, 1891-12-24
A CRISIS COMING.
Secretary Tracy is Looking for
Merchant Vessels.
The War Depar tment Preparing
for an Emergency Recruiting


for an Emergency Recruiting
Western Posts-VoIunteers.
New York, Dec. 24-If the statements
made by naval officer who should be in a
position to know what is going on in naval
circles are correct, the United States gov
ernment will take steps in few days to
bring matters in the Chilian affair to a
crisis. Secretary Tracy has been in New
York for a week. 1t is said that his mis-
sion here is to obtain options for Tie char
ter Of such merchant vessels as the govern
ment can use to advantage to reinforce the
navy
| Thesecretary has Been in conference al
most daily with Commandant Esben. ofthe
Brooklyn navy yard and, it is believed, he
has also seen. some big steamshipmen, as
| was related in a dispatch from San Fran
cisco Saturday. Admiral Brown has se-
cnred an option on the new tug Fearless,
which is speedier than any vessel in the
Chilian navy. He has also obtained prices
on vessels to be used as transports, OF to be
armed, If necessary. If the government
Is securing options on the mer-
chant vessels at San Francisco
it would seem but natural to suppose it is
pursuing the same course in the port of
New York, where SO many more steam
ships are available. The naval officer who
gave the information in this matter, said
that men In the navy who were close to
the secretary confidently predicted there
would be crisis in the Chilian affair
within the next ten days. He said 1t was
understood that President Harrison would,
IN few days, send special message to
congress advising decision in dealing
with the Chilian government Immediately
and demanding satisfaction for the massa-
ere Of Baltimore's sailors. Since the kill-
ing OF the American seamen at Valparaiso,
SIX war ships of the new navy have left the
Brooklyn yards. They were flag ships
Philadelphia, Rear Admiral Gelerardi of
the West Indian squadron: Chicago,
which carries flag OF Rear Admiral Walker,
of the South American squadron, and At
1anta, Concord, Bennington and Petrel.
They are now either in the West Indies or
enrOute to South America.
CHICAGO, Dec. 24.-A Washington spe-
cial says there are some facts that point
strongly to the probability of war. The
war department is forwarding recruits in
squads of forty or fifty as rapidly as posi-
BILE to fill and complete regiments in the
far West and on the Pacific coast. General
Scbofield said 10000 men are available to
send out of the country, but no more could
be spared from the general army Gun
carriages are being shipped to San Fran
CISCO IN sections and guns will follow at an
early date. General Schofeld has been
twice summoned before the cabinet ard
has given it as his opinion that if 1880
men are sent out Of the country it will ~
quite possible to fill their places in the reg
ular army at home by temporary enlist
ments from the militia o1 a certain quota OF
regulars equipped for actual service at army
posts, to be called for from each state In
case the 10000 men transported to Chill
should not be enough, it is reported the
president may call for 10000 volunteers for
a year.
WASHINGTON, Dec 24.-It is stated semi
officially that the patience Of the admins
tration is nearly exhausted, as develop.
ments in the Chilian situation seem to in
dictate determination on the part of Chill
to defy the United Statesq 70 submit to
such a course will inevitably subject the
president and his advisers to charge at
home of trihing, and will encourage more
serious manifestations Of disrespect abroad.
The American view Of the case, Secretary
Blaine is now at work on. When it is fin
ished the president will make it part of a
special message to congress, which, be-
sides this, will present such case against
Chill that congress can take but one view
Of it. Letters and kilograms upon
which the United States bases
its claim will be published. The
president will hold that the respect due the
United States warrants prompt and deci-
sive action. There is no doubt among for
eign legations here whose opinions are Of
any consequence, that the United States
must hold Chill responsible for the vio-
lence Of it's mob, or fail to perform its
duty under International stipulations.
This is known to be the view Of English,
French, German, Spanish and Russian
representatives, and this sentiment has
greatly strengthened the president in the
course he intends taking.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24.-The flagship
San Francisco will sail at noon OH Satur-
day next unless contradictory orders are
received. AS her orders are sealed, her
destination is matter Of conjecture, but
there is little doubt she is bound for Chill.
It is expected supplies and mail for the
steamship Charleston will be transferred to
that vessel, probably at Acapulco. The
naval reserve battalions, under Lieutenant
Commander Chandler, will visit San Fran
cisco today, and inspection and drill will
take place on the cruiser. No guns will be
fired, but full explanations Of their work
ings will be given by gunners. Fires in
two furnaces are banked, while the steam
gauge records seventy pounds of steam.
The cruiser is ready to 20 to sea at a mo-
ment's notice. All hands are kept closely
on board and a few officers who come on
shore are limited to an hour or two.