Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-20
PREPARING FOR A CLASH
Secretary EIkins Says 1t Must
.7S ssz Be Reparation or War.
A GILLIAN CRISIS CLOSE AT HAND

Secretary Tracy Is Getting His CoaIine
Stations Arranged aud Has All the De.
tails of Campaign Mapped Out-A
Harrison-Blaine Rumor Crops Out.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Secretary Elkins,
in an interview, said the situation was very
serious and that war must come unless Chill
made ample reparation. The whole matter
he added, was in the hands Of the president
and Secretaries Blaine and Tracy Tht
cabinet was in full accord with them, and
whatever they decided upon would meet
with the approval Of the other members Of
the CABINET.
Secretary Blaine sent for Senator Hale
while the latter was in attendance az thu
senate. Mr., Hale and his colleagues re
garded the summons graveiy which feeling
was not allayed when it was learned that
Mr.. Blaine wished to consult with the sen.
ator regarding Chilian affairs and not about
his illness. Mr., Hale remarked to q col
league while on his way from the Capitol
that he was really alarmed at the situation
"a stage in the negotiations has beer
reached, it is reported he observed, ''where
the least mistake on either side may pre-.
cipitate a conflict
Secretary Tracy received several callers
whose presence caused considerable specu.
lation and comment No Importance wai
attached TO the presence Of Senator Stan
ford az the department, but when Senator
Stockbridge appeared, followed by Senators
Gibson, of Louisiana; Hale, Chandler and
Blackburn, and then it was discovered that
these senators were members Of the senate
naval committee, it was at once apparent
that serious discussion was on. 1t was
not a formal call Of the committee, as it was
learned that Secretary Tracy had sent O
note to the members Of the naval committee
to call upon him for the purpose Of discuss,
ing the Gillian situation.
Is Blaine and Harrison outg
A startling rumor prevailed in the city K
the effect that the sudden departure Of Sec.
retary Blaine from the cabinet meeting was
the result Of a serious difference Of opinion
which arose between the president and him.
self The rumor further says that the score
tary's absence from the cabinet dinner was
for the same reason. MIR. Blaine has been il
consultation all afternoon and all Of the even.
ing with personal friends, and this fact lends
color to the reported disagreement. Promi.
nent politicians when spoken to in regard tc
the report expressed the fear that the III
feeling which has existed between the presi-
dent and the secretary Of state for some time
past has at length brought them to the point
Of an open rupture.
Every Prospect Of War.
Secretary Tracy finds himself with every
prospect Of a naval war on hand. He IS pre-
pared for it, however, has all the available
ships in excellent fighting condition and has
all the details Of a campaign mapped out.
He has been enabled to do this with the aid
Of the bureau chiefs, Commodores Ramsey
and Folger, Chief Engineer Melville and
Constructor Hichborn. Valuable assistance
was also rendered him by his personal staff.
consisting Of Captain Mahan, the president
OF the naval war college and theoretical
expert OF the navy; Commander Chad
wick, who is well posted on ships and their
construction, and Lieutenant Buckingham.
who was naval attache to the American
legation at London for some time.
Providing for Coaling.
A woeful want of this country is coaIing
stations in southern waters, as well as at
other points Of the globe, and Secretary
Tracy, knowing the great inconvenience TO
our vessels in the South Pacific waters in OBJ
tanning supplies Of coal, has chartered a
steamer at San Francisco to carry about
5000 tons Of coal and land it at Callao. or.
should occasion demand it, carry it further
south, where the United States men-of- war
can take on a supply at sea.
The secretary has received a dispatch
from Toulon, France, that the Chilian bat
tleship Captain Prat, which is being built at
that port and now nearly completed, will
not be ready for service before April /. This
information will undoubtedly relieve the
minds Of many people, as the Prat is re-
garded IN some circles as about the most
formidable man-of-war ever built and able
to cope with the best fighting vessel Of any
Of the great powers.
Gherardi's Assignment.
The news that the vessels in the Atlantic
had been ordered around the Horn for
service in Pacific waters was not entirely
unexpected. 1t was known that such an
order might come at any moment. The as
signment of Admiral Gherardi to the chief
command Of the naval forces in Chilian wa
ters was received with satisfaction on all
sides, his well known fighting abilities and
his popularity with officers and men alike
eminently fitting him for that position.
1t is stated that six Of the swiftest vessels
in the American merchant marine are prac-
tically ready TO be fitted out as blockaders
and transports in the event Of war. They
viii be armed with five and six inch rifles
with which the government is plentifully
supplied. Other vessels destined to become
blockaders have been designated by the
government and they win be turned over
to it when wanted
Among the many offers Of aid received by
the departments from patriotic citizens
today was one from Mr.. j. c. Addicks. Of
Philadelphia, rendering the use Of his steam
yacht, the Now Then, for use as torpedo