The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-24
SATISFACTION OR WAR.
That's the Opinion in the State and
Navy Departments.
SEC. TRACY AFTER TRANSPORTS,
Every Available United States Man Of
War Now In Commission-The Mian-
tonomah Ready for the Captain Prat-
show of Power Necessary.

BROOKLYN, Dec. 24.-Since the killing of
the American seamen at Valparaiso six
war ships of the new navy have left the
Brooklyn yard. They were the flagship
Philadelphia, of the West Indian squad
ron; the Chicago flagship, of the South
American squadron; the Atlanta, Con-
cord, Bennington and the Petrol. They
are now either in the West Indies or en-
route TO South America, with the excep-
tion of the Petrel which was at Suez, en-
route for China few days. The Petrol
could be recalled If necessary and sent TO
Chile.
Every one of these ships carry the finest
armament and well filled magazines, and
a full complement of men.
Every available ship of war in the
United States navy" said navy yard
official yesterday, lis now in commission
and could readily concentrate against
Valparaiso. All we need is "a fleet of
transports and merchantmen"
Secretary of the Navy Tracy has been in
New York for week. 1t is said that his
mission here is TO obtain options for the
charter of such merchant vessels as the
government can use to advantage TO rein
force the navy.
The secretary has been in conference
almost daily with Commandant Henry
Erben of the Brooklyn navy yard, and it
is believed that he has also seen some of
the big steamship men.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-If an air of mys-
terry is significant the remarks and bear.
ing Of the officials of the Navy Depart
ment mean belief that war with Chile is
imminent. Until recently there was no
difficulty in obtaining information in the
department regarding the South Ameri-
can Republic. Now every one, from the
office boy to the Secretary, becomes silent
when Chile is mentioned, while the chiefs
of bureaus arch their brows and look wise.
lts worse i'm the State Department.
There the attaches turn into stone statues
when asked for news from Minister Egan.
\ little patient inquiry, however, has re
suited in the obtaining of information
sufficient TO warrant the statement that
in the minds of leading officials of both
departments there is now no alternative
for the United States except, as it Is put,
''to teach Chile lesson"
In the Navy Department the belief that
Chile intends to delay her reply is based
on the idea that that country wishes TO
secure the services of her new vessel, the
Captain Pratt now building i'm France.
The Miantonomoh is being rapidly fitted
out TO take care of the Captain Prat If it
becomes necessary The belief that IL will
be necessary not only to make big show
Of power in Chilean waters, but also to fire
some guns, is, IL can be safely said, enter
tained by every official in the department.
BROOKLYN, Dec. 24-Work at the navy
yard is still being prosecuted night and
day, and to-day the Miantonomah is the
only vessel left in commission at this yard.
She is being made ready for service with
The utmost speed. A reporter who
called TO see Capt. Erben, the COM
mandant of the yard, this morning was
denied admission, and was told that the
commandant had just received a large
batch of correspondence from Washing
ton, and would see no one till he had eX-
amined his mail. a naval officer said
mo one can tell whether this means war
or not, but the Navy Department has
been wide awake for several months, and
il is now ready 20 put at short notice a
fleet in Chilean waters that no one can
sneer it.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 25.-The cruiser
San Francisco will sail Tor Chile next
saturday Orders were received TO that
effect yesterday by Admiral Brown.
NORFOLK, Va, Dec. 24.-Special orders
have been issued to rush ahead the work
of preparation on the L. :. :. Newark,
and the men are working day and night
to finish it. A local company has placed
electric lights in the yard, so that the men
continue to work at night. The Newark
must be made ready TO sail south on the
9th or 2Sth at the latest.
Register. 1t viii be too late after Decem
ber 81.
The Fog I'm London.
4 ~ II. i -. A.