, 1891-12-30
Nothing MarlIke In SIGH.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 29.-This alter
noon was absolutely without an incident
that could be distorted into relation to
warlike preparation. Such unofficial ad-
vices as have been received are to the eff
feet that the legal authorities of Valparaiso
have not completed a revision of the for
NAL proceedings OF Justice Foster. Just
how long these legal formalities may be
protracted before they may be regarded
as causing a further needless delay is.
of course. determinahle only By Presi-
dent Harrison, but there is reason to be-
lieve there has been brought to his attsn-
uon the difficulties that have surrounded
President Mont in the formation OF a
new cabinet, and he also is DESTROYS OF
avoiding the appearance OF endeavOring
TO interfere with the due process of law
IN Chill, if there is any reasonable ground
for the assum ption that a due process
is being followed.
These considerations nave doubtless led
him to a due course OF patient waiting to
the utmost extreme, consistent with a
due regard to the dignity of the United
States and, as far as can be learned, 1t Is
probable no departure will be made from
this attitude before the reassembling Of
congress unless further communication
from the Chilean government should give
a different aspect to the situation. If the
heads OF bureaus in the navy department
are to be believed, no extraordinary
efforts have been made to put vessels IN
condition for active hOstilities. In the
construction bureau the officers in charge
say positively no orders have gone forward
to San Francisco to hurry up work on the
Monterey.
As a matter of fact fewer orders are
passing through the bureau at present
thar during the past three months. In
tie ordinance bureau 1t Is learned the
Turret armor for the Monterey is ready
for shipment to San Francisco at any
time Her great guns are also ready and
the Pennsylvania railway has undertaken
to transport them across the continent.
The task is one Of magnitude, as a twelve
inch rifle without a carriage weighs fifty
six tons and a carriage weighs twenty-five
tons. Especially constructed cars are
Necessary for the transportation of these
great masses Of metal and much nice cal
culatlon respecting tho curves, tunnels
and the strength of the many bridges
between the W ashington and California
NAVY lhIIH MT lA'A " insure I'lt AK
delivery of these guns
These guns are not only intrinsicullv
valuable, but their loss at the present time
would be a serious calamity. as many
months would be consumed 10 making
guns to replace them. Satisfactory pro-
eress is being made In the production of
armor and torpcdoes, but it is insisted by
the ordnance officers that neither armor
plates nor torpedoes have been or will be
accepted until they have been thoroughly
tested A lot of Howell tOrpedocI-
about fortv-are practically ready for use,
and the first insiallment of Whitehead
English %patteru) lorpedocs made in the
United States will soon be delivered.
improvements ave been made in The
Howell torpedo. which is essentially an
American invention, that will place it in
the front rank rf automobile weapons,
and 1t is promised hat the tOrpedoes de-
liyered to the government will exceed the
contract requirements IN speed aud ac'u-
rscy. But according to the statements
of the naval ordnance officers, all these
things are being done without reference
TO immediate war. and it is said they are
simply the satisfactory results of the ener.
getic policyo of naval rehabilitation a iopted
by Secretary Tracy long ago. 10 the war
department matters are very quiet and
even the Mexican frontier disturbance has
failed to furnish an item of news today.