The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-29
IN THE WAR OFFICES.


Secretary Tracy's Department Presented q
Busy Appearance.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.-Secretary Tracy's
Office presented busy scene this morn
ing. Within an hour he saw Senator Alli-
son, chairman of the senate committee on
appropriations; Senator Cameron. chair
man of the committee on naval affairs; Sem
ator Butler member of the same commit
tee; Senators Frye and Hale, Chief Con-
structor Wilson; Engineer Melville; Capt.
Phillips, who is to command the new
cruiser New York; Lieut.. Mason, executive
officer of the same vessel Commodore Fol-
ger, chief of the ordnance department;
Commander Chadwick, and lastly Charles
Cramp, ship builder. Notwithstanding
this sign of official activity and the reports
printed of unusual work at the navy yards,
the officials of the navy department deny
that there is the least speck of a war cloud
in the diplomatic horizon.
Assistant Secretary Soley said he had al
ready expressed his views as to the navy
yard work. When asked where the San
Francisco was bound, he declined to give a
definite answer, but when it was remarked
that the last time she went our for "gun
she was next heard of at Valparaiso, he
said the vessel had no orders for Chilli. A
naval officer, who should know, when asked
if the cruiser was bound for Acupulco re-
piled that she would not go as far south as
Mexico. He also stated the Baltimore was
now probably north of Panama on her way
to San Francisco.
Commodore Folger. chief of the ord
nance bureau, adds to the general denials
by stating that there was no unusual ac-
tivity at the naval gun factory. Cramp
also insisted that his force was not working
faster nor longer than usual. He said he
han received no instructions from the de-
partment to hurry the work on the naval
vessels now building at his yards.
Commodore Wilson, chief constructor,
had gone over to Philadelphia to inspect
the progress of naval work, and on Satur-
day he had not found single man of the
three Thousand employees at work. More
over CrAmp did not believe half his force
were at work to-day, as they were keeping
the holiday season.
At the department of state matters
moved along in the usual serene fashion
and there is no trace of warlike excite
ment. The officials say nothing has been
heard from Minister llgan since the 23rd
inst. Why he did not attend President
Months Inauguration Saturday they did
not know. and doubted the correctness of
the report to that effect.
At the war department neither Acting
c'etary Grant nor Major General Scho-
field, who would certainly be in position
to know, had any information as to the in
lion to appoint Gen. Miles to the command
of the army in case of war with Chilli. In
fact. the only sign of warlike preparation
visible at the executive departments is in
The orders issued Saturday for the imme-
liate preparation of the new twelve-inch
gun just completed at the navy yard here,
FOR transportation to California, together
with 1000 pounds of powder and 11,000
Shells
Senior Montt, the Chilian minister, called
1T the department of state at noon and
hand an interview with Secretary Blaine
For half an hour.
1t was impossible to get mora than a hint
,f what passed between the secretary and
minister during the interview, but that is
probably sufficient to warrant the SUPPOSE
manner rs satisfactory to the government
If the United States MS could be desired.
the fact that Secretary
Blaine is now dealing almost entirely di
ectly with the ChiliAn minister. instend
If with his government, thu ough the in
ervention of Minister Egan it does not ap-
pear that the result has been saving Of
lime, and there is reason to suspect that
he secretary is chafing at the delay he en-
in securing final response to the
mWde by this government
the attack upon the Baltimore's
nen.
During the afternoon Representatives
3odge and Boutelle called at the navy de-
,artment. They are both republican MEM
,ers of the house committee on naval af-
airs, the chairman of which. Representa-
i've Herbert, is absent from the city. Unless
he house of representatives recurs to the old
tandall rules. the naval committee will re-
ain in its charge all matters relating to ap-
for tho naval SERVICE while in
he senate concu' rent action of the commit
ee on appropriations and the committee on |
laval affairs is usually necessary to secure
rovision for any navy expenditures.
Secretary Tracy has been in oommunica- !
ion with members of each of these COM
nittees during the day but with what pur
ose is not definitely known. An officer of
he department, speaking of these consul
ationp, said: 1t means just this. that we
re abiding by George Westinghouse max
m, In time of peace prepare for war; We
ont believe there will be war, but III the
failed TO exercise all of it's
over in the matter Of preparation IL would
Q open to severe criticism II hostilities Ro-
ually ensue."
News reached the navy department this
fternoon that tho steamer San Francisco
nd arrived at San Diego, Gal, and was Rt
nchor in the harbor. II was rumored that |
he would await the Charleston at that \