The morning call., 1892-01-26
IN CASE OF WAR.
Ships and Men That San Fran
cisco Can Furnish.

Some citizens believe war with Chile ineyi-
table and laugh at the idea OF the saucy little
South American republic taking water. In all
the downtown hotels, saloons and restaurants
the topic OF conversation was the coming war
with chile. reporter made round OF the
water front last night and judging by the man
ner in which the situation was viewed by the
people IN that part Of the city they are unaDi-
nous on one pOint-War.
That It would be popular war with the labor
ing classes was evident when seventeen out OF
twenty In one house announced their intention
OF entering either the army or navy at tie first
call for volunteers. The United States would
find thousands OF good seamen ready to man her
ar-shipS, and II would take but snort time 10
make nrst-class fighters out of them.
COAST sEAMEN WOULD RESPOND.
a prominent member OF the Coast Seamen's
Union said that fully half OF the men belonging
to that organization would respond to the call
for men. This organization alone would furnish
at least 1000 trained seamen, nor would engl-
neers aud hremen be wanting, as the men EN-
ployed in the steamers running out OF san
Francisco look on brush with Chile To the light
OF a picnic, aud would gladly volunteer for
service on the Government cruisers.
] here is quite a number OF vessels now In the
harbOr that would be available 10 be used as
transports, independent OF those that could be
pressed into service TO carry coal and other
steamers Alameda, MaripOSa, Australia aud
ZaalaBda, the Pacific Coast Steamship Com
paUy steamers santa h1Sds lily OF u6Uid5
UmaiIla and the Wala Walla would all make
ftstClass transports aud could all be armed
with light guns bat would contribute largely to
their own defense II attacked by any Of the
smaller ships Of The Chilean navy
In addition To these HE Pacific Mall Company
could furnish al least eight large steamers at
short notice In addition 10 those OIL the Atlantic
side. Thus at least sixteen frst-class transports
could be made ready 10 very short time II
needed fleet OF steamers capable OF carrying
fully 600 tons OF coal, or other freight. could
he secured IN fl ON one 10 Two weeks, every one
or them capable Of making the run 10 Chile in
thirty days.
OTHER AVAILABLE CRAFT
There are at least six large tugs in the haTbOr
that would make fairly good tOrpedO-bOats with
but little alterations and could also b. used 10
landing troops and war materials from the trans
ports. The Pomona and Corona could he used
10 great advantage as dispatch-boals, as they are
fine sea boats and have good speed.
Many OF the smaller tugs could be used as
picket boats, that could watch the coast ard
guard against the approach OF any Chilean
cruiser that would be reckless enough 10 pay
visit 10 the California coast; and they could also
be used as tOrpedO-DOats II needed Tor the de-
tense Of the harbOr. These are facts that the
Government officials aye doubtless fully aware
or and should war be declared the ships would
soon pass INTO the hands of the naval authorities
Ii is safe 10 say that many OF the crews, from
the captains down, would volunteer 10 stay by
their vessels, aud could be relied on to perform
any service required OF them.