The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-29
Work on Warship Monterey to
Go on Night and Day.
MONTT WOULD ARBITRATE.
Reason Why Minister Egan Didn't
Attend the Inauguration.
Diego, and Probably the Charleston
AT the Navy Department 1t Is De-
clared They Will o No Farther South


lively that orders have gone to the build
ers of the Monterey to work night
and day to get her ready for
service at the earliest possible
moment. Orders have just been issued to
prepare her two 12-inch guns for ship
ment to San Francisco. So anx-
ious is the department to expedite
matters that her plates will be
shipped without awaiting the result of the
acceptance tests called for by the contract
A large quantity of ammunition for
rapid-hring guns has been contracted
for, and steps taken to secure the
delivery of thirty Howard torpedoes. The
contractors for Whitehead torpedoes are
also unusually active, and there is reason
to anticipate the early delivery of 100 of
these torpedoes.
VALPARAISO, Dec. 2s.-[New York Herald
special. Il hardly think there
Is much foundation for the re-
port cabled here from Washington
City that the Chilean government
is likely to propose arbitration. The
Herald, however, may safely say propo-
sition to arbitrate would be welcomed by
Chileans, TO take the matter out of the
hands of Blaine and Egan.
1t is rumored that the reason for Egan's
absence from the Inauguration ceremon-
les was the insulting tone of Mattas re-
ply to President Harrison's message.
The procurator fiscal has not completed
his review of Judge Fosters report on the
Baltimore affair.
The cruiser Boston, before leaving
here, bought 40 tons of coal for
so shilIings ton She will get enough
coal at Callao to fill the bunkers, but will
have to pay from 60 to 20 shillings a ton.
SAN DIEGO, Cal, Dec. 2S.-Interest in
the arrival of the cruiser San Francisco
this evening was intensified tonight by a
report that the cruiser Charleston had ar
rived and anchored OFF the Hotel del Cor
onado, but owing to the lateness of the
hour and the darkness of the night it is
impossible to substantiate the report, as
the vessel, if she is there, displays no
lights.
The United States steamer San Fran
cisco, which left San Francisco at D. m
on Saturday, arrived this morning and en-
tered port. The trip was made direct in
thirty-six hours, without stopping at
Montery as expected. The rear admiral
said:
We shall stay here in San Diego harbor until
the secretary of the navy orders us away. We
are ready to sail on three hours notice. but may
remain three weeks, all depending on our orders
from Washington City. The ship is equipped
for a three years cruise, and we have 100 rounds
OF ammunition for each gun. Beside this, we
have 800 or 400 for other ships.
"Nhat other ships" was asked.
"Well, we may meet some other ships that
will want some ammunition" was the only an
swer.
From other sources it is inferred that the
Charleston, now on her way from Honolulu to
Acapulco, is to meet the san Francisco here and
take extra ammunition. The Baltimore is
also coming north from Chilean waters and she
may want ammunition While the officers re-
fuse to state their plans il is easy to learn that
the vessel is ready for any emergency.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 2S.-An officer
of the state department said tonight that,
as far as lie was aware, nothing had been
received from Minister Egan since the in
auguration of President Montt. The
Chilean minister also yet remains offic-
ally unadvised of anything pertaining to
the inauguration.
Secretary Tracy said tonight that the
United States steamship San Francisco,
which arrived at San Diego today. was
there for the purpose Of engaging in target
practice. He said further that no orders
had been issued TO her commander.
Senior Montt, the Chilean minister.
called at the department of state at noon
and had an interview with Secretary
Blame for half an hour 1t is impossible
to get more than a hint of what passed be-
tween the secretary and minister during
the interview, but that is probably suf-
hcient To warrant the supposition that
mo
manner as satisfactory to the
government of the United Stateo as de-
sired. Notwithstanding the fact that Sec
retary Blaine is now dealing almost en-
tirely directly with the Chilean minister
instead of with his government. through
the intervention OF Minister Egan. il does
not appear that the result has been
a saving of time, and there
is reason 10 suspect that the secretary is
chahng at the delay he encounters in Sc
curing final response TO the representa-
tiOns made by this government concerning
the attack upon the Baltimore's men.
During the afternoon Representatives
Lodge and Boutelle called at the navy de-
partmrnt They are both Republican
members of the House committee on naval
affairs, the chairman of which. Represen-
tative Herbert is absent from the city.
Unless the House of Representatives
recurs to the old Randall rules
the naval committee will retain its
charge in all matters pertaining to appro-
pnations for the naval service. while in
the senate concurrent action of the COM
mittee on appropriations and the commit
tee on naval affairs Is usually necessary
10 secure provision for any navy
expenditures. Secretary Tracy has been
in communication with the members of
each of those committees during the day.
hut With what purpose Is not definitely
known. An officer in the department
speaking of the consultations said:
Il meass just this-that w are abiding bv
George WAshlugton's maxim, "in time Of
qeaoe peep4re ;or war" We don't believe there
aiu be War. bat If the adm. .aisjratou failed to
- express az of Is power "a the matter of pre-
narltion IL would b open 20 severe criticism if
ba-lIiries actually ensued.
Secretary Tracy's Office presented a busy
scene this morning. Within an hour he
saw Senator Allison, chairman Of the Sem
ate committee on appropriations: Senator
Cameron of the committee on aprropri-
.tIous. senator Chandler. chairman Of the
eommittee on naval affairs; Senator
3I,ler, a member Of the same committee;
senator's Erye and Hale. Chief Constructor
Wilson. Chief Engineer Melville; Captain
Phillips. who j. 10 command the new
cruiser New York: Lieutenant Mason
executive officer Of the same vessel. Conn