The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-11-05
The GILLIAN SITUATION.
SENIOR M0NTT MAKES A BLUNDER TN
DIPLOMATIC COURTESY
ne proceeds to Transact Business With the
navy Department Utterly Ignoring the
superior Claims of Secretary Blaine.
No New Developments.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. alag
sing interest inthe CHILEAN affair was
revived in measure this morning by
the visit of Senior Don Pedro Montt to
the Navy Department. He came
about half past ten and re-
manned with Secretary Tracy for
an hour. Meanwhile messengers
mad been sent to the department.
OF state, who reported that Secretary
Blaine was with the president at the
white house. The secretary of state
arrived at the state department. about
ll:3O o'clock, and messenger
promptly notified Secretary Tracy,
who Immediately escorted Senior
Montt to Secretary Blaine's office.
Inc Two secretaries and the CHILEAN
minister were closeted for just fifteen
minutes and then Senior Montt return
ed to the legation.
OF course it is impossible to learn
officially the object of Senior Months
visit. There was some comment upon
the call upon Secretary Tracy,
W. tOhOl5h ODStENdDI
of official proprieties, usually
transact any business they may have
with the government to which they
are accredited solely through the sec
rotary OF state. This departure from
the usual practice by Senior Montt
today is accounted for on the ground
of inexperience in diplomatic formali-
ties. There is reason to be ieve that
Senior Months visit has reference to
the inquiry now being made at VAL
paraiso into the assault upon the Bal
timore's sailors, and that in behalf of
the CHILEAN government he sought to
secure the testimony of some
of the American sailors as
contained in report of Captain
Schley's board of officers. AS the
CHILEAN inquiry is being conducted in
secrecy and as Captain Schley was not
permitted to have any of his officers
present during the examination of the
arrested American sailors, the United
States government has felt bound to
decline to permit it's sailors to give it |
further testimony. If, however, the |
conduct of investigation is changed |
and the proceedings are made public |
to the world, Captain Schley will al
low testimony to be taken by the
CHILEAN authorities aboard his vessel
or will send his sailors ashore to testi-
fy in his desire to establish the truth.
Secretary Tracy today said that
there was no warrant for sensational
warlike dispatches at this time. The
United States government has re-
quested an investigation of the assault
upon the Baltimore's sailors. The in
vestigation is being made, and nothing
can be done until the results are
known. He saw no reason for any APP
prehension in the minds of the Ameri-
can public. The secretary's view is
evidently shared by the officials
of the Department of State, who
look with amusement upon what
they regard as the clumsily
disguised efforts of q certain
element of the English press to pre-
vent serious trouble between the
United States and Cnil. In the effort
made toward the establishment Of
close political and trade relations be-
tween the United States and South |
American republics by the Pan
American conference.
The ordinance bureau announced |
this morning that in four months, the
harbor defense vessel, Monterey, now
being built at San Francisco,
will be quite ready for
service. She now lacks her guns and
armour. The former are finished at
the foundry in this city and one OF
two 12 inch rifles will be tested this
week at Indian Head. The armor
plates are being delivered and tested.
The Monterey will, in the opinion of
naval authorities, be the most formid-
able craft in the American navy and
with the possible exception of the
Monitor Puritan which is also nearing
completion.