Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-12-24
The Committee Of Ways and
Means.
OUR COAST DEFENSE.
Fire at Martinez, Rough Weather at
Sea, The Courier Journal Talks,
The Fields, London Fog, About
Gafzia Raid, Free Coinage, For
eign and State News, Etc.
nrrr1Na EApY roR wAR.

CHICAGO, Dtc.24.-A Washington
d. c. special says; There are some
facts that point strongly to the pro-
bability Of war. The war depart
ment are forwarding recruits in
squads of forty and fifty as rapidly
as possible to fill the complete regi-
ments in the far west and on the
Pacific coast. General Schofield
said there are 10000 men available
to send out of the country but no
more could be spmed from the
regular army. Guu carriages are
being shipped TO San Francisco in
sections and guns will follow at an
early date. General Sch0tieId has
been twice summoned before the
cabinet and given it his opinion If
ten thousand men are sent out OF
the country it will be quite possible
to fill their places in The regular
army at home by temporary enlist
ments from the militia. A certain
quota of regulars are equipped for
actual service at army posts to be
called for from each state. In cas-,
the 10000 men transported to Chill
should not be enough it is reported
the president may call for 10000
volunteers for year.
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. A.-Of the
ten Democratic members of the ways
aud means committee all except
Stevens, of Massachusetts, and
Bryon, of Nebraska, who are IL
their first term in congress, wer'
members of the 50th, and of thes'
all excepting Whiting, Of Michigan
are recorded as voting for the Mill
bill on its final passage. Whit
ing made several speeches ~
holding the tariff message of Presl
dent Cleveland, and was probabl.
paired in favor of the bill. Springer
chairman always voted for tariff re
form measures, but has by published
interviews recorded himself In favo
of passing specific bills to put few
articles on the free list, and agains
a general revision of the tariff by
the house at this session. The ma.
jorlty Of his Democratic colleagues
have stated In public that they were
in favor of his line of policy at the
present time.
OUR COAST DEFENSE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-The ad
ministratlon evidently realizes fully
the difficulties Of campaigI
against a country so far away al
Chill. With the land force ther'
could also be sent six batteries o
three.inch breechloading rifles, eacl
gun shooting terribly destructive
shells. In case of war Genera
Miles will be given command Of tn,
division, as he is the youngest o
the major generals, and best suiteC
to carry on an active and arduou
campaign. The defenseless condi
ton of the Pacific coast probably
gives President Harrison more con
cern than any other phase of thu
whole Chilian muss, and he con
stantly urges the greatest possible
speed in hurrying along the heav.
ordnance destined for the protection
of San Francisco and other ports
Waterville arsenal has just turned
out a twelve-inch rifle which Is al
Willett's Point to be tested. Thi
formidable piece Of armament
which throws projectile thirty-sil
Inches long ten miles, was intended
for New York, but the unexpected
turn In Chilian affairs has caused
change In the program, and it will
be sent to San Francisco an'
mounted, II is also hoped to shil
early In January three powerful
ten-lnch guns, which are nearl,
completed, and IL s'ascertained tina
the carriages are now being for
warded piecemeal. There can ais
he shipped to San Francisco, ant
probably will be, eight twelve-incl
rifled mortars, forming two batteries
Sau Francisco bay channel into tn
ocean Is TO be bouyed by engineer
so that no vessel can enter the haI
bor or stand within shooting dis
tance outside without its range q
cannon being accurately guaged
II this work has not already bee
ordered, Il will be soon, as there
fear that hostile cruisers may slip ul
the coast and do great damage be
fore we are ready for such visitors
San Diego will also be taken care OF
With all these preparations golnI
ON, the outlook for dghtis not bad
Naval men nrmly believe they vii
be called into action, and seoretl.
say they VIII be suited II tn,
trouble does come, as they want {,
"try out" their new ships. Then
Is only one peaceful rumor Ia th,
air, end that is that Secretar,
Blaiue will dine with Ministe
MontI next Saturday evening. Thl
VIII b. the first dinner given b,
Senor Mont here.
FIRE AT MARTINEZ cAL
/ MARTINEZ, Cal., Dec. pa Yester
day a tire bn he out In the Chimes
laundry on Man stnet, adjoining
the Commercial hotel A heavy
/ Nuind .naa hiaulfnef aud IA ans,aa -