The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-01-20
cHrLE.s HOSTILE AIR.
al Reearaea IS Almoss InevI.aDI


wAsHISSTox. D. c, Jan. le.-It is COM
honly believed to be but question Of
few days when the machinery will be put in
motion 10 turn out a declaration of war
With Chile. So general is this opinion, that
whether or not there viii be war has almost
ceased 10 be a matter OF discussion, it being
regarded as practically settled now.
The only thing that would prevent it
would be very humble apology eabled by
Chile at once. That such an apology will
come neither the President, bis Cabinet, nor
anv one familiar with the situation expects.
Il Is known TO the Administration that Chi
le 5 making active preparations for war.
and that her attitude is such as TO preclude
the hope that she viii apologize
CHILEAN sPsEs SHUT oUT.
An order was issued from the Navy De-
partment this morning closing the Wash
ington Gun Factory to visitors. This is the
first time it has ever been done, and the nat
ural inference is that it is to prevent Chile
gaining knowledge Of the preparations this
Government is making.
In fact, a story comes from Tacoma,
Wash, that spies in the employ of the Chi
lean Government are located in every i'm
poFtant seaoosst town in the United States
on the Pacific Coast, making maps and stud
ying the weak points of this country. One
Colonel Beaverton claims to have unearthed
a spy in Tacoma and learned from him in
directly that other Chilean emissaries were
in the other ports
BLAINE SILENT ABOUT CHILE
In pursuance OF custom the House For
eign Affairs COMMITTEES called on Secretary
Blaine to-day, but he surprised them by say
ing nothing about our relations with Chile.
To the surprise Of the COMMITTEES be did call
to their attention the necessity for speedy
action by Congress upon the Nicaragua Ca
nal project
Several Senators and Representatives call
ed upon Secretary Blaine during the after
noon. One OF the former, who is from an
1 interior western state. said that be had
heard nothing directly from the Secretary
relating 10 Chile, but be did feel that this
country should now assert lis dignity aud
spank the bumptious little South American
Republic.
CEILEs PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
The report ed preparations OF the Chilean
Government for war, though lacking official
communication in all details as yet, are
viewed with deep concern at the Navy De-
partment. The reported shipment of torpe.
does through MOnieyideO to Chile has had
the effect Of warning the naval officers that
in the event of war they are to be met by q
foe armed with the best modern weapons.
Other unmistakable preparations are to be
discerned, it is said, such Is the reported dis
patching Of a fleet OF three cruisers and a
torpedo boat from Valparaiso under sealed
orders, which was reported from Chile
through private sources yesterday. 1t is tbs
prevailing opinion at the Navy Department
! that this feet is bound for the straits of Ma
gellan, which may be regarded to a certain
extent as the gateway to Chile.
A comparatively small number of well
2 armed vessels, adyantageously placed il
5 these straits. could, in the opinion Of nsva
. experts, hold that important passage agains
D a large fleet To be sure, this would no
, necessarily prevent the ultimate rounding o
, Cape Horn by an American squadron bOun'
for Chile, as two days steaming almos
, would carry the ships into the Pacific by al
outside route.
The theory is, however, that it is the de
: sire of the Chilean Government to affor
! ample protection to its import and coal an
I supply station at Porto Cobello in th
o straights.
7 The capture of this station would be sc
= rions blow TO Chile, and might nltimatel
J. be made an object of campaign in tn
# southern waters in case of hostilities.