the situation Of the Chilean affair are
Kaleidoscope and instantaneous in their
nature, and go from one extreme to
another. None could be more radically
different than this sentiment about
state, war and navy building yards from
that of yesterday. Then was all hustle,
and the feeling was decidedly pugnacious.
The departments now are comparatively
deserted, and look as though the posi-
bility of war is very remote. Around
the navy department it is limited that
the cause of the sudden subsistence of
war talk was due to the fact that con-
gress could not be depended on for sup
plying the necessary funds to carry on
q campaign against Chile What au-
thority there is for this statement was
not stated. 1t seemed to be in the air,
but was more substantial than mere
wind.
British Interests In Chile.
Sentiment in the state department
credited the peaceful condition of things
to the influence of the English in
Chile. 1t is said that the Chilean au-
thorities would be told plainly that
England would not s'GSr them to
jeopardize the interests Of rs subjects in
Chile and the lately conquered territory
of Peru, as a conflict with the United
States certainly would do, and that
therefore an amicable understanding
must be reached with this government.
In this connection the visit of Sir Julian
Pauncefote, the British minister, to Mr..
Blaine, which Immediately preceded the
lengthy conference between the secre-
tary and Minister Montt Monday, is re-
garded as significant. The cabinet
meeting yesterday, at which all mem
bers were present except Secretary Ell
kins, was unusually large, and it is un-
derstood that Chilean affairs formed the
principal topic of discussion. Ii any
change of policy or view occurred in the
light of theslatest information from Val
paraiso it has not transpired.
An Army Omcer's View.
A prominent army officer who served
on the staff of one of the great generals
in the rebellion, and has personal
from his travels and service on that con-
tinent, talks about the situation freely.
His opinions are deserving of Considera-
ion on account OF his extended military
experience and his familiarity with the
country. 1.-The only possible alterna-
tives in this matter are reparation from
Chile or war;" he said, From what
know of the people think it is out of the
question to expect an apology from them,
and they are just spelling for a fight.
OF course the army would take proni-
nent part in case of war, as it would no
doubt be thought advisable to have q
force for land operations.
Peru Would Take a Hand.
"The only ports Of Chile are Valpa-
raiso and Iquique. Peru would be only
too glad Of an opportunity to ally her
self with any strong nation against
Chile, and her ports might be available
20 us. Iquique itself was taken from
feru by the Chileans, and she would be
eager to enter into a fight which would
give her chance to regain her lost ter
ritory. The talk about Chile being a
difficult country for military operations
Is mistake. 1t does not compare with
our western states in that respect All
of the necessary supplies would be right
at hand. All we would have to do
would be to capture them. Tt 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. Onr officers
are infinitely superior to the Chileans in
every requirement for modern warfare.
Their training is far ahead. The Chill
cans might be good in rough aud tum-
BILE fight, but for scientific operations
they would be nowhere