The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-29


ments, and IL was not a matter Of concern
to this Government whether he attended
the show or not.
The talk that Chile's next move would be
proposition to submit the whole matter
to arbitration did not gain much credence.
In fact the people are gradually settling
into an attitude of doubling every thing that
Is said or written just now upon the
subject. unless it is based on positive fact;
pure speculation has been developed to q
point OF weakening credulty of the public.
There will probably be no movement either
Tor peace or war until the final reply has
been received from Santiago.
THE SITUATION VERY GRAVE.
The possibility of war has passed into
probability and probability into almost GER
tainty. with the increased gravity of the
situation there is an assumption on the
part OF high officials of an unnatural,
decidedly artificial display of outward
forms and show of satisfaction with the
situation; The fact that the Boston
has to-day sailed from Valparaiso is
points to peace. If it were known
that war would be declared within one
week she would not remain in Chilean
waters without powerful cOnsort. 1t is
asserted that the Administration expects
hosultieS, and will be surprised at any
other outcome. The War Department is as
active as the navy in its preparations.
| While denying that the Chilean affair is
| giving them any concern, preparations are
being made for the maSSing of regular
troops. The general tone to-day, though,
seemed little more placid, yet there is no
reason for any change of view. The stu "a
ton here Is Just the same as it was last
week. and NJ. Egan's sience-he has not
cabled since WedneSday-wou!d seem TO in
dlcaie that there is no change in Chile.
AN OFFICERS VIEWS.
An officer Of the navy said to-day: THE
strenuous efforts that are being made to
choke off war talk cannot but have some OBJ
Ject, and L think can see that object in the
theory that | have formed. 1t is generally
thought that President Montt is friendly to
! the United States but he is surrounded by
| Cabinet of men who are eager for brush
| with us. The whole tone of the country is
unmistaka0y hostile. Montt realizes the
| useleSSneSS of war with the United States
and is really anxious to avoid trouble, but
| he Is in dangerous position. The main
| factors IN Chilean politics are the army and
| navy, and just at present they are very
| eager for any crisis tending to increase their
| prestige and maintain their organization,
| which the reformers in Chile are Just now
| endeavoring TO reduce to peace basis A
| peace basis merely means reduction Of the
| Importance Of the army and navy as pOliti-
| cal elements and this Is the local issue. The
OaOlhet Is run by tHese two services and
| Montt himself, an officer of the navy, is
| open to most potent influence for war. He
| IS being driven one way by his good sense
and another way by his fear Of political
complication that may throw him out of
office.
CHILE WILL RESIST
THE Chilean internal peace is not yet as
| sured, and l have private advces from
| Valparaiso to the effect that the army aud
navy are bordering on state of revolt
| against the new regime. Now | am getting
| 10 my theory. M0ntt, harassed by these
! conflicting influences, cannot afford to be
| forced into the attitude or bending to the
! superior force Of the United States. 1t
| would be fatal to him as the h al of the
| republic. lie therefore tempariZeS in the
| hope Of getting a fonth0d. and meanwhile
| he intmates to the United States that he
| cannot possibly apologize under pressure.
! He suggests that if this Government should
haul in its horns and stop talking war he
| Will b. In position to secure favorable
! reply to its demands. otherwise he cannot
| answer for the consequences. That is the
| theory. This Government sees the wisdom
OF the suggestion, and while going ahead
| with measures OF cautiun makes an en-
| deavor to choke off the tone Of belliIerence
! that has suddenly been heard from the
| Whole country, l can see no other reason"
| The acting Secretary of War said to-day,
when asked for an explanation of the un-
usual activity in army circles: "It is non
sense 10 talk OF war with Chile. Why do
they not talk of war with It&ly''
NO NEWS FROM EGAN.
An officer Of the State Department said
tonight that as far as he was aware moth
ing had been received from Minister Egan
! since the Inauguration OF President Montt.
| The Chilean Minister also remains officially
unadvised of anything pertaining to the in
| auguration.
ONLY TARGET PRACTICE.
Secretary Tracy SAID Tonight that the
| United States steamer San Francisco, which
has arrived at san Diego Cal, was there
| Tor the purpose OF engaging in target prac-
tce. He also said that further other orders
| had been issued to her commander.
A wARLIKE PROGRAMME.
New YORK, Dec. 2S-A Posts Washing
ton special SAYS: The reports which ap-
| pear henceforward representing the Gov
| ernment as grouping its war vessels in the
| South Pacific In order to intiuidate Chile
may be regarded like those which have
been published heretofore as unworthy of
| credence. | am informed on the highest
| authority that the order of procedure if the
worst comes to the worst. will include no
| 'intlmldatiOns" or 'uemOn stratiOns." 1t
| will be pure business from beginning to
end Egan will be instructed to present his
| letter Of recall and come home. He Will de-
| mand safe conduct out of the country for
the refugees to whom he has given shelter
at the American Legation. If that is de-
MED the naval force already On the spot will
attempt to enforce his demand. Al the same
time all vessels in the Pacific waters be-
longing to the navy, revenue, marine or
| private merchant service will be pressed
into use either as fighters or transports, aud
sharp, quick, decisive blow struck. 1t is
the desire of every one concerned to avoid
bloOdshed, as far as that is possible, and to
bring the war to all end so promptly as fully
TO justify Its beginning.
HURRYING UP THE MONTEREY.
The Herali's Washington correspondent
asserts positively that orders have gone to
the builders of the Monterey to work night
and day and get her ready for service at the
ri ~ ell ia MT
been issued TO prepare two of the 12-lnch
guns for shipment to San Francisco. So
anxious Is the department to expedite mat
ters that the plates for the Monterey Will be
shipped without awaiting the result of
the acceptance OF tie tests called for
by the contract. A large quantity of
ammunition for the rapid-fre guns has
been contracted for and steps have been
taken to secure an early delivery OF 80 How
ell tOrpedoes. The contractors OF the
Whitehead torpedoes are also unusually
active and there is reason To anticipate an
early delivery of 100 of thes e torpedoes.
WILL WELCOME ARBITRATION.
The Herald's Valparaiso special says: l
hardly think that there is much foundation
for the report cabled here from
ment is likely to propose arbitration. 1t
may be safely said that a propo-
siti0n to arbltrate will be welcomed by the
Chlleans TO take the matter out Of the hands
| Ol DIANE anu ESaH. Inc TutDOreQ reason
OF Egan's absence from the Inauguration
ceremonies was the insulting tone oil Matta's
| reply to President Harri sons message.
The ProcuratOr Fiscal has not com pleted
his review of Fosters report on the Balti-
more affair
The cruiser Boston. before leaving here,
bought 40 tons OF coal for 50s a ton. She
Will get enough coal at Calao to fill her
bunkers, but will have to pay from Cos to
70S ton.
AN UNCoNFIRMED RUMoR.
CHICAGO, Dec. 2S.-A morning paper
says an officer of General Miles S. aft re-
ceived telegram late last evening from his
brother, q United States soldier stationed at
San Francisco telling him of the arrest
there yesterday of two fOreigners-0ne
Spaniard and the other a Chilean-who
have been there for the past three weeks
and who were acting In a manner 10 cause