The record-union., 1892-01-18
Special to the REcoRp.u UNION.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17-Secretary Tracy
tonight made public the following dis
patch from Commander Evans of the
Yorktown, now at Valparaiso, in regard
to the Balmacedist refugees aboard that
vessel:
VALPARAISO, CHILE, Jan. 10th.
The American Minister informs me
that the Chilean Minister Of Foreign AZ
fairs has changed his mind about the
refugees now on the Yorktown, and they
may be taken out Of any merchant vessel
touching at Chilean port by the local
authorities. Arrangements had been
made for all of them to sail to-day. but
this change on the part Of the Chilean
Minister of Foreign Affairs compels me
to keep them, which crowds me very
much. Shall | land them at Callao or
Molendo, Peru? No steamers from here
go direct to neutral territory.
This unexpected act of the Chilean
Minister is due, he states, in part to my
saluting the Spanish Minister when he
came on board to deliver two refugees.
/ have requested the American Minister
to say to the Minister Of Foreign Affairs
that | am responsible to my own Gov
eminent and not to That of Chile in such
matters, and l consider his criticism
offensive and will not accept it. His ac-
ton seems unworthy the representative
of serious Government. EVANS.
This action on the part of Pereriera,
Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, in
deciding that refugees might be taken
out Of any merchant vessels touching at
Chilean ports by the local authorities was
great surprise to the officials in Wash
ington. They were led to believe from
the fact that the refugees were allowed to
go aboard the Yorktown without moles-
tation they would be permitted to leave
the country without further hindrance.
Notwithstanding this setback to their
departure there no doubt they will be
able to get to neutral territory if the Navy
Department can bring about such Il re-
suit.
Secretary Tracy said tonight that he
will send a reply to Commander Evans
tomorrow, instructing him what to do
in the matter. He viii probably order
the refugees taken to some place in neu-
trail territory by the Yorktown. There
is no ground for otfense to the Chilean
Government in the act of Evans saluting
the Spanish Minister when the latter
came aboard to deliver two refugees who
had been under his care. The naval reg
ulatlons require commanders to extend
courtesy TO visiting dignitaries.
The latest move of the Chilean Govern
ment, as voiced by the Minister of For
eign Affairs, in the present case is very
unsatisfactory to such officials i'll Wash
ington as are willing to express them
selves with respect to the matter, 1t is
felt to be case of adding insult to in
jury. Secretary Tracy evidently regret
ted what had occurred, and seemed TO
think it an at1rOnt to the Nation.
INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER MoNTr.
Thu Dac{,p inf
the Chilean Minister, on the subject of the
supposed unfriendly feeling entertained
by the ChlieanS against Americans saws:
The statement that there is really a gem
eral untriendly feeling against Americans
in Chile is false,' said Montt. He spoke
of the fact that several weeks after the
Baltimore affray the officers of that YES
sci gave ball to the Chileans. He has
received the Chilean papers with long ac-
counts of the brilliancy of that scene. and
in praise OF the gallantry OF the American
officers as hosts, ETC., while your press
has been making war on us and preiudic-
ing your people against us,' said Mont.
~ our press has been publishing your
officials as our friends, and thus l cannot
make my people realize the feeling that
exists here. Then, you know, the sailors
of the Baltimore gave one testimony on
which our courts in Chile based their
action; when they got back to the United
States they gave testimony quite diff
ferent."
The reporter suggested that the sailors
explained that they had to sign paper in
the Chilean court without knowing what
it was.
Senior Mont became exceedingly in
dignant, and asserted with much eInpha-
sis that the sailors never signed anv pa
per in Spanish that was not read to them
in English. Is it reasonable said he.
6 that any court in Chile, even though
that court were acting an what you call a
star-chamber session, would tamper with
the testimony of an American, which it
was to forward to the American Govern
ment, knowing that the man was to re-
turn to his own country and give his tes-
timony III person to that Government?
Bah / tell you, since it narrows down to
question of veracity between an Amer
lean sailor and the court of Chile, it is
like the question Of Veracity between Jus
tice Brewer Of your Supreme Court and
Chilean sailor. Answer me, which has
the most at stake?'
" If this is the view you take of it, Senior
Montt," said the reporter, how do you
account for the apparent determination
of the United States TO so to war with
Chile?''
6 do not. Your press and your poll
ticians are ambitious, perhaps. The Eng
disappearing people in Chile are mainly
Eu8llSu SUBJECTS. Inc Americans who
have been ill-treated there are mainly
Irish, perhaps, maybe-I cannot tell.''
GOOD DEAL OF WAR TALK.
New YORK, Jan. lin an interview
to-day with General Alger, he said
There is good deal of Chilean war talk
in Washington, and war may be the out
come of the present situation The army
and navy naturally favor it, and their in
huence is being felt. War preparations
always excite and enthuse the masses of
the people, too, and the war policy is apt
to be temporarily popular on that ac-
count. But it seems to me it would be
prudent and proper TO send commission
to Chile, previous to the determination TO
begin hostilities, with view of thus Sc
curing ample reparation and avoiding an
appeal to arms, which would sacrifice not
less than 10000 lives and cost $500. 900 900.
If the commission failed, war would be
inevitable, and / only refer to the APP
pointing of commission as a means of
honorably avoiding hostilities. There is
one good result of the war scare. any
way. 1t has convinced the people of the
necessity for strong navy"
RUSHING WORK AT NORFOLK.
NORFOLK tVa.), Jan. I7.-Over 900
men are now employed in the navy yard,
ana good progress is being made with
the work on the Texas, Raleigh and the
douole-turreted monitor Amplitude.
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