The Forrest City times., 1892-01-01
CHILE IS VERY FOXY.
SHE IS LIKELY TO MAKE A DE-
 MAND FOR ARBITRATION.
Ministsr Meatt's Cable te He Govern nent Announces War Prepsratioss
 Moro Trouble for Chlis.

The war-threatened little South Amer ican Republic is thinking over bright maneuver. It Is one that will disap- point the fire-eaters and give The young republic the distinction of having out witted its big sister by [ clever thought.
 Chile, feeling that she is in the right, is determined not to apologize, even at the cannon's mouth. Such is the sit uation upon the diplomatic chess board It is Chile's turn to move. There is just one square to which she can go to save her King. And that square is marked arbitration" Chile may oc- cupy this square and checkmate war inclined Uncle Sam. A demand on the part of Chile for arbitration instead of m offer of apology and reparation would materially change the aspect of affairs.
 Chile has not yet asked for arbitra tion, but it is known here that 1t is likely to do so. If arbitration of the differences of the two countries is asked for. the Chilean advisers argue shrewdly that the United States Con gress will never allow war to be de- clared because Chile has refused to com ply with the demand of President liar rison for an apology and indemnity for the Baltimore affair.
 The Chilcans who live in this country and who understand the American peo- pie and the present situation have been advising President Montt and prom inent residents of Chile to block Prcsi- dent Harrison's war game by respect fully requesting the United States to join with them m laying the whole matter before some commercially and politically disintcrestcd country.
 If anything was needed to prove the reliability of the announcements of the war preparations as they were made from time to time 1t has developed in the action of Minister Montt, tho Chil- can representative hcrc. Mir. Montt has all along seriously doubted the in tcntion of this government to declare war in the event of Chilc's refusal to accede to our demands He has refused to believe thas preparations for war were being made. Yesterday, however, he realized his mistake, and the result was that he cablcd to President Montt that the situation here was very scri- ous, that this government meant fight, and that the navy was rapidly being placed on war footing.
 There is one chance that may prevent the demand of Chile for arbitration. The demand of the United States Gov ernment is now simply for indemnity and apology.
 It is reported that this demand is to be increased, and if the crisis comes it is to be urged upon Congress that the honor of the country demands that. it shall be granted by Chile. It is nothing more nor less than demand for the safe conduct of the fourteen political refugees now being given an asylum at the American Legation in Santiago by Minister Egan. The Chileans say that this demand is preposterous. They hold that these men are criminals, and that the right of asylum does not ex- tend to such persons under existing circumstances.
 They recognize the right of Minister Egan to shelter the refugees during the heat of war and at time of greater cx- citement. They hold that he should now deliver them up to be tried by the courts of the country. They say that a demand that the American govern ment shall now be allowed to take these offenders against their laws out os their country is aDsurd and unheard