Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-12-29
A CRISIS AT HAND.
The Chilian Situation Again Be.
coming Very "Acute."
WAR PREDICTED IN FIFTEEN DAYS,

Unless the Saucy Southern Republic
Comes to Terms--Haste Necessary toPre-
vent a Chilian Sea Terror from Getting
Loose-This from the the Irrepressible
High Authority''-Some Other Views
That Are Less BelIigerent-The Alleged
Real Purpose of Our Naval Activity.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29-Within a few
days it is hoped a communication will be
received from the Chilian government
which, if not entirely satisfactory, will
form basis for satisfactory settlement
of the difficulty. The United States have
ken their stand and now occupy posi-
zion from which they cannot and will not
retreat. Chilli is not only by words, but
by actions Which speak louder than words,
being informed that responsibility for
war or peace rests with her, and this is a
responsibility which she must quickly as
s ime and make decision on. The fore
going is a summary of what was said yes
terday by man who is described as being
"in position to know all the facts"
Only Fifteen Days Grace.
"How long will this government be
willing to watt"
Not more than fifteen days at the ut
most. Chill must settle on the easy basis
which we have arranged. and she must set
tie at once. Ordinarily we could not press
the question as to time. We We're our
selves i'll no haste in the New OrNans
affair 1t is well settled principle that
in judicial investigation, where the life
and liberty of individuals are at stake one
government may not demand haste of an
other.
That Terror, the Capt. Pratt
But the situation in this case is compli-
Gated by the fact that at Toulon, in France.
ship contractors are just completing for the
Chilian government the cruiser Captain
Pratt, which, when in commission. will be
the most powerful man-of-war in western
waters. We have nothing that can stand
against her. She would be terror to our
new navy, and her presence in Chilian
waters would make it impossible for us TO
land troops on Chilian soil.
War Before She Is Ready.
"The United States government has def
nltely decided that the Captain Pratt shall
not be permitted to leave Toulon. The
only way in which this can be prevented is
TO declare war before the cruiser is ready
to sail. The navy department
has now at Toulon and has
had for thirty days trusted
agent, who sends frequent reports con-
cerning the progress of work on that YES
sci. His latest report was to the effect
that the cruiser might be ready for service
by Feb. TO- Before that date--a safe time
before that date, may add-concreSs viii
be given an opportunity to declare war,
unless the Chilian difficulty be settled
meanwhile"
Chill Voted Against Arbitration.
The rumor that Senior Montt will at the
proper time suggest arbitration of the diff
Guilty recalls that the pan-American con-
gress, which was in session in this city in
1890 adopted general plan of arbitration,
but the republic of Chill bitterly opposed
it, and in fact was the only government
represented that did not vote for it.
4 Telegram from Egan.
a cable was received from Minister Egan
yesterday: 1T referred to the Inaugural
zion of President Montt, which i. said
passed off successfully, and was followed
by IA banquet Saturday night. which was
attended by the congress. other officials
and foreign ministers with which the adj
ministratlon is maintaining pleasant and
amicable relations The inference from
the message is that Minister Egan was not
invited to attend the banquet. Certainly
he dld not go. Egan also referred to the
publication in Valparaiso of many eN-
tracts from Santiago papers explaining
the proceedings before Judge Foster in
the investigation Of the assault upon the
Baltimore's sailors. The paper contained,
so far aS the message revealed, no COM
meut upon the situations
why Egan Didn't Attend.
With regard TO Minister Egan's absence
from the ceremony of inauguration SAT-
urday it may he stated with much CON
fidence that no communication passed be-
tween him and the state department upon
the subject; thai his course was dictated
by what he deemed 10 he due precaution-
if not the necessity of the situatiou-with-
out advice from this end of the line. at
would be a very strange thing, indeed
said prominent official, ''if Mr.. Egan was
instructed to use his own Judgment with
regard to such ? NATTER the officials here
knowing his position. while if the same
day the secretary of state attended din
ner given by the Chilian minister in honor
of the event. 1t would seem that this Was
at least an inconsistent policy being pur-
sued at the two ends of the line by the
United States authorities