New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-29


ONE AMERICAN wARsHIP
IN CHILEAN WATERS.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TKrBUSE.l
Washington Sept. 2s.-A ripple of excitement
which has not yet subsided was caused here TO-
day by O long conference at the White House In
regard to the state OF affairs in Chilli, as it may
affect the relations between that country and the
United States There were present at the con-
ference which lasted about two hours. besides the
President, Secretary Tracy, Assistant Secretary
Wharton of the State Department, General John
W. Foster and Commodore Ramsay, Chief of the
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department. While
all the Department officials who took part in the
conference have been extremely reticent. so that
Jealous efforts made during the afternoon ana To-
night have been rewarded with only slight degree
of success so far as the finding of exact details
is concerned. the following statements. derived
from trustworthy Sources are believed to be sub
stantialy correct.
Two DISPATCHES have been received from Min
lister Egan within the last few days Inc hrse
one represented condition of affairs at Santiago
so serious that the return to Washington OF Secre
tary Tracy of the Navy Department was regarded
as advisable. On the following day, Saturday.
second dispatch was received from Minister Egan,
but since that time nothing has been heard from
him. although dispatches have been hourly eX'
pected. A dispatch was also received from Captain
Scbley. of the Navy commanding the cruiser
Baltimore at Valparaiso. The contents of these
dispatches have not been divulged outside OF q
small official circle but 1t is evident that they
are of a nature to arouse grave solicitude, and
call for prompt action
There is good reason to believe that the Chilian
Provisional Government at Santiago has under
taken virtually to place the United States Lega-
ton in state of siege so that spies ana armed
guards for time at least, surrounded the premises
occupied by Minister Egan; that free ingress ana
egress were denied to persons who desired 10 cali
at the Legation; that person is now permitted
N enter IL without passport from the Provisional
authorities; that a number of persons, including
several citizens OF the United States have Deen
arbitrarily arrested and imprisoned without puo-
lie trial or hearing; that among the persons mus
arrested were one or more servants Oh the hih-
ister that in response 10 the vigorous representa-
tions and protests Of Minister Egan, the guaraS
which had surrounded the Legation were removed
hut that careful and hostile espionage existed, at
last accounts, which prevented free access 10 the
Minister Of the United States by persons who
desired to visit him.
II the foregoing statements are true-and there
S''~-
is evident that the emergency by which che uniteo
States has been so suddenly and Unexpectedly con-
fronted is one which must be met with prompt
6r,n and decisive action. If the Provlslohai
authorities have committed the acts above de-
scribed. they have invaded privileges which are
recocnized and held sacred by all civilized natons
and have clearly violated international law, as
ypell as comfy. in manner and TO degree which
NAV well awaken deep concern and DE regarueu
as serious in the extreme.
Nothing can be ascertained as to the reason OF
pretext for the alleged acts of the Chhah au'noii
ties at Santiago 1t might be surmlsed tilaC sonie
Of the late officials partsans ol the balliaceup
Government had sought refuge III the Ohlteu o"''eS
LEGATION: but even in that case the proper al"
only lawful course Tor the authorities 10 pursue
would he TO bring the matter before the Govern
mont Of the United States for such action us tne
facts might require and warrant.
The only warship Of the United States now III
Cbilian waters is the Baltimore the San frahc'so
having sailed northward from Calla0, feru, some
days ago. on her voyage to San Francisco Ohuel
the circumstances it will undoubtedly DE thought
wise and prudent 10 strengthen the naval lorce ae
Valparaiso as soon as practicable, ana IL may W
possible to intercept the San Francisco at rayta'
Pm bv telearaphic instructions to return to Chill
i'm NN''N
and distance. as we'll as expense which would be
incurred if her commander should fail to receive
his orders before he reached Panama or Acapulco
Whether the failure TO receive the expected dis
match from Minister Egan oday was due TO an in
,orrrntion of the means of telegraphc cOmmuni
cation. 70 unavoidable delay in the transmission
Of his messages or to other causes beyond his con-
troll was. Of course unknown to-day to the Off
cials of the State Department here. 1t may be
that affairs in Santiago have assumed better
AMI more friendly aspect, so far as the relations
between Chill and the United States are concerned,
since the dispatch was sent which was received
in Washington two days ago. and If so. the fall-
ure 70 hear from Mr.. Egan to-day might be easily
explained. 1t was evident. however that the
delay was regarded as rather serious, and by no
means as q favorable sign by the officials OF the
State and Navy Departments. 1t is probable that
additional and more specific information respect
ing the condition of affairs will be obtained be-
fore tomorrow night, and that the substance of it,
at least will be given to the country
In response to an inquiry relative to the re-
ports thai a revolt had broken out among the
troops at Santiago, Senor Montt, the Chilian Con-
gressional envoy at Washington: has received
dispatch from Senor Motta, the Minister OF Foreign
Affairs, saying that peace has not nor VIII it
be disturbed, least of all by military revolts;'
Senor Montt has also received q dispatch con-
irming the published reports Of the appointment
of Senor Manuel A. Malta as Minister OF Foreign
Affairs and Of Augustn Edwards as Minister of
Industrial and Public Works.
Senior Montt has not received anything from
Chill relative TO the reported arrest of three Amer
can citizens at Santiago and the statlonlng OF
force of police outside of the American Legation
there.
CHILIS WAR CONTINUED IN NEW-YORK.
TWO GREAT COMMERCIAL HOUSES IN 1T AND
BOTH SAY THEY WERE FRIENDS OF
THE CONGRESS PARTY.