Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-01-21
He FEARS WAR.
MIR, Blaine Thinks Peace with
Chill Highly improbable.
Preparations of the Navy and War
Departments - Some Startling
News Sent from Valparaiso.
LOOKS VERY wARLIKE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20. ~ Secret ary
Blaine in the course of conversation
conducted with friend, left TO be in
ferred that the securing of an AMIGA
BILE settlement of the difficulty with
Chilli is highly improbable-in fact, he
broadly limited as much when asked
how the latest phase of the quarrel, the
gross insult to Commander Evans, of
the Yorktown, has affected the situa-
ton.
Feeling in Washington.
In Washington the feeling of inn
pending war is rapidly assuming the
aspect of certainty, as indicated by
groups of politicians and citizens who
seriously discuss the question and ex-
press indignation and determination to
maintain the dignity of the country.
That Message.
The presidents message to con-
gress is already printed, and unless
reparation is offered ere then, will go
to the senate Thursday. The president
awaits more detailed report from
Capt Schley and when this is received
it will doubtless be submitted to con-
gress, together with the presidents
message TO that body.
Busy with Preparations for War.
The navy and war departments are as
busy as ever in preparing to meet the
most serious emergency which might
arise. Secretary Tracy sees no hope of
n peaceful settlement, and he has
not relaxed in any way the prepare
ton for war The entire plan of cam
paign has now been mapped out so far
as is possible. The publication of any
of the details would be manifestly inn
proper, as it would furnish valuable
aid to the Chilians and would enable
them to map out line of defense.
The plan of the department contem
plates an attack in force when the
proper time comes and that cannot
be made until the ships have
been concentrated, as they are
now widely separated - some at
San Francisco, some at San Diego,
some at Montevideo, some in the West
Indies and still others at New York
and Norfolk. Considerable time will
necessarily elapse before they can all
be gathered in the neighborhood of
Valparaiso.
The war department has thus far
confined its war preparations to push
ing work on the works of defense
at San Francisco. There will be no
immediate work for the army in the
field and no steps have yet been taken
to prepare for military campaign
The work of the army would be prin-
cipally to occupy and hold the
points captured by the navy. Troops
will not be required for this service
until some time after the naval opera
tions have commenced, and it has not
been necessary, therefore, to do more
than prepare in a general way the
plans for equipping and mobilizing
the force. 1t is estimated that at least
35 900 men will be needed and possibly
as many as so, 600.
Startling News.
New YORK, Jan. 20.-The Recorders
Washington special says: "A long dis
patch has been received at the navy de
partment from Commander Evans
Capt. Evans has reported to the depart
ment that four of the best cruisers in
the Gillian navy will leave Valparaiso
January 20, for the straits of Magel-
another officer comes the additional in
formation that the captain of one of
the English ships of war in these waters
said that the Gillian commander in
formed him that the feet was going
ION special mission" You may be
astonished before long" he said.
Chill to Open the Ball Herself
The news is interpreted to mean that
Admiral Walkers feet may be halted
there and directed TO turn back or risk
fight This is the most serious indi-
cation of Chili's hostile intentions that
the department has received. Naval
officers say it can only mean one thing,
which is that Chilli intends opening the
bal herself The vessels to go are said
TO be the Esmeralda, the Almirante
Cochrane, the Pinto, new unarmored
cruiser. whose sailing rate is nineteen
knots an hour, and the Condell the
famous fast torpedo boat that blew up
the Blanco Encalado.
Admiral Walker Warned.
Admiral Walker, in his flagship, the
Chicago, arrived at Montevideo Janu-
airy II. He was informed of what
might await him and warned to make
ready for it For the first time there
Is real alarm here at the threatened
hanger to Admiral Walker. HIS
squadron is not equipped with tor
pedoes and the Chicago might be
blown up in spite of the utmost Wig
lance. 1t would be a daring and
plucl1y attempt, but so was the sue
eessful attempt on the Blanco Encal-
ado
Capt Evans also informs the de-
partment that he is taking the most
extreme precautions on account Of
what he has been told for the safety of
the Yorktown. He does not intend to
be blown out # the water if he can
help it