New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-20
CONMANDER EVANS REPORTS.
HE MAKES No MENTION OF ANY FIRING on
THE YORKTOWN
THE RUMOR is THEREFORE REGARDED AS re
FUTED-MovEMENTs OF UNITED STATS
NAVAL VESSELS.

NAVAL VESSELS.
Washington. Jan 19-Onc Of the duties of
Commander Evans. Of the Yorktown, at Valparaiso.
in addition 10 his general instructions 10 keep the
Navy Department advised of the condition Of
affairs in Chilli, is TO report with promptncsS the
movements of the vessels of the Gillian navy 50
far as he is able TO ascertain. In accordance with
these specific instructions, he to-day informed the
Navy Department that the CHILEAN steamer
Esmeralda left the port of Valparaiso at o'clock
this morning to 20 To the assistance of the British
nail steamship John Elder which is reported ashore
100 miles south of Valparaiso. This was the sum
and substance Of his dispatch. That it made no
ollusion whatever to the Yorktown's having been
fred on is taken as an absolute rcfutaton of the
rumor 10 that effect circulated last evening.
II is learned to-day from source that cannot
he questioned that the Bamaccda refugees are still
on the Yorktown. and consequently are in no dan
ger of falling into the hands of the Chilians by
reason of the wreck of the John Elder. The state
ment that they were placed on that vessel in
disguise at Valparaiso is therefore incorrect The
fact that the Esmcralda has gone TO the wreck OF
the John Elder might Indicate however. that the
local authorities of Valparaiso incline to the i'm
preston that the refugees were passengers on that
vessel
Word has been rec ived in Washington that the
Philadelphia the flagship of Admiral GAerardl 5
squadron i'm the North Atlantic have sailed south
from Barbados presumably for Montevldeo.
This indicates general naval movement of impor-
tancc. as the station lines Of the naval system
arc regarded as absolute except in eases OF cmer-
gcncy
There is considerable speculation as TO who
would he placed in command Of the naval fore"
in the Pacific in case Of war, but the general
opinion centres upon Rear Admiral Kimberly
who is at the head of the active list lie Is nov
On shore duty in this city.
Secretary Tracy said tonight that there was no
truth in the printed report that Animals "hciar u
and Walker had been ordered to Chill
Secretary Tracy had busy morning before lie
went 10 the Cabinet meeting to-day. Soon after
reaching his Office ne had a long conference with
senator Cameron, the chairman OF the Senate
Naval Committee The Secretary was also to-day
in consultations AS usual of late, with his stan
officers on various matters concerning the present
operations If TIE Department Among them We're
Commodores Ramsey and Folger, Of the Bureaus
of Navigation and Ordnance; Captain Mahan and
comm ,ndcr Chadw lex
II has been aS-ertaincd that Commodore Folscr.
the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. has made
:, request Of Secretary Tracy that in case Of war
he may he relieved Of his present important duty.
and placed in command of the coast defence Ncs-'i
Monterey, now awaiting completion at san iran
cisco 1t is understood that he regards this vessel
az the most formidable one In tue Navy, and that
he considers it superior in fighting qualities 10 any
ship owned by the Chillans. including the ce'e-
hratcd Captain Prat, now Dhldlng III france i"r
the Chilian Government.
The Monterey is now complete, except as 10 her
armor and guns. One of her guns !. on lis Way
across the continent az the present time, ana the
ether is awaiting trial at the Indian Head proving
ground Work is being pushed on the armor, aud
1ommodora Foger SAYS he hopes 10 he able 10 have
the vessel ready for service within two months
providing the work can 90 on al the highest speed
London, JAN 19.-Largc sales OF American railroad
securities took place this afternoon the stock IN
change owing report that the Chilian' had fired
| upnn the United states steamer Yorktown. Nor
f. TX and Western preferred dropped Be- Lake shore
aud Michigan southern = IA and the others from
10 = Gillian securities lost Ia. The street deal
ings -hoYtd iImcr tone when 1t became known thai
secretary Tray and ether United states authorizes
knew nothing Of the IlmOr and That j, con DC con
| irmed from no source al all