Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-27
THE CHILEAN SITUATION.
The War Feeling Iesscniag on Account Of
Chile's Reply.

NOTIFICATIONS WHICH WILL BE SUGGESTED RY
TIE PREsIDEST-wHr WAR WOULD RE pE-
sIRABLE AND ApvssTAGEoys-soMs BELIEVE
CHILE WILL DO ALL THAT Is WANTED.
!. The war spirit Of the apti-Chilean part Of
the country conferred in Washington has un-
doubtedly been chilled by the prospect tina;
the semi-apoloyy from Chile. now in hand
here, viii be supplemented by more complete
reparations. 1t is admitted on all sides
by the most belligereBt that the chances
are now in favor OF peaceful
solution of the problem. Though the propo-
sitions advanced are regarded being far from
satisfactory. the mere fact of Chile's doing any
thing in the line of d,savowal is thought TO be
sufficient to cause enough of a division Of senti-
meni IN this country to render kostilities out
o. the question FOR the immediate present
lha Is a serious disappointment 10 TIE naval
ana army cidcors as body. Tor they have
been very earnest IN their hopes for a chance
to get whnck at the Chilosus The naval
officers are particularly sore over the slump in
the WAX usraot. for they have had experience
IN the southern continent and are acquainted
with the intense au.i-hmeriean feeling that
exists IN Certain parts c:It
WHY 4 War WOULD RE DrsrRABIE
Aside from these mer. however. there is
large class Of sobCr-tempered citizens who
welcomed the possibility of a war on nation
ally selfish grounds, wholly distinct from the
issues of the case.
One of these said this morning: There are
three distinct reasons why a war with any ma
ton would lie desirable and beneficial at thJs
time. EIrst. II would so enerEIzv and stimu-
late oUr forces as 10 place our war power on a
basis where We co"ld cope with England.
We are woefuliy weak WHEN we
( face tie many Vital Issues between ourselves
and Great Britain that are still unsettled the
Berlng sea dispute. the Newfoundland fisheries
quesio the Hawaiian islands problem, tn
matter OF the Alaskan border line and
even the topic OF Canadian auueNa-
ton These are orr danger signals and We
cannot meet the emergencies nnless we have
something Ia the WY OF a national tonic TO I ut
our navy, our army and our coat GetcDscs on
"a proper war basis. A WAY with Chile, / argue,
would accomplish this end
second. IL would strengthen and establish
our prestige abroad. particularly in the south.
where We are today without sufficient landing
Internationally 70 protect our citizens. An
apology from Chic would weaken Us sti!l more
! IN that respect and would render the problem
still more difficult Of solution an the end.
Third, and most important from domestic
point of view, foreign war would DO more
than anything else to heal the wounds left by
our civil war of a quarter OF a century ago. 1t
would cement the whole country together, and
nationaiize rather than sectionalize the peo-
pie.
''Of course" he continued ''these are selfish
rensons, and perhaps insufficient, but, coupled
with the Issues IN the present case, regard
them as strong"
THE END Sor YET.
However that may be, the news tina. Chile's
propositions had been submitted in part
through Minister Esan seemed to create a new
movement in the market of an undoubtedly
peaceful tendency. Here and there is TO be
heard sach an opinion that tine bottom had
dropped out OF the war, but for the most part
it WAS believed that though the possibility OF
war had practically been ayer:ed the end OF the
case had not vet been reached.
Liberal minds have tendency to view the
case much as that OF a man taking cold bath
in winter. Chile. they urge, Is IN the attitude
Of an invalid. who cannot tlunSe IN all over
az once. but must begin by wet.lng hor toes. 20
rs net to shock tae system too severely. An
out-and-out apology. II Is said, would be very
severe shock to the se.f-rUspect of Chic.
especially rs 1t has been obtained 10y some
thing very like threat. No one could Reason
ably expect the little republic, these people
contend, TO take a plunge all AZ once. and II
must not DE regarded as offensive If she vets
hestoes first by proposing just little and
tE.c"lng some noD-ssscItiais in for good
measure, s;.ch rs the offer 20 Withdraw tie de
nland for the recall of Sir. Egan.
ABLUFF TO GAIN TIME.
Then again there is n strorg sen timent preva-
lent in many quarters 10 the effect that this
| seeming apology is all bluff to gain time.
An officer WHO has every reason to be posted
thoroughly on the situation asserted this morn
ing TO STAR reporter tina; the thlieans intend
to fight the United States and tlat these propo-
sItlons are but part o. a teBporlzIng policy.
they are foolish enough TO think. lie added,
nat hay ~ nil 81
fully intend to force war If possible.
Another officer said that way between Ger
MANY ana Chile Is but matter Of time and
that when il comes IT Will be absolutely neces-
sary for the United States to take a hand for
her own protection. This light on the case he
asserts to be important even now.
No NEW FACTS.
There were no new facts 70 be developed TO-
day in the premises. The officers of the cabinet
preserve perfect silence on the subject of
Chile's advances, and will not admit or DENY
anything. However. it Is generally believed
that Mr.. Egan has sent a dispatch containing
the bases of Chiies ground for settlement, aud
that this government Is now considering the
question Of acceptance. The bases are practi-
cally as printed yesterday.
Secretary Tracy was confined to his house
today with slight attack OF rheumatism.
Capt Schley, the commander of the Balti-
more. who had conference with the Secretary
yesterday afternoon and later with the Presi-
dent, said to a STAB reporter this morning that
1t would be improper for him TO
make any statements whatever in
regard to the controversy. Lieut.. McCrea OF
the Baltimore. the officer who accompan led tue
men to court in Valparaiso and acted as their
interpreter. is also in the city. No movements
Of vessels were announced today.
Orders have been sent to Commander Evans
at Cailao authorizing him 10 give his men
shore liberty, requested IN his cabiegram,
but containing no directions for his future
movements.
Secretary Blaine spent some time at the State
Department. receiving diplomatic callers.
Representative Blount. chairman of the
House committee On foreign aftaIrs called at
the department and had a chat with Assistant
Secretary Wharton, aud later with tie Secre-
;afy when the latter arrived. The topic OF dis
cUsSs Jon was the question OF making TIE Chilean
reply public IN Congress. 1t is probable that
the additional correspondence will be sent to
the Capitol in a few days.
The case practically stands at the present
exactly as II dId twenty-iour hours ago.
THE FEELING IL CONGRESS.
The Senate foreign relations committee held
another meeting this morning on the Chilean
controversy and spent about an hour in dis
cussion of the subject. 1t has been
decided to conduct the proceedings Of the
committee in secret. and for this
reason it is more than usually difficult to ascer-
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