The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-30
READY TO DECLARE WAR
CHILE TO BE GIVEN ONLY UNTIL.
NEXT "WEDNESDAY TO REPLY.

The Whole Subject Discussed by the
Caoinet-A Belief That England and
Germany Will See TO It That Chile
Makes Proper Amends-war Pre-
psrations stil Denied.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The administra-
tion is awaiting for Chiles answer and pre-
pairing for war in case it should be unsatis-
factory, or should not come to time. Moth
ing had been received from Chile, either
through Minister Egan or Minister Montt,
except general assurances up to
late this. evening. The cabinet at the
unusually long meeting held to-day, when
for the first time in weeks all the members
OF the cabinet were present, Secretary
Elkins being the only absentee, had no
views to discuss. but went over the
old information very carefully.
WAR MAY BE DECL AIRED WEDNESDAY.
There was no dissent from the Presidents
decision that II by next week Wednesday a
favorable answer had not been received
from Chile, or definitely indicated that the
warllke demonstrations should be made at
Valparaiso and the facts brought before
congress in as special message asking a
declaration of war. The preparations for
that contingency, which are so sedulously
concealed from the public as far as they
can possibly be. were openly and thoroughly
explained to the cabinet by Secretary
Tracy, who has directed them all for the
Fresldent. and were discussed at length.
THE HOPEFUL FEATURES.
At the same time the President and SEQ
retary Blaine presented the hopeful feat
ures OF the situation as clearly as they
could, putting emphasis, of course, not so
much on the pacific assurances of the
Montts as upon the intimations which they
have received that England and Germany,
to protect their own interests. will see to it
that Chile makes the amende honorable. The
Chilean minister, Of course, makes the plea
for his cousin, the president, that until he
gets cabinet he cannot be said to have a
government answerable 60 the United
States, but it is understood that the admin
issratien will net be put Off with this excuse.
Prompt satisfaction from Chile, or the al
tentative, is the administraton's idea.
EGAN's REFUGEES.
One Of the puzxling problems discussed
at the cabinet meeting to-day was what to
do with the refugees In the American lega-
tion at Valparaiso II war is declared. The
Chilean government would grant Minister
Egaa q safe conduct out of the country In
accordance with recognized international
usage, but the government might not feel
obliged to grant any such safe con-
duct to the refugees who have
sought shelter in the legation,
and the moment Minister Egan withdrew
and carried the American flag with him
the refugees would be at the mercy of the
Chilean mob. How TO project them. or get
them safely out Of the country if war was
declared against Chile, was too difficult a
problem for William Henry Harrison Miller
to solve when it was raised to-day, aud war
may be delayed to give time for him to
solve it.
A REGULAR WHITE ELEPHANT.
The refugees have proved white
elephant all along, and Minister
Egan has been nearly bankrupted
by their demands for the best wines and
cigars, while enjoying his hospitality. They
naturally feel no particular interest in the
vindication of the honor of the United
States, on account of the killing of our sail
ors, and are strongly in favor of peace at
any price. War means to them the loss of
their asylum, ana the vengeance Of the
country which they tried to turn over to
the military tyrrany of Bameceda.
NOT INVITED TO THE INAUGURATION.
Late dispatches from Minister Egan inti-
mate that he was not invited to the inau-
guration Of President Montt. His dispatch
does not state in terms that the other
foreign ministers were invited, but it is
presumed they were The correspondence
between Minister Egan and the state de-
partment from the beginning of the pre-
sent trouble is being copied at the state de-
partmept and will be transmitted to con-
gress as soon as the work is completed. pro-
baby next week. A member Of congress
who has had look at some of it says that
some Of IL is mighty spicy reading. The
correspondence itself will not call for any
particular action by congress, but will ena-
bic the members to become familiar with
all the facts and to be ready to act promptly
when the President sends in his special
message recommending a declaration of
war.
GEN. MILES REACHES WASHINGTON.
By the associated Press
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Maj. Gen. Miles.
accompanied by Mrs. Miles, arrived here
this afternoon and he went Immediately to
his quarters at the Shoreham. The general
declined 90 comment on the Chilean situa-
tion or the trouble with the Cara revolu-
tionists on the Mexican border, but denied
emphatically that he had been ordered here
by the war department.. He came, he said,
to attend the wedding tomorrow evening
of Miss Rachel Sherman, daughter Of
Senator Sherman, and a relative of him
self. He expects TO remain here for few
days after the wedding. The Chilean stu
alton remains unchanged.
NO wARLIKE PREPARATIONS.
The afternoon was absolutely without
an incident that could be dis
torted into relation to warlike
Secretary Blaine did not re-
turn to the department of state after the
cabinet meeting and Senor Montt, the
Chilean minister, did not make his appear
from Minister Egan. and the air of quie-
the present attitude |
to Chile, as shown by the Presidents mes
sage to congress in this paragraph: "This |
government is now awaiting the results of |
an investigation which has been conducted |
by the criminal court of Valparaiso. 1t is |
expected that the result will soon be COM |
municated to this government, together |
with some adequate and satisfactory re-
sponse to the note by which the attention |
Of Chile was called TO this incident. If |
those Just expectations should be disap- |
pointed, or further needless delay inter yene.
/ will, by special message, bring the matter |
again to the attention OF congress for such |
action as may be necessary"
CHILE STILL PoNDERING.
Such unofficial advices as have been re- |
ceived here are TO the effect that the legal |
authorities at Valparaiso have not COM |
pIeted the revision of the formal proceed |
ings of Justice Foster. Just how long these |
legal formalities may be protraoted before |
they may be regarded as causing further