The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-18
WAR MAY BE DECLARED.
EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON THE TONE
OF TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Ono Representative Says that Congress
will Declare War Aner Hearing the
Correspondence Read without Any sug.
gestion from the Presldent-ChilYs OF.
fensive Note Has Not Been with drawn.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE programme and
work OF Congress this week will depend almost
entirely on whether the President sends in the
Gillian correspondence II the correspondence
Is sent In. and this is probable. within twenty
four hours after its receipt Congress- may de-
clare war. Nearly everything depends on the
tone OF tho Presidents letter OF tran smittoI in
which 1t is presumed he will embody some rec-
concentrations. Such Is the feeling among
members OF Congress that 1t is reasonable to
suppose that suggestions made by the Presl-
dent Will be promptly endorsed. The corre-
spondence would, In its line Of ordinary pro-
cedure. go to the Committee on Foreign Rela.
lions OF tho Senate and the Committee on For
eign Affairs Of the House. but tho situation
has. 1t Is thought by many. assumed such a
grave aspect that both Houses will probably
take UP the correspondence. IL 1t Is sent in
and give 1t immediate consideration.
Tho correspondence itself Is said to be OF
such a nature that it will servo TO fan tho war
like flame. member OF Congress who has
assisted tho President in preparing some OF It
would declare war without delay. upon hear
Inc tho correspondence read. without even
suggestion from the President.
AS WAS stated in these dispatches q few days
ago. tho offensive note OF Senior Malta. Minis
ter Of Foreign Affairs in tho provisional Gov
eminent Of Chilli. despite the report to the
contrary. had not then boon withdrawn
or disavowed. A day or two ago. how
evcr. Senior Pedro Mont. tho Chilian Minis
ter. was instructed by his home Government
to withdraw 1t. but it is understood that tho
offer OF withdrawal was accompanied by con-
ditions or explanations by tho Chiian Govern
ment which were unsatisfactory to the United
States. Minister Egun. it is understood. was
directed to communicate with Senior Pereira,
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. the dissatisfaction
OF this Government with tho terms OF the with
drawa'. but his interview with that official is
said to have resulted in no modification OF
the instructions to Senior Mont which would
render them acceptable to the United States.
No confirmation can be had Of the report that
Minister Egan has communicated to President
Harrison an intimation that the Chilian Gov
eminent Is on the verge of dissolution. and
that this fact prevented tho President from
sending tho Gillian correspondence to Con-
gress last week. 1t is most improbable al
though the belief that change OF administra-
ton in Chilli is matter Of short time only is
held by some ell-informed persons In Wash
ington. But Mr. Egan does not communicate
with President Harrison: his dispatches are
to the Secretary OF State. and such a despatch
as that Indicated has not been received at the
department. at least the officials deny all
knowledge OF 1t. 1t Is expected that orders
will be sent. II they have not already gone. to
Capt. Evans OF the Yorktown to carry the refu-
gees placed aboard the ship BY Minister Egan
to some convenient port In Peru. but the exact
destination will probably 10 left to the dis
erection OF tho Yorktowns commander.
The Navy Department on Saturday ordered
another shipment OF 10000 pounds Of gun
cotton from New York to tho Mare Island Navy
Yard. The explosive was hacked in copper
casks containing 200 pounds each. and in
structions were given to expedite the ship
ment in every way possible.
The following despatch was received by the
Secretary Of the Navy to-day:
VALPARAISO, Chill, Jan. 49, 1892.
Secretary cf,hs Nary. Washington. D. C.
The American Minister informs me that tho Gillian
Minister of Foreign Affairs has changed his mind about
refugees on tho Yorktown. and that they may be
taken out OF any merchant vessel touching at Gillian
port by local authority.
Arrangements had been made for all OF them to sail
to-day but this change OF tho part tho Chill
ian Minister of Foreign Affairs compels mo to keep
them. which crowds mo very much. Shall land the
at Caao Peru. or Mo!endo. Peru: No steamers from
here go direct to neutral territory.
This unexpected act Of tho Gillian Minister OF For.
eign Affairs is due no states in part my saluting tho
Spanish Minister when he aboard to deliver two
refugees l have requested the American Minister to
say to tho Minister of Foreign Affair that respon
sib!e to my own Government and not to that OF Chill
In such matters. and that consider his criticism
sive. and will not accept II. His action eeems un
worthy Of the representative OF serious government