The Portland daily press., 1892-01-25
Meanwhile Ships Are Being Chartered
and Powder Mills Rushed.
SANTIAGO SENDS NEWS OF A RE-
PLY TO THE ULTIMATUM.

Militia officers Discussing How an Army
Could Be Raised-Crack Ships of the
Inman Line Might Be Pressed Into
service-Powder Mills and Gun Facto-
ries Told to Hurry-Efforts to Finish
After All, We Might Sever Diplomatic
Relations, and Still Not Fight.
Especial to the Press.]
WASHINGTON, January 24.-Will it be
war OF peace? Tomorrow will probably
decide that momentous question. Not a
word has been received from Minister
Egan in answer to the despatch which
was sent to him last Friday, and which
required from the Chilian government
direct and specific reply. Nothing has
come from Minister Montt in this city
which would justify the President in be-
lieving that Chill is sincerely desirous of
maintaining peaceful relations with this
country. In fact, the President is so
fully impressed with the belief that
Chill is not anxious for peace that he
spent nearly all of today in revising his
message, in the full expectation of send
ing that important documentto Congress
tomorrow.
The President did not go to Church
today and his absence from his familiar
seat in the Church of the Covenant was
at once noticed and gave rise to deal OF
speculation. When later in the day, it
became known that Secretary Tracy and
Attorney General Miller had spent sever
al hours with him, the rumor at once
became currant that important news had
been received and that meeting of the
Cabinet had been called to discuss it,
There was, however, no meeting OF the
Cabinet but, as stated, the President put
the final touches on his message and he
wasaided in the work of revision by the
Attorney General and Secretary Tracy,
the two who have been closer to him
during all the negotiations than any one
else The President has been
Hoping Against Hope all Day.
He has cherished the belief that, at
the last moment, Chill would make some
kind of a grudging apology, something
which would justify him in holding back
the correspondence for a few days and
which would meanwhile enable him to
reach a settlement. But not word has
vet been uttered which indicates that
this hope will be realized. Now the
President feels that it would be paltering
4Io RI Nv Of moi n
grant anv more time. He will redeem
his promise by sending the correspon-
dence to Congress and allowing that
body to act. What Congress
will do cannot be predicted to-
night. The majority of the
Democratic Members are Opposed to War
because they believe it would result in
the President denomination and re-elec-
ton. They make no concealment of the
fact that they are opposed to war, only
they base their objection on the broad
grounds of humanity and the frightful
loss of life and the expense which it.
would entail If war is declared, it
would not be done off hand. The Presi-
dents message and all the correspon-
dence will first be referred to the COM
mittee on foreign affairs Of both houses
and discussed by them and, it is believed
without undue haste and then referred
back to Congress, where, in the House at
any time, they would give rise to con-
siderable discussion. Friends of the
administration in the House say that if
the Presidents message is as vigorous as
they anticipate, there will be no question
as to the action of Congress. They say the
President will undoubtedly be given the
most ample authority to send an ultima
tum to Chill and unless that country
promptly complies with every demand,
war will at once follow.