The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-11-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON ID G. Nov. 2. 1901.

pie will persist in saying does not ex-
ist, crops out a. all times. The latest
statement by the friends Of Mr.. Blaine
is, that if Mr. Harrison had been CON
tent to wait 4S hours for the arrival of
Mr.. Blaine, instead of himself hurriedly
preparing the demand made of the
Chiian junta, the administration would
not to-day be in its present awkward
predicament. They contend that Mr.
Blaine would have drawn up the doc
ument SO that the Chilians would have
found it impossible to have answered
in the manner they did that of Mr.
Harrison, and charge that Mr.. Harri-
sons reason for hurrying the matter
was that he thought to obtain some
popularity by posing as the champion
of American interests abroad which
might otherwise have gone to his Sec
retary Of State.
Speculation as to the outcome of
the Chilian difficulty is the principal
occupation of good many people in
Washington at this time, and not a
few of them including all the officers
in the Navy, where promotion is slow
in time of peace, are heartily wishing
for war, notwithstanding our poorly
PREPARED condition for war, even with
a weak power like Chill. Secretary
Tracy admits that few even of our new
vessels are properly prepared to fight
and that something is lacking in either
the equipment or armament of every
one of them besides, we would find
it very difficult to maintain fleet in
Chilian waters without single coaling
station in that section Of the world.
However, it is not probable, although
possible. that we shall go to war with
Chill. Senor Montt, the Chilian Min
ister here, is confident that an agree
ment mutually satisfactory will be
reached after his government has fin
ished the investigation it is making in.
to the fight of the mob, but advices
from Chill do not indicate that such
an opinion is entertained there.
Republicans admit that Mr.. Blaine
would like very much to get Minister
Egan out OF Chill, being fully satisfied
that he made a mistake in sending him
there, but they say he will not be re-
called while the relations between the
two countries are in such strained
condition as at present, unless it shall
be determined by the administration
to break off all diplomatic relation with
Chill, and that will not be done unless
it becomes absolutely necessary in or
der to maintain the position assumed
by the administration in its original
demand upon Chill.
Just little more than $4,000, 900
Of the matured Al per cent bonds are
now outstanding, and not far from ten
per cent of them are in the hands Of
the U. S. Treasurer to secure parts Of
the circulation of less than a dozen
national banks. These banks have been
requested to have these bonds extend
ed at two per cent, which would make
them available as security for their
circulation, and which would also
please Secretary Foster, inasmuch as
it would mean several hundred thous-
and dollars more to help to meet the
appropriation of the billion dollar Con-
gress.
The Naval Court of Inquiry into the
loss of the U. S S. Despatch has been
holding daily sittings here for nearly a
week, but the amount of actual infor
nation it has brought out might easily
have been developed in sitting Of
one hour. Briefly stated the testimony
of those on the boat is all to the effect
that the vessel was lost because Lieut..
Noel, the executive officer, changed
the sailing orders of the commander
Lieut.. Cowles, after he had retired,
and that this change was justihable be-
cause light which should have shown
white, from lighthouse, appeared to
be red which indicated that it was ab-
oard Of a certain lightship. The most
amusing incident connected with In
luiry was when a batch of sailors, who
had served on the Despatch, were
brought before the Court, and after
having the sworn statement Of the Com
mander read to them, were asked if
that statement was correct. OF course
everybody knew what the answer would
be. These men are still in the navy,
and none of them would be foolish
enough to contradict any statement
made by an officer, even if they knew
to certainty that the statement was
incorrect, which, please understand, it
is not my intention to even intimate,
not having any better source of infor-
nation than the testimony before the
court. 1t is only the absurdity of ex-
pecting enlisted men to disagree with
their commander, to which attention is
called by the incident.
Secretary Foster was the only mem
Der of the cabinet that went on the
stump during the State campaigns just
closed.