The record-union., 1892-01-20
Special to the REcoRD-USroN.

Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Everywherein
the Capital this morning the Chilean
question is the topic of conversation. In
his prayer the Chaplain of the House
asked for divine guidance to the Presi-
dent and his advisers and the members
of the two Houses in the present crisis,
IN that all that they shall advise, decide
upon and do shall be for the safety, honor,
dignity and welfare of the nation, and
with a spirit of justice and Cancellation to
all other nations, and have the sanction
and blessing Of the Prince of the Kings
Of the Earth.
The Cabinet meeting to-day was de-
voted almost entirely to the considera-
ton of the Chilean question. The pro-
ceedings were only temporarily inter
rupted by the slight illness Of Secretary
Blaine
The session of the Cabinet continued
until , O'clock. The only information in
regard to the proceedings that could be
secured was that no conclusion had been
reached in the Chilean matter.
There is reason to believe the Govern
ment mas received dispatches through the
Chilean Minister looking to a peaceful
and satisfactory solution OF the questions
N dispute, and they will be submitted to
She Cabinet to-day. This may possibly
do away altogether with the necessity of
referring the question TO Congress.
GREAT BRITAIN OFFERS HER SERVICES.
It is reported at the Capitol to-day that
the Government of Great Britain has
taken steps 10 bring about more friendly
feeling between the United States and
Chile and will intervene to effect a settle
nent Of the trouble. 4 memb Der Of the
Foreign Affairs Committee OF the House
said this afternoon that he had not re-
ceiVed the information officially, but
mat he had no doubt of the correctness of
{. 1t is said Great Britain has offered
her good offices, and would endeavOr to
arrange n basis on which an amicable
agreement might be reached.
SECRETARY BLAINE TAKEN Ill.
Secretary Blaine while at the Cabinet
meeting to-day experienced another at
lack of indigestion, accompanied with
nausea, and felt so uncomfortable that he
left the meeting and went riding.
The Secretary had not been at the meet
ing more than half an hour when he
complained of nausea, and said he felt
weak and faint He suggested that he
had better go home, and Secretary ElEinS
agreed to go with him. They drove to
MI. Blaine's house, and his regular
physician was soon in attendance. The
attack Is somewhat similar to the one of
a fortnight ago, but not nearly so serious,
and yielded much more readily to treat
lnent. 1t Is not likely to have any seri-
Gus or permanent effect.
The news that Secretary Blaine had
another attack similar to that Of several
weeks ago is the subject OF comment on
all sides at the Capitol to-day. Universal
sympathy appears to be expressed.
Secretary Tracy was very busy before
no. n 70
soon after reaching his office he had a
long conference with Senator Cameron.
Chairman of the Senate Naval Commit
tee. The Secretary was also to-day in
consultation, as usual of late, with his
staff officers OH various matters concern
ing the present operations of the depart
inent.
THE EsMERALDA's MISSION.
Commander Evans of the Yorktown
to-day informed the Navy Department
that the Chilean steamer Esmeralda left
Valparaiso this morning to go to the as
sistance of the British mail steamship
John Alder, reported ashore 100 miles
south of Valparaiso. 1t is learned to-day
shat the Balmaceda refugees are still on
the Yorktown, and consequently in no
danger of falling into the hands of Chill
cans by reason Of the wreck of the steam
ship John Alder. The statement that
they were placed on that vessel in dis
81 u.
rect. The fact that the iIsmeralda has
gone to the wreck ofthe John Alder might
indicate, however, that the local authori-
Ties incline to the impression that the
refugees We're passengers on that vessel.
Word has been received in Washington
That the Philadelphia, the flagship of Ad-
mlral Gherardps squadron, has sailed
south from Barbados, presumably for
Montevideo. This indicates general
naval movement of Importance, as the
station lines of the naval system are re-
garded 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.
BALMAcEDIsr REFUGEES.
An Associated Press reporter had an
interesting talk to-day with a Chilean
gentleman with regard to the recent act
of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in in
forming Minister Egan that the refugees
now on the \ orktown would be liable to
seizure If the vessel on which thew were
10 leave Chile for Europe touched at any
of the local points of that country. Ac-
cOrding 10 this gentleman the only infer
ence 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 no.
lice of an attempt to secure their persons.
The Chilean Government, he said
never asked their delivery from the lega-
tion and never offered To give them safe
conduct out Of the country. They tray
e!ed lin concealment" from Santiago to
valparaiso, and although the Govern
5Dent was fully aware of this, it was ''offi-
ciallv ignorant OF the circumstances.
7sut after il was informed officially that
they were aboard the gunboat Yorktown
and intended TO sail for Europe on a
steamer touching at Chilean port the
Government was compelled to take
cogniZaDce Of the fact and then notified
Ilgan that the refugees would be liable TO
SEIZURE If found on such merchant yes
sci in Chilean port. 1t was 10 avert
this seizure that the Minister OF Foreign
Affairs, with friendly intentions. reported
20 the American Minister what might be
expected TO happen. The Government
could not interfere in the process Of the
courts, which would have caused the ar
rest of the refugees.
WAITING FOR TILE PRESIDENTS MES
SAGE.
There-was a lull in the talk to-day with
reference to the Chilean matter on the
House side Of the Capitol. The DISPOSE
don was TO await the receipt Of the DfesI-
form any decided opinions on the sub
on the side OF disbelief III war as the prob
4bic outcome OF the trouble. The mem