The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-01-07

the CHILEAN minister, seem to in
crease rather than diminish. He daily
holds interviews with Blaine. 1t is
stated he impresses the secretary
with an evident desire to prevent a
war between the two countries, but
also freely coniesses the fear that he
will be unable to induce the new
Gillian cabinet to look at the matter
IN the light in which it is presented
to him. His only hope is i'm tempo
rizing until the Gillian government
can be brought to take his
view Of the situation,
when an amicable adjustment
can be easily reached. The dipIO-
matte correspondence on the subject
is voluminOus and is being prepared
for transmission to congress. The
contents Of the communication show
that If we 20 TO congress without an
accompanying apolOgetic message
from the Chilean authorities, it will
create such sensation that resolu-
tiou authorizing declaration wOlld,
in the opinion Of a gentleman who has
persued portion 81 it, and who il u
prominent member of u legislative
branch of our government, go through
both houses with whirl, even with
out request from the president.
Despite the denial in official quarters
chat the administration is taking steps
looking to the probability Of war
with Chile, there is a war fever in the
very air at the capitol. The depart
ments ali closed today and
no news could be obtained
but the events of the past week show
that the navy department has not
been so active in many years. The
public will draw its own deductions
from the fact What congress will do
when the president submits the Off
cial correspondence on the Chilean
controversy cannot be definitely as
certained in advance, but it is the
general belief that that body will
stand by the president in any move
looking to a vindication of the ma
tion's honor before the world, and he
ayill not lack money for such purpose.
YORKTOWN AT VALPARAISO.
VALPARAISO, Dec. 5.-The United
States gunboat Yorktown arrived
here November 30. She sauted the
Chilean flag and also the admiral of
the German squadron on entering the
port. She anchored close to the Balii-
more about a mile Off shore. Her com
mander, Capt. Evans, intends to send
men ashore on liberty within few
days, but an intendent will
he requested first to afford them
police protection. The United States
cruiser Boston left MontevideO sew
eral days ago and is expected here
within week. 1t is supposed the
Baltimore will be ordered TO proceed
20 San Francisco after the arrival of
the Boston. The Baltimore has not
been on the dry dock for n year, and
the dock in Valparaiso is not large
enough TO accommodate ship Of her
tonnage.
Capt Schley had divers at work on
The Baltimore over month and her
bottom was cleaned, but in knocking
Off the barnacles the paint has also
been taken Off, and it is necessary
that the ship be painted before the
salt water has had too great an effect
on her steel sides. San Francisco is
the most available port i'm which to
dock the Baltimore, and it is sup
posed she will arrive there about the
Girst of January.
There seems to be nothing at the
present time to indicate the necessity
of having large American squadron
in Chilian waters.
THE BALTIMORE INVESTIGATION.
Owing to the pressure which has
been brought to bear by the United
States government, the Chilean au-
thorlties are making Il serious inVesti-
CATION of the attack on Baltimore's
sailors. This investigation is still in
progress before the judge OF the court
OF crimes in Valparaiso. Capt. Schley
was requested to send men before the
court to give testimony, and the con-
ditions which he imposed was that
one of his officers should be allowed
10 attend the proceedings and act as
interpreter for the American sailors
was accepted. Lieut.. McRae of the
Baltimore, who is familiar with the
Spanish language, has been in con-
slant attendance at the court. The
principal dispute has been over the
character of the wound received by
Roggins, one of the victims. The
Americans claim he was shot and
killed by policemen, and that
the testimony of his cOmrade named
Johnson, who was with Roggins at
the time, shows that n policeman adj
vanced upon the men with his rifle in
mis- hand, and fired twice. Roggins
was then insensible, from a knife
wound and Johnson carried him to a
drug store. One ball from the police
mans rifle passed through the collar
of Johnson's shirt and entered Rog-
gins neck, killing him instantly.
The shot was fired at such close range
that .JOhnson's shirt was powder
burned.
The Chilean officials claimed that
the appearance of Johnson's clothing
Indicated the shot had been fired
from revolver, while the. police are
armed only with rifles and bayonet
swords Dr. Stitt ofthe Baltimore made
some experiments, firing at piece OF
cloth mt close range with rifle
and revolver. The result OF
experiment was laid before the court
yesterday and the appearance of the
cloth which had been fired at with
the rifle correspondent exactly with
the appearance Of Johnson's clothing
Both Dr. White and DR.. Stitt, of the