Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-20


the Chileans by reason of the wreck ol
the steamship John Elder. The state
ment that they were placed on that ves-
sci in disguise at Valparaiso is incor-
rect. The fact that the Esmeralda has
gone to the wreck of the John Elder,
however, might indicate that the local
authorities incline to the impression
that the refugees were passengers on
that vessel.
THE PHILADELPHIA LEAVES BARBADoEs.
Word has been received in Washing
ton that the Philadelphia, the flag ship
of Admiral Gherardi's squadron, has
sailed south from Barbados, presuma-
bly, for Montevideo. This indicates a
general naval movement of importance,
as the station lines of the naval system
are regarded as absolute, except in cases
of emergency. There is considerable
speculation as to who would be placed
in command of the naval force in the
Pacific, in case of war, but the general
opinion centers upon Rear-Admiral
Kimberly, who is at the head Of the
active list.
AN ACT OF FRIENDSHIP.
An Associated Press reporter had an
interesting talk today with Chilean
gentleman with regard to the recent act
of the minister of foreign affairs in
informing Minister Egan that the refu-
gees now on the Yorktown would be
liable to seizure if the vessel on which
they were to leave Chile for Europe,
touched at any OF the local ports of that
country. According to this gentleman,
the only inference to be drawn from the
action OF the minister of foreign affairs
is that the Chilean government really
meant it for the benefit of the refugees,
instead of notice to attempt to secure
their persons. The Chilean government,
he said, never asked their deliv-
cry from the legation, and never
offered to give them safe conduct out
of the country. They travelled "in
concealment" from Santiago to Val
paraiso, and although the government
was fully aware OF this it was officially
ignorant" of the circumstances. But
after it was informed officially that they
were aboard the gunboat Yorktown, and
intended to sail for Europe on a steamer
touching at Chilean port, the govern
ment was compelled to take cognizance
OF the fact, and then notified Egan that
the refugees would be liable to seizure il
found on such merchant vessel in q
Chilean port. 1t was to avert this seiz-
ure that the minister of foreign affairs,
with friendly intentions, reported to the
American minister what might be ex-
pected to happen. The government
could not interfere in the process of the
courts which would have caused the ar
rest the refugees.
LULL IN WAR TALK.
There was lull in the talk today
with reference to the Chilean matter on
the house side of the capitol. The dis
position is to await the receipt of the
presidents message before endeavorine
TO form any decided opinions on the
subject. The feeling expressed was
nearly all on the side OF disbelief in wal
as the probable outcome OF the trouble
The members could not say just in what
way they expected the trouble to pass
away, but there was general concur.
renee OF opinion that it would do 80 in
some way or other. A number of,Demo
cratic representatives who were talked
with deprecated war with so small ma
ton as Chile, and said the United States
is large and strong enough to afford to
overlook a great many things rather
than proceed to extremities.
A PACIFIC ASPECT.
During the afternoon a report was ID
circulation that the situation had as
sumed slightly more pacific aspect. II
was rumored that Great Britain had in.
tervened and offered her good offices to
bring about a peaceful adjustment of the
relations between the two countries. No
official confirmation of this rumor could
be obtained by the members, but it
found credence with many, from the
fact that it had been anticipated that an
amicable arrangement might be reached
through the friendly interposition OF
some third nation, and Great Britain,
with her vast interests i'm Chile, was
looked upon as the most likely to be the
intervening power. A difference OF opin-
ion was manifested as to whether or not
the United States ought to accept the
mediation of any third party, without
an expression from Chile of regret at
the lawless acts of her citizens and dis
avowal of official connection or svmpa-
thy with them.
Many members thought, in view of
Chile's comparatively small size, this
government need not be at all rigorous
in its requirements. One member said
the United States ought not accept
mediation without first receiving an
apology from Chile.
knowledge OF the fact that the'Cap-
tain Pratt, Chile's formidable war yes
sci, now building in France, can be
turned over tu Chile in short time,
makes the members from the seaboard
cities anxious that the presidents mes
sage to congress should be soon forth
coming, il trouble is to be feared.
While talk today is favorable to peace,
many Democratic members said plainly
if fighting did come they were in favor
OF pushing it vigorously and relentlessly,
omitting no measure to give Chile a
severe lesson.
ALLIANCE SENATOR'S DEPRECATE WAR.
Should the president recommend con-
gress to declare war against Chile, the
vote of congress would be one OF the
most emphatic alternatives ever re-
corded in the capitol. But there would
be minority, and there the maker OF
history will find the two Alliance
senators, Kyle and PETER. What lrby
would say were he here is not known.
KYLE thinks war with Chile would be a
national disgrace; that is, the idea OF
going to war with so small a country is
criminally ludicrous. PETER said: "The
feeling that the trouble at Valparaiso
constitutes a cause for war, springs