Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-10
NEWS OF THE CAPITAL.
The Itata Case Believed to Have Been Set
tled-The Latest Series Of Armor-Plate
Observation-Disclosures Powder in the

-
tled-The Latest Series Of Armor-Plate
Experiments Powder in the
Navy.
rFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, Sept 9.-Though neither
the State Department nor the envoys of the
constitutional government OF Chile Will con-
firm the report. it is well established that
a satisfactory conclusion has been reached
between the negotiating parties with re-
gard to the disposal of the Itata case. For
several days conferences have been quietly
in progress. E1-Mayor Grace, New York.
who has all along been warmly interested
in the success of the now victorious party in
Chile, took part in the conferences.
The basis Of the compromise is that upon
payment of the expenses of the pursuit,
capture and return of the Itata by the
Chilean Government the vessel will be re-
leased. 1t is believed this is decisive, as the
ENJOYS have been in constant cable commu-
nication with Junta at Santiago, and it is
therefore supposed the latter consented to
the arrangement. The disposition >en the
part of the representatives of both govern
ments is to erase old scores, forget Sights
and snubs and mistakes, and establish
friendly relations rs speedily as possible.
The Chilean ENJOYS here, who were few
days ago so loud and bitter in denunciation
OF their treatment by their Government,
have now put diplomatic paddock on their
mouths.
Egan VIII Have to Go.
Envoy Julio Foster, who has been ex-
tremely communicative all along, is still
very cordial to correspondents, but smiles
and says to all inquiries: "I'd like to tell
you all 1 know, my boys, but I'm in posi-
tion now in which 1 cannot say u word"
Mr.. Foster is over 70, though he looks but 80,
and says "my boys" to fellows who are
youngsters no longer. In the establishment
of friendly relations, however, one thing
will apparently be impossible, and that Is
the acceptance of Egan as Minister. Judging
from the tone of Egan's cable messages he
seems trying to accomplish this but if so, it
will be useless. He will temporarily be
of this country. until affairs can be got in
order in Chile, and then If this Government
fails to ask his resignation his withdrawal
will be requested.
The friends of the victorious Chileans in
this city will resist all attempts toward the
retention of Egan, and they are all provided
with evidence of Egan's partisanship, the pro-
duction of which will be sufficient to secure
that gentleman's recall at any time. While
the Secretary of the late Balmaceda Lega-
tion remains Acting Minister in the absence
OF the late exuberant Lazcano, Mr.. Egan
may well be the same sort of representative
in Chile of this Government New evidence
to-day cropped out in various forms that
Senior Don Pedro Montt will be appointed
i
occurs and If Senior Don Jorge Montt, now
chief of the Junta, be elected President the
brothers Montt will have powerful grip on
affairs in Chile.
Armor Plate Tests.
The series of armor plate experiments
that have been conducted by the Naval Ord
nance Bureau since the competitive armor
trial at Annapolis last September, have re.
suited in the conclusion that the best armor
plate thus far developed is made of nickel
steel treated by the Harvey process of sur
face carboniZation, and accordingly the first
order for nickel steel armor plates for actual
use has been given. 1t Is for the l3-inch side
armor for the coast defense vessel Monterey.
The turret armor for this vessel is now in
process of manufacture ut the Bethlehem
Iron Works, and is so far advanced that it
will all be of plain steel. 1t will also be
treated by the Harvey process, however.
News OF the Navy.
Criticism of the general mismanagement
of the navy and the special favors bestowed
on Acting Rear Admiral Walker the pet of
the navy, who has been for upward of year
displaying himself and the finest vessels of
the navy in the "White Squadron" has re-
suited in detaching at least one vessel from
the North Atlantic feet. The York
town, whose launching at the Cramp yards
in Philadelphia five years ago was made the
occasion of a grand excursion from this city
with wine and rich viands all the way, was
to-day ordered to San Francisco. Her chief
officer is Commander Evans, who has been
for two days the most important witness at
Hampton in the Hafnes-H -Hannegan murder
case. The duty to which she is to be as
signed is not yet announced. The import
ant fact is that newspaper criticism has
forced change in the policy.that has made
the navy field for scandal for some time.
The United States navy is now in posses
sion of smokeless powder that promises to
be equal if not superior to that in use by
some foreign countries, and which portends
a new revolution" in naval warfare. For
six months experiment has been in progress
at the torpedo station at Newport with
powder which is mainly the invention of
Prof. Charles Monroe, chemist at the tor.
pedo station, though it has been developed
under the auspices of the Navy Department.
Several tests with six and three Founders
have just been made. The results with the
former have been equal to those attained
with the best smokeless powder in use in
foreign navies, and with the three FOUNDER
somewhat superior. The composition of the
powder Is secret known only to three Off
cials Of the navy.