Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-01-01
That is What This Government Will
Probably Soon Give the Re-
public Of Chile.
1t is Believed the President and
Navy Department Have Agreed
Upon a Policy.
Preparations For War Going on Rap
idly and Contractors Urged to
Rush Their Work.
Et coming More Serious.

IL is understood here tO-rlght that the
president has about decided to call the
turn on Chile. In other words, an ulti-
matum is soon to be submitted. Chile, it
is said, will be informed Immediately af-
ter the inaugural ceremonies, which oc-
CURED to-day, that if a. satisfactory reply
to the demands of the United States is
not made within a certain number of
days, a special message, anticipatory of a
declaration of war, Will be submitted to
congress. The time will be made pretty
short, too, HIS it is the desire to bring the
matter 10 the attention of congress i'm
mediately after the holidays. In utiliz-
ing the holiday recess period for bring
ing affairs to a crisis, a great deal of
time will be saved and opportunity
afforded for a further concentration of
forces in the direction of Chile, pending
the decree of congress-.
President Harrison and Secretary
Tracy have had a long consultation on
these subjects. Their conclusions are
carefully guarded from the public, but it
is generally believed at the navy depart
ment that some definite policy was
agreed upon rs to the disposition of the
vessels already at or heading toward
Chile and those available for service in
those waters pending the action of con-
gress. What the program is, subsequent
developments must determine, for pro-
spective movements of ships is a matter
which, for obvious reasons, must be kept
from the public.
ACTIVE PREPARATION FOR WAR.
There is no cessation of the active
preparations for war. The shipment of
ammunition to San Francisco, the re-
quest made to-day for bills for a large
amount of ammunition for rapid-fire
guns, and orders to expedite the COM
pletion of the Newark are further evil
dences of this fact. Close attention is
still given to the matter of securing ves-
sells from the merchant marine. Plans
for converting them into available cruis.
ers and torpedo boats are being dis
cussed, and other prcliminaries arranged
So as to have them available as soon as
wanted.
Until the present time no steps have
been taken 10 expedite the work on the
new vessels now building, but for some
weeks past the department has seriously
considered the ACCESSIBILITY Of authoriz-
lug the builders to work day and night
on several of those furthest advanced.
The only reason that they have not done
so is because public attention would at
once be attracted to such a move, and
the policy up to this time has been to
conduct all the warlike preparations as
quietly and secretly as possible. The
aspect of the situation, however, has be-
come 20 serious that further delay in this
direction is inadvisable.
S%hipGuilders may look for orders any
day now directing them to put extra
forces to work, and to increase their
facilities as far rs possible to expedite
work on the vessels they have on hand.
NAVAL OFFICERS EXPECT TO FIGHT.
= \ few days ago nearly all the officials
III these two departments believed that
nothing short of a naval demonstration
would bring Chile to terms. To-day
there are not a few who go so far as to
say that actual war is inevitable. One
prominent officer, in a position to know
the exact situation, gravely remarked
that there was absolutely no hope now
for an amicable settlement. Heretofore
this officer had firmly adhered to the be-.
lief that there would be a satisfactory
adjustment through diplomatic channels.
he said to-day that he was forced to his
present conclusion by the increasing
ugly temper of the Chilean authorities
and the purpose of President Harrison,
well known to him, to adhere firmly to
the stand taken in his first message to
Chile. Tn: Sc are the views of nearly all
the officials, but coming from AZ official
who was heretofore of an opposite opin-
ion, they are of especial significance.
A private letter received by a con-
gresham in this city to-day from Admi
raj Brown emphasizes this belief. Ad-
miral Brown writes that he is fully con-
WINGED that Chile will never be brought
to terms until thoroughly whipped, and
he is aching to take a hand in doing it.
The conceit of the ChlleaDs, he tells his
congressional friend, is something ap-
palling. No argument will convince
them that they cannot successfully com
bat the United States. He also sa,
something about their deceit. Before
leaving Valparaiso, he says, all the Off
Gals were extremely courteous and pro.
fessed the greatest friendship for him.
He had hardly turned his back upon
them before those most pronounced in
their ~pretensions of good will and respect
] began to scandalize him in the most ont: