Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-28
STILL TALKING OF WAR.
The Administration Said TO Expect Hostili.
ties With Chile.

| The Administration Said TO Expect Hostili.
ties With Chile.
HOW VARIOUS FACTS AND STATEMENTS ARE ~
TEnPRErEp-pES,AIs MADE BIT GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS, AND THE REPORTED ACTIVE PREPA-
aArIoNs FOR DISPLAY OF FORCE.
The government officials are still trying to
allay all apprehension CT war with Chile, but
preparations are being made for war; and it is
undoubtedly believed by those fully acquainted
with tho situation that there will be
demonstration Of hostilities in q
short time. The unexpected is, of course,
always liable to happen. 1t may be
safely asserted that nothing could happen more
unexpectedly tc the government officials Just
now than peaceful settlement of this trouble.
The conviction that this is SO does not arise
from the fact that active preparations are be-
ing made to meet any contingency. Such prep
arat'ons would have to be made as a mat
ter of precaution even If the government were
ever SO sanguine of settlement without ap-
peal 70 arms. 1t is not possible to judge Of
what cabinet officer thinks of such situation
by reading his public declarations. These
amount to nothing under such circumstances.
THE Mosr SERIOUS VIEW TAKEN
But there are means eff knowing what his
private Judgment is. and by these means it is
learned that in the highest official circles the
most serious possible view is taken of the situ-
alton. The possibility Of war has passsd into
probability, and the probability into almost
a certainty. With the increased gravity of the
situation, thore is an assumption on the
part of high officials Of an unnatural-a de-
cidely artificial display of the outward forms
and show Of satisfaction with the situation.
The fact that the Boston has today sailed from
Valparaiso is said to have no significance which
points to peace. If it were kntwn that war
would be declared within q week she would not
remain in Chilean waters without a powerful
consort.
1t is asserted that the administration expects
hosttlities ard 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 con-
Germ, preparations are beiLg made for the mass
ing of the regular troops
TROUBLE on THE MEXICAN BORDER.
The acting secretary of War said today when
asked for an explanation Of the unusual activ-
ity in army circles: Nonsense to talk of war
with Chile. Nonsense, why do they not talk of
war with Italy!''
The situation on our Mexican border is what
seems serious to me. 1 think there is positive
danger OF our getting into trouble with Mexico.
They may complain of our permitting Garza
and his band to pass back and forth
across our border. We must have troops
there to prevent this. 1t begins to look
to me as is Cara might succeed in getting up
serious revolution. The situation is serious
and We have got to look out for things all along
the Mexican border
In the same connection he said that CARA
was reported to have 200 men, but that it was
impossible to tell how many he had.
NO INFORMATION TO GIVE.
The news hunters found the "Chilean situa-
ton" as mystifying as ever today. Every one
was eager for information and there was no in
formation to give. There is a surprising dearth
Of facts in the case
On the one hand the undeniable evidences of
extreme activity on the part OF the government
toward warlike preparation. and fon the other
Is the fatty negative attitude of everybody
connected with the administration whenever
the subject Is mentioned. Today brought no
new light.
The Navy Department was in a fever of busi-
ness but whether or not it was due to the status
OF the Chilean case could no; be discovered.
MINISTER MONTHS DINNER
The dinner that was given Saturday night by
the Chilean minister il. honor of the inaugural
ton of his president and name-sake IN Chile is
not thought to be at all significant. even
though Secretary Blaine attended as
the guest of honor. 1t was perfectly
natural that any foreign minister, giving
such a dinner, should invite the Secretary of
State, and until there had beer an actual
breach of peace between the two countries, it
would be ealmostincumbentu upon the Secretary to
accept.
The placid and complimentary tone OF the
speeches that were made at the table are not
now regarded as having any important bearing
on the case considered away from the glare of
the lights and ont of the perfume of the BAN
quet room.
MINISTER EGAN's ACTION.
The reports from Valparaiso that Minister
Egan was conspicuous at the inaugural cere-
monies in Chile on Saturday by his presence at
his homo did not seem to worry the officials at
the State Department this morning. II was
intimated by Assistant Secretary Wharton
that Mr.. Egan was in large measure
the master OF his own movements and it
WAS not Il matter Of concern to this government
whether ne attended the show or not. The bear
ing on the case of his action in such an event
must necessarily be small.
THE TALK OF ARBITRATOR,
The talk that Chiles next move would be q
arbitration did not gain much credence.
In fact people arc gradually settling
into the attitude of doubling every.
thing that is said or written Just now
npon the subject unless it is based on a posi-
tive fact Pure speculation has been devel-
oped to the Lcint Of weakening the credulity
Of the public and there will probably be no
movement in the market either for peace or
war. until the final reply has been received
from Santiago.
This general tone today though, seemed a
little more tlacid. Yet there is no reason for
any change If view. TIE situation here is Just
the same it was last week, and Mr.. Egan's
silence-he has Tot cabled since Wednesday
would seem 70 indicate that there is no change
in Chile.
PRESIDENT MoNr-'s ATTITUDE.
An officer Of the navy ventured upon the
grounds Of theory this morning when speaking
to STAR relo lorter. He said There must be
some reason for this sudden change of tone on
the part of our government"
Tho strenuous efforts that are being made to
choke oil the war talk cannot but have some
object and / think I can sec that object in a
theory that have formed.
1t is generally thought that President Montt |
is friendly to the United States but that he is |
surrounded by q cabinet Of men who are eager
for brush with u.s. The whole tone of the
country is unmistakably hostile. Moutt real