The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-21
THE CHILEAN SITUATION.
No New Developments Expected for Several Day
20 Como.

No New Developments Expected for Several Days
60 Como.
There are not likely to be any new develop
ments Ia the Chilean affair for several days un-
less the little Republic concludes that her
wisest course is 10 apologize and offer repara-
ton. President Harrison has completed his
examination of tho correspondence between the
two countries, and will soon be ready 10 sub
NIT the entire matter TO the Cabinet aud then
! il will be sent 10 Congress It Is thought that
the matter will be discussed very shortly by
| the Cabinet.
Since the renewal OF the war talk, and that
contingency has boon talked about cOnsidera-
bly, in the hotel Hobbies by prominent officials.
\ the idea seems TO prevail that within three
months after diplomatic relations had been
severed between the countries the United
1 States could have the whole Chilean coast in
| her power and the Chilean navy blown out Of
the water But this feeling Of confidence does
not extend 10 the Departments. however. In
! the event Of war, the Army would Of course
be called upon 10 assist the Navy, and IL is
thought that in this branch that Chile is de-
| cidedly superior 10 the United States in point
/ of equipment and besides she has the advan-
tage or recent experience, her troops having
| lately been engaged, even though IL was in in
ternecine war. Although Chile's army is not
large, IL is fitted out with the very latest style
Of small-Rrms and the best brands Of smokeless
! powder.
Our ordnance authorities have been making
exertions 10 secure the best small caliber maya
1 zine gun, but Rs yet the ideal has not been
reached, and the United States Army would
have 10 fight the Chileans, who are armed with
MRnlicher rifles with a comparatively old.time
weapon. Besides the Chileans have the ad-
vantage over us in her torpedo equipments,
having two torpedo cruisers and - or IL torpedo
boats that have recently been tested, while the
United States has not single torpedo boat that
/ could 90 into immediate service.
Senior Montt the Chilean Minister at Wash
| ington, had several interviews with Secretary
! Blaine last week, but IL is understood that he
bad nothing 20 communicate indicating q
change Of policy on the part of the Chilean
| Government.
Dispatches from the Pacific Coast state that
/ it is known that secret agents OF Chile are
making maps Of the coast add harbor defenses.
| Col. Douglass Beaverton, formerly Of the
| United States Army, but now a resident OF Ia
coma, Wash, claims 10 have discovered q secret
agent, an officer of the Chilean Army, whom he
had known during his residence in Chile, and
who was making maps Of the coasts OF Wash
| ington. This statement is not given much
credence in Washington City.
Considerable feeling was created by the fol-
| lowing dispatch from Commander RObley ID.
Evans, Of the Yorktown:
VALPARAISO CHILE, Jan. i6 1891
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, ID. C.:
/ The American Minister informs me that the Chill
can Minister OF Foreign Affairs has changed his
/ mind about refugees now on the Yorktown, aud
that they may be taken out Of any merchant vessel
| touching at "A Chilean port by local authority.
Arrangements had been made for all Of them 10
sail to-day, but this change OF base the part Of
the Chilean Minister OF Foreign Affairs compels
me 10 keep them, which crowds me very much.
4 Shall land them AT CallRo. Peru, Molendo.
Peru2 No steamers from here 20 direct 10 neutral
territory.
This unexpected act OF the Chilean Minister OF
\ Foreign Affairs IS due be states, in part To my
saluting the Spanish Minister when he came aboard
4 TO deliver two refugees i have requested the
American Minister TO say to the Minister OF For
Il eign Affairs that am responsible 10 my own Gov
eminent and not 10 That Of Chile, In such matters,
/ and that j consider hs criticism offensive, and
will not accept a. His action seems unworthy Of
the representative Of a serious Government.
EVANS.
This action on the part Of Senior Pereira, the
\ Chilean Minister Of Foreign Affairs was great
surprise to the officials here in Washington,
they having been led to- believe that tho
refugees would be permitted 20 leave Chile
without further hindrance, aud the belief was
shared by the United States officials in Chile.
! But these refugees will be brought 10 neutral
territory, If it is possible for the Navy Depart
ment TO do so, and reply was sent 30 Com
mander Evans by Secretary Tracy instTuctiDg
him how to proceed, and il Is likely that the
Yorktown viii be ordered 10 carry them to
some port in Peru. 1t is felt by officials in
| Washington that this latest move on the part
of the Chilean Minister is an additional insult
% the United States. Such WAS the opinion of
Secretary Tracy, and he regretted very much
10 have 10 say 50.
So patriotic IS tho feeling Of Members Of Con.
gress on the subject, that should President
Harrison recommend in his forthcoming mes
sage q resort 10 arms, 10 is thought that Con-
gTess would Immediately indorse his suggest
| tions, and IL is said that the correspondence is
OF such nature that it will fan the warlike
fame which already prevails in both Houses.
A Member Of Congress, who has read the corre-
spondence, is authority for the statement that
Congress would declare war without delay upon
hearing the correspondence read, without even
a suggestion from the President.