The gold leaf., 1891-12-31
THE MUTTERINGS OF WAR.
The United States and Chill Nav
Engage in Clash of Arms
After All.

W A0llNhloN, ~. -, DcC. 2S.-Al
the State and Navy departments to-
day the usual answer to inquiries for
news from Chill was made, " We have
received nOthing.' But this did not
prevent the circulation of a good
sized crop of lively rumOrs concerning
the situation and especially Minister
Egan'S failure to attend the Inaugural
tlon Of President Montt at Valparaiso
Saturday. The officials at the State
department had 10 explanations to
give of the Minister'S course. He had
been advised to use his own Judgment
in the premises, and in high official
circles the belief prevails that the
minister felt that it was not consistent
with self respect and the dignity of
his position, to say nothing of what
ever degree of absolute danger to his
person there was in appearing on the
streets, to attend the ceremony in
view of the manner in which he had
been treated since the revolution
ended. There was short conference
between Secretary Blaine and Presi-
dent Harrison at the White House
this morning before the SECRETARY
reached the department., but the re-
suit of it is not definitely known. 1t
was SAID that the situation has not
changed. 1t is asserted that in every
step taken in the matter the cabinet
has acted as Il whole and the Presi-
dent and the Secretary Of State have
the full confidence and support of
thcIr associates. Some way must be
traversed and Chill's is not such as to
warrant the basing of lively hopes
thereon. In the international Ameri-
can conference it VIII be remembered
Chlll's delegates voted against the
proposed agreement to settle troubles
10y arbitration and that country has
taken no steps to place herself in line
with other American nations on this
subject. 1t is the impression among
officials that Chilli will either apologize
or fight. And it is also true that for
some reason peace wave seems to
havc swept over the State and Navy
departments so-day. and the feeling
IS that blOOuless solution of the
situation Will be found. At the same
time, the authorities are relaxing none
OF their efforts to be fully prepared
Tor any cNgenCy that may arise. This
morning Secretary Tracy, Commodore
Ramsey, Chief Of the Bureau Of con-
stguctlon, and Lieutenant l.. B. \.
Mason, who Is to be the executive
officer OF the New York when she is
put III COMMISSION, nad conference
with Mr.. Cramp, her builder. He
told the officers, II Is SAID, that If the
work on the other vessels III his yard
was stopped, the New York could be
completed and would be ready for
service IN sin months. Whether orders
| TO proceed IN this manner were given
or not is unknown. Shortly afternoon,
Senor Pedro Montt, the Chlllan
minister, after waiting tor the NlCarau-
gan and British ministers to conclude
their business with Mr.. Blaine, began
an interview with the Secretary which
| lasted more than an hour. What it
was all about of course, was not made
known, but it is said that it was largely
devoted to a statement by the minis
ter OF the desire of the new govern
ment inaugurated at Valparaiso Satur-
day TO continue in amlCable relations
with the United States and TO renew
to the Secretary assurances OF his own
regard and esteem.
Around the State department little
confidence is put in the report tha,
| Chill will ask to have the controversy
settled by arbitration: at least there
is not probability of it in the near
future.