Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-17
ENGLAND MAY INTERFERE
The United States Has Twenty-Five
: Vessels in Good Shape.
NO SIGNIFICANCE IN ACTIVITY.
Short Work Would Re Made of Chile if
England Would Not Step in.
NO ORDERS At ALLEGHENY ARSENAL

| PIlulco NcslcIucN "ctC COuslurlSu
cant by thoughtful people, and for the first
time rumors of war were afoat. The dis
pute between the two governments has at
tracted general attention, but the people
were until Yesterday content in the belief
that the dispute would be cleared away
without resort to violence on either side.
81 paid little or no attention to this
Chilean matter until today" said General
Gallupe, retired army officer, Hho was
found yesterday consulting with General A.
L. Pearson. "The reports to-day, while not
alarming, more or less indicate that both
countries are in dead earnest in the matter
and that both mean business. The fact that
the arsenals throughout the United States
have been ordered to prepare munitions of
war and to make cartridges and explosives
has little significance in my mind. That is
but the legitimate work of the men there.
1 am fearful that England will interfere in
our dispute That, indeed, would create
serious trouble.
''Is the United States prepared to precip-
itate war with Chile?" was asked.
American Navy Is in Good shape.
Certainly Chile has no army to speak
of Her navy, however, is small, but is in
magnificent trim. Chile alone would not be
a consideration with US. Her navy, as 1
say, is small but perfect. Ours is large and
in my judgment just as perfect. They have
four magnificent vessels, while we could
put to sea tomorrow with % vessels, as
firm and slaunch as we ever launched.
While there has for years been a great deal
of talk about our navy, it is not what 1t has
been represented-a mere collection of old
hulks. 1t is magnificent navy, equipped
with all the munitions of modern warfare,
and it can be strengthened and added to
within short time. Extraordinary efforts
| have been making for several years to
prepare our navy for prompt and efficient
action in any emergency, and we are GER
tainly much stronger to-day than the world
considers us. With Chile alone we could
settle all the trouble without making a stir
even in our army circles. We would bom-
bard Valparaiso take the city and land
10000 men to hold the city. That is all
there would be of that dispute. But Eng
land threatens to interfere 1 am hopeful if
England does interfere it will be in the
way of some compromise or some effort to
settle the pending dispute"
Not in Shape to Cope With England.
eIs the rnited Stotes Government nre-
-, a. an - ,r,r ,,;th E,u,on5 -, tb;.
time?" was asked the General.
No." was his prompt and positive an
swer. The General hesitated for moment
and serious look spread over his pleasant
face. "No," he repeated, eve are not pre-
L
Our Pacific Coast is absolutely unprotected.
The coast water there is too deep for the
explosion of torpedoes and our mortars have
not vet been placed there 1t is also a
grave question if New York is protected
properly in the event. of trouble with
England.
"What is Eugland's naval strength, " was
asked.
'eNo one knows accurately. The English
Government moves in a mysterious way
when trouble is contemplated. Tnose who
are best acquainted with our naval strength,
and who shou]d be hest acquainted with the
strength of England's navy, do not hesitate
in saving that we are better equipped for war
than any other country on the globe. Our
officials at Washington have acted always |
with disregard for Englard's navy, and,
while England has ALWAYS been treated with |
marked consideration by our Government,
it was mole through respect than fear.
who, put,brrr P.or,a s,v ~, ,,,a u...o-.
r,
Its lust question vi our government
Gnne,a, Won't ON .sTbe fact 10 that rr.n.ro nc
tions for war more or less active have been |
going on in the United States for some time. !
still contend there is no immediate danger of |
trouble. receive my orders on the third |
of this month, but there was not a word or |
SYLLABLE that would indicate that any trouble |
of serious, or. in fact, any other nature. /
was pending. 1 NAV receive other orders
at any time, but 1 really don't think 1
will"
The Chilean trouble was discussed by
gathering of old soldiers in City Hall lobby
Yesterday afternoon. All agreed that the
situation looked more critical row than Mt
any time since the dispute arose. The posi-
tion that England viii assume in the event
of war with Chile is the one question that
confounded The partv, but it was generally
accepted among them that if trouble came
England would take sides with Chile.
Among the business people rumors of
trouble are laughed at tThe markets.
foreipn and domestic. are sensitive as a
child" A Fifth ayenue merchant, said yes-
terdav "If there we're evidence. of tronh1e
between tbe Tnited States and .nv other
country we would be the first to 'ferI II.
We have noticed nothing of the kind and.
SO LONG as We are unable to feel the effects
immediate cause for alarm"