Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-01-08
CHILE is VERY FOXY.
CHE rs LIKELY TO MAKE A DE-
MAND FOR ARBITRATION,
Minister Months Cable to His Govern
ment Announces War Preparations
More Trouble for Chile.

WASHINGTON Dec. 2o.-Viva Chile.
The war-threatened little South Amer
lean Republic is thinking over bright
maneuver. 1t is one that will disap-
point the fire-eaters and give the young
republic the distinction of having out
witted its big sister by a clever
thought.
Chile, feeling that she is in the right,
is determined not to apologize, even at
| the lannon's mouth. Such is the sit
uation upon the diplomatic chess board.
1t is Chile's turn to move. There is
just one square to which she can go to
marked "arbitration.' Chile may &C.
cupy this square and checkmate war
inclined Uncle Sam. A demand on the
part of Chile for arbitration instead of
al offer of apology and reparation
would materially change the aspect of
affairs.
Chile has not yet asked for arbitra
ton, but it is known here that it is
likely to do so. If arbitration of the
differences of the two countries is
asked for the Chilean advisers argue
shrewdly that the United States Con-
gress will never allow war to be de-
clared because Chile has refused to COM
ply with the demand of President Har-
rison for an apology and indemnity for
the Baltimore affair.
The Chileans who live in this country
and who understand the American peo-
pie and the present situation have been
advising President Montt and prom
inent residents of Chile to block Presi-
dent Harrison's war game by respect
fully requesting the United States to
join with them In laying the whole
matter before some commercially and
politically disinterested country.
If anything was needed to prove the
reliability of the announcements of the
war preparations as they were made
from time to time it has developed in
the action of Minister Montt, the Chill
can representative here. Mr. Montt
has all along seriously doubted the in
tention of this government to declare
war in the event of Chile's refusal to
accede to our demands He has refused
to believe that preparations for war
were being made. Yesterday, however,
he realized his mistake, and the result
was that he cablcd to President Montt
that the situation here was very seri-
GUS, that this government meant fight,
and that the navy was rapidly being
placed on war footing.
There is one chance that may prevent
the demand of Chile for arbitration.
hn - T,~.t
eminent is now simply for indemnity
and apology.
1t is reported that this demand is to
be increased, and if the crisis comes it
is to be urged upon Congress that the
honor of the country demands that it
shall be granted by Chile. 1t is nothing
more nor less than a demand for the
safe conduct of the fourteen political
refugees now being given an asylum at
the American Legation in Santiago by
Minister Egan. The Chileans say that
this demand is preposterous. They
hold that these men are criminals, and
that the right of asylum does not ex-
tend to such persons under existing
circumstances.
They recognize the right of Minister
Egan to shelter the refugees during the
heat of war and at a time of greater ex-
element. They hold that he should
now deliver them up to be tried by the
courts of the country They say that
demand that the American govern
ment shall now be allowed to take
these offenders against their laws out
of their country is absurd and unheard
of