The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-01-20


to their best efforts in the rapid produc-
tion Of material.
But above all, the greatest activity has
prevailed for some time in the bureau of
naval intelligence, the agents of which are
said to have been at work on plan of
possible campaign, beside collecting all
imaginable information from abroad. It
is through this bureau that the secretary
has kept himself thoroughly informed on
the movements OF the agents OF Chill who.
it is rumored, have for some time been
ransacking Europe for war material. The
comprehensive operations now conducted
by the department are largely for the pur-
pose OF ascertaining just what the naval
system can accomplish in the event of
hostilities. beside stimulating everybody
10 his best efforts as a means of useful
training.
Secretary Tracy this afternoon sent
cable message to Commander Evans of
the Yorktown, at Valparaiso, instructing
him TO take the Balmaceda refugees now
under his protection TO Callao and land
them there, but to use his discretion as
to the time of his departure. The secre-
tary said this afternoon that no orders
have been sent to the Boston at Callao
contemplating any change in her station.
The departure of the Yorktown from VAL
paraiso would leave the United States
without a single naval vessel in Chilian
waters. The Yorktown could hardly
make the trip from Valparaiso to Callao
and return in less than a weeks time.
The distance between the two ports is
about 1,500 miles
AS Captain Evans is invested with full
discretion, it is not regarded as at all
likely that he will leave Valparaiso i'm
mediately, and, in fact, not until he is re-
lieved by another vessel, or is satisfied the
condition of affairs in Chill justifes him
in leaving the L. s. minister wi hou.
means of leaving that country in the event
that circumstances made il desirable or
necessary TO do so. 1t is therefore re-
garded as probable that unless the nego-
tiations take decidedly favorable turn
within a week or so the Boston, which
is the nearest ship, will be sent to VAL
paraiso in order that the Yorktown can
safely leave that port with the refugees.
1t was stated almost positively at the
navy department this afternoon that no
orders bearing on the subject have been
sent to Admiral Walker at Montevideo.
A prominent naval officer said this aft
ernoon that the Chilian minister had no
case whatever against Commander Evans
on account of the salute fired in honor of
the Spanish minister who accompanied
two of the refugees. In fact, he said,
Capt. Evans would have been liable to
court-martial if he had not done so. as the
omission would have been violation of
the naval regulations.
The president denied himself to all visit
ors to-day and worked on the Chilian
correspondence. He is preparing his meg
sage to congress in the privacy of one of
the inner rooms on the upper floor OF the
white house. Monday, though designated
as the presidents day of comparative
isolation, usually finds quite a number of
callers at the white house, but today those
were denied admission. 1t is still the be-
lief that the message and correspondence
will be sent to congress on Wednesday.
Secretary Blaine was somewhat indis-
posed yesterday and to-day, and deemed
it wise to remain indoors. His attack was
| somewhat similar to that of a fortnight ago,
but was not so severe, and be recovered
! quickly from it. Senior Montt, the Chilian
minister, visited the state department this
morning in the hope of obtaining an
audience with the secretary, but was
Obliged to call on him at his home. The
secretary received him and the interview
| lasted about an hour.
A rumor was in circulation in the navy
department in the morning to the effect
that Senior Montt had notified the govern
ment that an apology from Chill would be
| forthcoming. This could not be con-
| firmed, and it was intimated at the state
| department that there was no basis for the
report. Col. Remy, the naval judge ad-
vocate general who has been conducting
| the investigation into the Baltimore case
at San Francisco, is expected 10 return TO
this city tomorrow or "Wednesday with the
concluding portion of the testimony.
A rumoF was in circulation here tonight
that the U. S. cruiser Yorktown had been
red upon in the harbor of Valparaiso by
the Chilians. The startling rumor caused
great excitement for awhile, and frequent
calls were made on tho Associated Press
to ascertain if there was any truth in it.
When the story was reported to Secretary
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 tonight.