The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-19
THE WAR CLOUD.
Great Activity Still Displayed in
Naval Circles.
WORK BEING PUSHED AT THE MARE
ISLAND YARDS.
The Former Charge d'Ahaires at
Washington Under the BaImaceda
Government Says the Chileans VIII
Fight to the Last Extremity Should
Hostilities Once Begfn-The Cruiser
Charleston still at San Diego.
Special to the REcoKD-UN1oN.

Special TO the TtEcoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IS.-'rhe Navy De-
partment to-day is still scene of great
activity. Secretary Tracy had frequent
consultations with bis bureau chiefs, and
outward signs denote great deal Of work
being done.
The greatest activity prevails in the
Bureau Of Naval Intelligence, the agents
of which are said to have been at work
on the plan for possible campaign. be-
side collecting all Imaginable inforna-
ton from abroad. Through this bureau
the Secretary has kept himself thoroughly
informed OH the movements of the agents
OF Chile, who, it is rumored, for some
time have been ransacfing Europe for
war material.
The comprehensive operations now con-
Quoted by the department are largely for
the purpose Of ascertaining lust what the
naval system can accomplish in the event
of hoStilities.
The President to-day denied himself TO
all visitors and worked on his Chilean
correspondence. He is preparing his
message to Congress. 1t is still the belief
the message ana correspondence will be
sent to Congress Wednesday.
The Secretary OF State was unable to
leave his house to-day, because of an at
tack similar to that OF one week ago. He
recovered from it soon. however. The
Chilean Minister had an interview with
him lasting an hour.
rumor circulated to the effect that the
Chilean Minister has notified this Gov
eminent that an apology from Chile will
! no fort booIhi1orr fpt,II Ct l,o
Colonel Reiny, Naval Judge Advocate
General, who has been conducting the
investigation into the Baltimore case at
San francisco, is expected to return to
this city tomorrow or Wednesday with
the concluding portion of the testimony.
Secretary Tracy this afternoon cabled
Commander Evans OF the Yorktown, at
Valparaiso, instructing him to take the
BalInacedist refugees, now under his pro-
lection, to Callao, Peru, and land them
there, and to use his discretion as to the
time of departure. The departure of the
Yorktown from Valparaiso would leave
the United States without a single naval
vessel in Chilean waters, the Boston be-
ing at Callao. The Yorktown could
hardly make the trip and return in less
than week. As Captain Evans is vested
with full discretion, it is not regarded
likely that he will leave Valparaiso until
he is relieved by another vessel, or is
thoroughly satisfied that the condition of
affairs in Chile justified him in leaving
the United States Minister without means
of getting out Of that country in the event
circumstances made it desirable or neCes-
sary to do so. Therefore, it is regarded
aS>probable that the Boston will be sent
to Valparaiso, although at the Navy De-
partment it is asserted that no orders
bearing on this subject have been sent.
WORK BEING PUSHED.
VALLEJO, Jan. 1S.-If appearances
count for anything, the Navy Depart
ment is losing no time in fitting out yes
sells for immediate dispatch to Chile.
should occasion require it. The steam
engineering gang worked yesterday, and
began again at O'Clock this morning.
Attention is being paid TO work on the
Baltimore, and not a single hour is being
lost in preparing her to get away. She
cannot possibly leave the yard under q
week, but is in stream and receiving coal
supplies. A significant fact was learned
to-day. Shortly after the Baltimore ar
rived at the yard each gun was provided
with sixty rounds of ammunition. This
has just been increased to 100 rounds.
Workmen are on board and her machin-
cry is rapidly receiving thorough over
hauling. Her main battery is carefully
looked after and her guns are being regu-
lated for concentration Of fire. The Navy
looking after the defense of the harbor Of
San Francisco.
For the first time in years workmen
have taken themselves to the monitor
Comanche, and her machinery is being
overhauled. Orders to dock the monitor
have been countermanded, but it is be-
| lleved she Will go into the dock at the
earliest possible moment. The orders
are believed to have been countermanded
owing to the expected arrival of the
Charleston, and she will receive attention
first.
The officers of the yard are displeased
with sensational reports regarding the
Baltimore having been injured by going
aground. She was not damaged in the
least, and the statement that she ran on
a rocky ledge is entirely without founda-
ton. The officials at the yard are some
what reticent about matters pertaining to
the expected war. 1t is not disputed that
the drydock is to be kept for the Charles
ton, and her coming is expected hourly.
She will be fioated in at once. and her
wants attended to. The general opinion
here is that the Government proposes to
have every vessel made ready as quickly
rs possible, and there appears to be some
foundation for the statement that steam
Will be gotten up on the monitor Co
manche. If such proves to be the case. it
viii be the first time in nearly twenty
years. The opinion is that the depart
ment evidently means business. Forty
eight hours will be sufficient time to do
| all that is necessary on the Comanche
The Comanche is a single-turreted
monitor, with two 15-inch smooth bore
guns. The wooden corvette Mohican is
in the stream, her repairs having been
completed. Unconfirlned reports say she
has received orders to proceed at once to
Panama. A large force of men are at
work on the Adams and Ranger.
Machinists and coppersmiths worked
overtime on the Baltimore SUNDAY. To-
day the ship is taking on 1000 tons Of
coal from barges alongside of her in the
stream.
WORK ON THE MoNTAUK.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 1S.-The work of
pumping out the great drydock at the
League Island Navy Yard, preparatory
TO the examination of the bottom Of the
monitor Montauk, was begun this morn
ing. This viii consume two or three
days. A force of men sufficient to equip
the vessel for sea in less than three weeks
has been put to work. Captain Cough
lin, the Acting Commandant at League
Island, says the monitor could be equipped
for sea. i'll one week if necessity re-
quired it.
WHAT CHILE WOULD DO IN CASE OF
WAR.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is.-George Asia
Burnaga, Charge d'Affaires of the
Chilean Legation in Washington during
Balmaceda's Administration, states the
NJ.