Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-29
The Chilean War Is of the
ALI Cry Kind.i
A Case of Now You See 1t and
Now You Don't.
The Thimblerig Policy of the Admin.
istration is Amazing.
The Actions OF tho Washington Authori-
ties Belle Their Tongues-The Air
Filled with Contradictory
RumOrs.
Associated Press Dispatches.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.- Secretary
Tracy's Office presented busylscene this
morning. Within an hour ne saw Sem
ator Allison, chairman of the senate
committee on appropriations Senator
Cameron, chairman of the committee on
naval officers; Senator Butler, a mem
ber of the same committee Senators
Frye and Hale, Chief Constructor Will
son, Chief Engineer Melville, Captain
Phillips, who is to command the new
cruiser New York; Lieutenant Mason,
executive officer of the same vessel !;
Commander Folger, chief Of ordnance !;
Commander Chadwick, and lastly,
Charles Cramp, the ship builder.
NO WAR CLOUD IN SIGHT.
Notwithstanding this sign OF official
activity and the reports printed of the
unusual work at the navy yard, the off,
cials of the navy department deny that
there is the least speck OF war cloud in
the diplomatic horizon.
Assistant Secretary Solely says he has
already expressed his views as to the
navy work. When asked where the
San Francisco was bound he declined to
give definite answer. He was reminded
that the last time she went out for 'gun
practice" as reported by the depart
ment, she was next heard of at Valpa-
raiso. He said the vessel had no orders
for Chile.
Anaval officer who should know, being
asked if the cruiser was bound for Aca-
pulco, replied, she would not 90 as far
Ha oil cfota hot
the Baltimore was now probably north
of Panama, on her way to San Fran
cisco.
Comodore Folger, chief Of the ord
nance bureau, added to the general de-
nial by saying there was no unusual
activity at the naval gun factory.
Cramp also insisted that his force was
not workinglfaster or longer than unual.
He said he had received no instructions
from the department to hurry 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 Sat-
urday had not found single man of
5000 employees at work. Moreover
Cramp did not believe half his force
were at work today as they were keep
ing the holiday season.
SERENITY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
At the department OF state matters
moved along in the usual serene fashion
and there was not trace of warlike
excitement. The officials say nothing
has been heard from Minister Egan
since the 23d inst. Why he did not at
Saturday, they did not know, and
Jo,Ltal ba aorrantpoc, Of tho ranort fn
that effect.
At the war department neither Acting
Secretary Grant nor Major-General
Schofield, who would be certainly in a
position to know, had any information
OF the intention to appoint General
Miles to the command OF the army in
the event ofwar with Chile.
In fact, the only sign of warlike pre-
parations visible at the executive de-
partments consisted in an order issued
Saturday for the immediate preparation
of the new Pinch gun just completed
at the navy yard, here, for transporta-
ton to California, together with 1000
pounds OF powder and 1000 shells.
MoNTT AND BLAINE. -
Senior Montt, Chilean minister, called
at the department OF state at noon. He
had an interview with Secretary Blaine
for half an hour.
1t was impossible to get more than a
hint of what passed between the secre-
tary and minister during the interview,
but that is probably sufficient to warrant
the supposition that matters are now
proceeding in manner as satisfactory
to the government of the United States
as desired.
Notwithstanding the fact that Secre-
tary Blaine is now dealing directly with
the Chilean minister instead OF with his
government through the intervention of
Minister Egan, it does not appear that
the result has been saving of time, and
there is reason to suspect that the secre-
tary is chatting at the delay he encoun-
ters in securing a final response to the
representations made by this govern
ment concerning the attack made upon
the Baltimore's men.
MYSTERIOUS CONFERENCES.
During the afternoon Representatives
Lodge and Boutelle called at the navy
department. They are both Republican
members OF the house committee on
naval affairs, the chairman of which,
Representative Herbert, is absent from
the city. Unless the house of repre-
sentatives recurs to the old Randall
rules. the naval committee will retain
in its charge all matters in relation to
appropriations for the naval service,
while in the senate concurrent action OF
the committee on appropriations and
the committee on naval affairs is usually
necessary to secure provision for any
naval expenditures. Secretary Tracy
has been in Communication with the
members of each of these committees
during the day, but with what purpose
is not definitely known.
ABIDING BY wAsHINGToN's MAXIM.
An officer Of the department, speak
ing Of the consultations said: "It
means just this that we are abiding by
George Washington's maxim; 'in time
of peace prepare for war; We do. not
believe there will be war, but if the ad-
ministration failed to exercise all Of it's
power in the matter of preparation, it
would be open, to severe criticism il hos
Utilities actually ensue."