Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-12-17
In THE SENATE.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.--In the
senate today resolution for the APP
pointment of select and standing
committees were adopted. The
credentials of Senator-elect Hill OF
New York, were placed on file.
Turpin then proceeded to address
the senate providing for the election
" United States senators by the
lirect vote of the people of the
-everal states.
READY FOR A FIGHT.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 1.-THE navy
department is in warlike mood.
rhe principal naval authorities
have for some time given out the
impression that they were spelling
for fight. Perhaps 1t was largely
with them a case of the wish
being father to the thought, but at
all events, they are talking war
fortissimo. From the talk In the
department it appears that intima-
ton has been received from good
authority in and about Chill, that
the Chilians are delaying their re-
sponse to our demand for informa'
ton concerning the Valparaiso Incl
dent for the purpose Of gaining time
In " hich to prepare for war with this
country, and that they will con-
tinue their dllatory policy 80 as TO
make these preparations as complete
as possible. The inference is that II
Chill can persuade the United States
to wait few weeks longer, or until
the most formidable new war vessel
of the Chilian feet, the Captain
Pratt, is completed and equipped
she will be better prepared for hos
tile demonstrations. The situation
thus outlined was discussed with
eagerness at the navy department,
and the opinion was freely advanced
that President Harrison would In
all likelihood take measures to
cheokmate Chill in this matter by
sending special message to con-
gress within the next two weeks,
reciting the fact that an explanation
and reparation had been demanded
of Chill without avail, and proclaim
ing the necessity Of informing Chilli
that this country will resort to ex-
treme measures If the desired re-
sponee is further delayed beyond
reasonable and specified time.
The wisdom of this course, 1t Is
argued, would be apparent because
1t would take the Chilians short
handed, and would prevent them
from getting possession of the
Captain Pratt. This vessel is now
building In France, and cannot
be finished In less than two months
or more. If, meanwhile, President
Harrison and congress should cause
a declaration OF war by the United
States against Chill, it would pre-
vent France from delivering the
Captain Pratt to Chill, and would
save New York and our other
Atlantic cities from the danger of
bombardment by that vessel, In case
of war between these two countries.
The advantage of this move would
be manifest. The navy people say
that this action Is what may reason
ably be expected from the president,
and they point TO passages In his
recent message to congress as Ia.
dicating 1t. They also profess to
have received an intimation that
the Chillians have been lately COM
municating with the French
builders with a view to hurrying
along the construction of the Capt.
tan Pratt.
RECIPROCITY.
NEW YORK, Dec. l7.-President
Harrison, according to u Washing
ton special, has decided to exercise
the power vested In him In the
reciprocity clause of the Mckinley
tariff bill and will issue proclama-
ton restoring the duties ON sugar,
coffee, teas and molasses from coun-
tries that have not negotiated reclp-
roclty treaties with our government.
The only countries that have con.
cluded reciprocity treaties with the
United States, aud will consequent.
ly not be included In the proclama,
tlon, are Brazil, Cuba, Porto Rico,
san Domingo and the British West
Indies.
HE RESIGNED.
LANSING, Mich, Dec. l7.-At
midnight Secretary Of State
Daniel l.. Soper, rendered his resig.
nation to take effect Immediately to
Governor Winans, who accepted
the resignation. This Is the out.
come Of charges filed by Mayor
Johnson of this city. They charge
in office. When con-
fronted with the charges by the
Soper Acknowledged the
OF each Of them.
THE wHALERACK.
PORTLAND, Dec 1.-THE agents
Of the whaleback, Charles w. Wet
more, today furnished u bond Of
s9OO, 600, with w. :. Ladd and Cap
laf., IA XVfIdanna hath ~ thia citv