The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-17

will not be hurriedly forced into giving
way, VIII make the amends due 70
the United States. Then will arise the
question of indemnity. and arbitration is
looked forward 10 as the probable outcome
Of this phase of the case. 1t is pointed out
by members who have made a stuiy Of
diplomatic affairs that, an apology having
previously been made, this would not be an
arbitration of the question of honor, but
merely a settlement of the damages to be
awarded.
HIsToRY's PRKCEDENTs,
History, it is said, is full Of instances of
resort to arbitration in cases where previous
utterances or actions of nations had appAr-
entity estopped them from invoking this
method OF settling disputes. aud of cases in
which, where natioEs themselves could
not take the initiative in pro-
posirg arbit; atior, they have &C.
qulesced in the suggestions Of friendly
third power that arbitration take the place
OF bloodsbed as means OF settling q dis
pute. Some fear is entertained that Chile
in asserting bsr independence and freedom
from outside pressure may by procrastina-
tion bring about q state OF things which
VIII terminate in rupture Of the relations
between the two countries and
that hostilities may then ensue,
though this latter is regarded as unlikely
and improbable. Members who express
themselves in this pacific manner also inti-
mate very plainly, however, that they will
not be backward i'll upholding the admin
lstratlon in the steps necessary To the main
tenance OF the national dignity and self
respect.
CHILE'S INTENSE PRIDE.
One senator called attention to the In
tense national pride of the Chilean people
as accounting for the delay of the govern
ment in making reparation. He said that
President Montt was in a position beset
with difficulties. No doubt his disposition
was to make amends for the Baltimore out
rage, but to do 30 without leading his peo-
pie TO believe that he was not sacrificing
the national dignity would bring down upon
his administration the wrath Of the excit-
able and sensitive people, and might cause
another revolution.
"They have to talk to the galleries down
there just as we do here, said the senator.
In this relation be recalled the fact that
President Of the United States had made
himself very unpopular with a certain
over-sensltive class of people by making an
apology 30 Great Britain for the seizure of
Mason and Slidell although sober second
thought justified the propriety Of his ac-
ton.
$50 it is," said he, that President Montt
probably has before his eyes the resentment
he must encounter when he tenders an
apology to the United States; and is merely
taking such time as is necessary to reason
this sensitive element Of his people into line
with his proposed apology"
SAN FRANCIsco's DEFENsES.
Dlligent inquiry at the war department
fails to disclose any warllke preparations
on the part of the army. Men are at work
on the Notifications around San Francisco,
but this work was begun last spring, before
there were apy suggestions OF war with
Chile. For the comfort of Californians,
who have been represented as
defenseless, it may be stated on
the authority of the ordnance officers that
the Golden Gate is defended by some l5-inch
guns, which though smooth bores, are yet
most formidable weapons. Experiments
made at Sandy Hoek with guns OF
this type have shown that the pow
der charges may be largely
increased as compared with what were
regarded as safe charges during the war
improvements in slow burning powders
have made this possible, and now 15-inch
smooth bore with charge of $50 pounds OF
powder, will throw projectile Weighing
450 pounds q distance of nearly four miles.
At 1000 yards. the usual naval fighting
distance. this heavy shot will penetrate ten
inc es Of armor, and the Chileans have as
vet no vessel that could Withstand suoh q
projectile.
AN OLD AGREEMENT.
A curious outcome of the present agtta~
| tion was the publication to-day by the war
| department. Of convention framed as long
| ago as 1864, to which the United States and
| Chile have since signlisd their adhesion.
! In view of the allegations that have been
made TO the effect that the Chileans practice
| inhuman barbarities Ia war, such as mRssa-
| cring prisoners and wounded men and
mutilatiug dead bodies, it may be reassur-
| ing TO our soldiers to know that
this is a convention Tor the the
amelioration Of the wounded In the
armies in the field.n By some oversight
| the convention was never before officially
published. 1t tguarantees the neutrality and
| protection Of the ambulance and hospital
| CORDS and provides that wounded or SICK
| soldiers shall be entertained and taken care
of without regard to nationality. 1t also
| contains ample provision for succoring or
! wounded OF wrecked sailors and in brief
throws around combatants every possible
guarantee of humane treatment in the event
| OF their being wounded or captured.
! FIXING UP OLD MONITORS.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Jan. l6.-Orders
have been received at the League island
navy ward to put In proper condition and
| get ready for seq the monitor Montauk,
| which has been laid up in ordi-
uarvn on the Delaware river front,
! ynoored to the monitor wharf since 1888
The Montauk was built during the war.
| She has a single revolving turret. In which
ars mounted two 15-inch ritied guns,
| which are formidable weapons for use In
coast and harbor defence. The first thing
necessary will be TO place the Montauk on
the dry dock. and preparations for dolng
40 will be begun tomorrow, Sunday. There
are two other monitors at League
Island, the Nahant and the Jason.
| They arc similar to the Montauk
in construction and armament. They have
borh been recently docked and had their
| bottoms cleaned and painted. 1t Is under>
stood that as soon as the Montauk's ma
cbinerv has been connected and made ready
! FOR operation similar work will be done on
| the Nahant and Jason.
! THE COAL SUPPLY.
| SAN DIEGO, CAL, Jan. 16.-Admiral
Rrown was interviewed last night for an
oninion as to the report that vessel had
been chartered by the government TO take e.
cargo of coal from Nsnaimo to Chile. he
sajd he aid not believe word OF 1T that
the government would not take coal tnere
ercept under stress Of circumstances.
"We eau get ell the coal we want at Aca-
,,,lco and in Peru" he said, land 1t Is ap-
surd to think the government woula go way
up to Nanaimo."
FLAMES IN a CHURCH.
o,s of the Handsomest Edifces in
Washington Damaged.