The Forrest City times., 1892-01-22
HAS THE WAR BEGUN?
YORKTOWN REPORTED FIRED
 ON BY THE cHILEANs.
Great Excitement in washingto at the News. Which Secretary Tracy Ridicuies Chile Is HustlIng for More War ships-The Capt. Pratt Ready.


 in the harbor at Valparaiso by the Chileans. The startling rumor caused great excitement for awhile, and there was much anxiety to ascertain if there was any truth in it.
 To-day's Cabinet meeting may de- termine the momentous question of peace or war between Chile and the United States. Great Britain is taking a hand in the affair, and yesterday number of cable dispatches passed between the London for eign office and Sir Julian Pauncefote. England, alarmed for the security of her subjects financial and commercial interests in Chile. is endeavoring to induce the San tiago government to ask for the medi- ation of Great Britain as last resort for the prevention of war, which would be almost as disastrous to English as to Chilean interests.
 When the story was reported to Sec retary Tracy he treated it very lightly, and was disposed to ridicule it. He added that he had no news whatever to communicate to the press.
 The information which has reached the Navy Department through its secret channels about the doings of Chilean representatives abroad does not argue we'll for peaceful adjust ment of the difference between the two countries. Neither does it please the naval people who have all along been fearful that the administration would delay bringing affairs to a crisis until the Chilean government had strength ened its navy by the addition thereto of the Capt. Pratt and several other formidable vessels, with which the United States navy owing to lack of armored vessels, would find it most dangerous to compete.
 According to the intelligence re- ceived here the Chilean officer ordered to La Seyne, France, to superintend the fitting out of the vessel report such progress that there is now no pos sible way of preventing it from leaving the port of France before war is de- clared. It still lacks the four nine-inch guns, but it has most of the remaining portion of its battery, and is in such a forward state of completion that there is nothing to prevent it being put in commission at any time.
 With the vessel paid for and the Chilean flag flying France would not interfere to prevent it leaving that country in advance of a declaration of war. The United States is pretty sure to have this dangerous armor-clad to look after, whatever may happen, and it cannot be said that our naval folks are happy over the prospect, consider ing that we have nothing available to compete with it at the present time that is, an armored vessel of the same degree of speed and fighting strength. The Monterey or Miantonomah will be more than a match for it under certain conditions, but it has the speed to keep out of their way, and while doing so might play havoc with our commerce or our unarmored cruisers.
 It is also reported to the Department from reliable sources that Chile has representatives negotiating for the pur- chase of the two armored coast defense vessels building by Messrs. Laird Bros. of Birkenhead for the Argentine Re- public. These vessels were ordered by the latter government, but owing to the financial panic in that country it is not able to pay for them. Hence they are on the builders hands and Chile is doing all in its power to get possession of them. They are armor-clads of 2,700 tons displacement,c carrying s-inch guns, and with compound armor inches in thickness.
 Commander Evans will proceed with the refugees on board the Yorktown to Callao, Peru, at his own discretion. These orders were cabled him by Sec retary Tracy.
 Work in the New York Navy-yard.
 NEW YORK, Jan. 20. .-Yesterday ush- cred in a period of activity at the New York navy-yard unknown since war times, when 12, 900 men were employed there. The number of ships now fit- ting out in the yard is small, including only the two monitors, Miantonomah and Nantucket, the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius, and the torpedo-boat Cush- ing. The activity is not caused by any of work greater than the yard has usually handled, but rather be- cause of necessity of hurrying work and accomplishing in weeks time what usually takes the navy-yard work l men two months to do. Orders from Washington have been received that | not an hour is to be lost: that all avail | able mechanics shall be kept to work, and if necessary that work be carried l on day and night.
 Great Activity at Mare Island.
 SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Jan. 20.--If ap- pearances count for anything the navy is losing no time in fitting out vessels at Mare island navy-yard for immediate dispatch to Chile should require it The steam en- gineering force worked all day Sunday and began again yesterday morning. is being paid to work on the and not a single hour is be- ing lost in preparing her to ges away.
 Eats and Talks, But Still sleeps.
 VIRGINIA, Ill.,, Jan. e0.-John Roberts, the sleeping prisoner in the county jail here, shows no signs of awaking. This is his eighth day sleeping, and although taking food when placed to his lips he is very weak. In his stupor he has oc- asked to see his father, but h