The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-29

VINO would certainly be in a position To
AHO", mad any information of an intention
70 appoint Gen. Miles to command the
army IN the event Of war with Chile. In
TACT tne only sign Of warlike preparations
visible at the executive department con-
sisted sisted IA an order issued Saturday for the
immediate preparation Of the new l2-inch
gun JUST completed at the navy yard here
LOr transportation to California together
with $1,000 pounds of prismatic powder
and 900 6-inch shells.
MoNTT CALLS ON BLAINE.
senior Montt, the Chilean minister, called
az the department Of state at noon. He was
Immediately shown into Secretary Blaine's
private Office, and had an interview with
ene secretary. lasting half an hour. It was
impossible to get more than hint of what
passed between the secretary and the min
ister during the interview, but that is prob
aply sufnclent 20 warrant the supposition
tnas matters are not proceeding in a man.
her as satisfactory to the govern
ment OF the United States
as could be desired. Notwithstanding the
TACT that Secretary Blaine is now dealing
almost entirely directly with the Chilean
minister, instead of with his government
through the Intervention OF Minister Egau.
IL does not appear that the result has been
saving or time, and there is no reason to
suspect that the secretary is chafng at the
delay he encounters In securing a final re-
sponse to the representations made by this
government concerning the Baltimore's
men.
THE NAVAL COMMITTEE.
During the afternoon Representation
Lodge and Boutwell, called at the navy de-
partment. They are both republican mem~
pers OF the House committee on naval
AFFAIRS, the chairman Of which, Representa-
tive Herbert, is absent from the city. Un-
less the House Of Representatives recurs to
the old Randall rules the naval committee
will retain in it's charge all matters relating
to appropriations for the naval serv-
ice, while in the Senate the con-
current action of the committee on
appropriations and the committee on naval
affairs is usually necessary to secure pro-
vision for any naval expenditures Secre-
tary Tracy has been in communication
with members of each of these committees
during the day. but for what purpose is not
definitely known. An officer of the de-
partment. speaking of the consultations,
said: 1T means Just this, that we are
abiding by George Washington's maxim,
in time of peace prepare for war, We do
not believe there will be war, but if the ad-
mnistration failed TO exercise all of its
powers in the matter of preparation it
would be open to severe criticism if hos
tilities actually ensue.
A CRUISER AT SAN DIEGO.
News reached the navy department this
afternoon that the cruiser San Francisco
had arrived at San Diego, Cal, and was at
anchor in the harbor. 1t was rumored that
she would await the Charleston at that place
and transfer to the latter vessel certain
munitions of war which she carried from
San Francisco.
An official of the state department said
tonight that 80 far as he was aware nothing
had been received from Minister Egan since
the inauguration of President Montt The
Chilean minister, also, yet remains officially
unadvised OF anything pertaining to the
inauguration. Secretary Tracy said to-
night that the United States steamer San
Francisco, which has arrived at San Diego,
CAL, was there for the purpose of engaging
in target practice. He said, further, that
no other orders had been issued to her COM
mander.