Morning journal and courier., 1892-01-20
THE GILLIAN WAR SCARE.

Gunboats-Ntne Vessels to Sail for
Valparaiso - Information From
Commander Evans The Presi-
dents Message Not TO be Sent to
Congress To-day-Activity at San
Francisco.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-It has been as
certained that Commodore Folger, the
chief of the bureau of ordnance, has made
a request to Secretary Tracy that, in case
of war, he may be relieved of his present
important duty and placed in command of
the coast defence vessel Monterey now
awaiting completion at San Francisco. 1t
is understood that he regards this as the
most formidable in our navy, and that he
considers it superior in fighting qualities
to any ship owned by the Chilians, includ
ing the celebrated Captain Prat, now
building in France for the Gillian gov
eminent.
Admiral Gherardi has been designated
to command the vessels on the Pacific sta
ton. At present Admiral Gherardi, with
his squadron, is at Port au Prince, West
Indies. The vessels in his squadron con-
sist of the Philadelphia, Concord and
Kearsarge. Admiral Walkers squadron is
at Montsvideo. The Chicago, Atlanta and
Bennington comprise the vessels under his
command. Admiral Walker was advised
| to-day of the orders issued to Admiral
Gherardi, and it was left to his discretion
whether he should proceed at once to VAL
| psraiso or delay his departure until fu--
Their advices from the navy department..
WILL LEAVE FOR THE SOUTH ATLANTIC.
Admiral Cherardi's squadron will leave
| LOT fnr fhn
at Bahia, Brazil, for advices from the navy
department This combined squadron
| will meet at Valparaiso the Yorktown,
Boston and Charleston, making q feet of
| nine vessels, three of which are the most
powerful in the United States navy. The
Chicago carries fourteen breech loading
rifles, the Boston eight, the Atlanta eight,
the Philadelphia twelve, the Bennington
six, the Kearsarge fourteen, the Concord
six and the Charleston eight, making in
all sevsnty-six frst-class guns, besides the
| secondary batteries.
The average number of men in each yes |
sci, including officers, marines and sailors
is about 100, making in all about 1,5U0 |
men that will soon be on the Pacific sta |
ton in command of Admiral Gherardi.
ADvIcEs FROM EVANS.
Commander Evans of the Yorktown, at |
Valparaiso, to-day informed the navy de- |
partment that the CHILEAN steamer Esmer-
aida left Valparaiso early this morning to
90 to the assistance of the British steamer |
John Elder, reported ashore 100 miles |
south of Valparaiso. Commander Evans |
dispatch made no allusion to the York |
towns having heen fired on, and this is |
taken as a refutation of last nights rumor /
to that effect. 1t is learned to-day from a
reliable source that the Balmaceda refu-
gees are still on the Yorktown, and con-
sequently are not in danger of falling into
the hands of the Chilians on account of |
the wreck.
The Philadelphia, the flagship of Ad-
miral Gherardi's squadron in the north |
Atlantic, has sailed south from the Barbs
does, presumably for Montevideo. This
indicates a general naval movement of i'm
portance, as the station lines of the naval
system are regarded as absolute, except in
cases of emergency.
There is considerable speculation as to
who would be placed in command of the
naval force on the Pacific in case of war,
but the general opinion centers upon Rear
Admiral Kimberly, who is at the head of
the active list. He is now here on shore
duty.
PROMINENT CHILEAN INTERVIEWED.
An Associated Press reporter had talk
to-day with Gillian gentleman who
stands high in the estimation of the
CHILEAN government with regard to the
recent act of the minister of foreign affairs
in informing Minister Egan that the
refugees now on the Yorktown would be
liable to seizure if the vessel which
they were to leave Chilli for Europe touched
at any of the ports of that country. The
gentleman said the ministers and refugees
had travelled "in concealment" from
Santiago to Valparaiso, and although
the government was fully aware of
what was going on it was officially ignor-
ant of the circumstances. But after it had
been informed officially that they were
aboard the Yorktown and intended to sail
for Europe on a steamer touching at
Gillian port, the government was COM
PEELED to take cognizance of the fact. 1t
was in order to avert threatened seizure
that the minister of foreign affairs in
formed the American minister what might
be expected to happen.
FEELING OF HOUSE MEMBERS.
The feeling expressed by the members
of the house to-day was nearly all on the
side of disbelief in war as the probable
outcome of the trouble with Chill. A
difference of opinion was manifest as to
whether or not the United States ought to
accept the mediation of any third party
without an expression from Chilli of regret
at the lawless acts of her citizens and dis
avowal of official connection or sympathy |
with them.
While the talk was favorable to peace
many democratic members said that if
fighting did come they were in favor of
pushing the war vigorously and relent-
lessly.
THE MESSAGE DELAYED.
1t is learned officially tonight that the
presidents message on the Gillian affair
will not be sent to congress tomorrow. |
While official information on this point |
does not extend beyond tomorrow there |
are strong surface indications that the |
president has practically determined to |
postpone final action on this matter until |
next week, and this gives color to the be- |
lief that conciliatory dispatches have al |
ready been received, and that more are ex- |
pected. 1t is known that the president |
would strongly endorse any proposition |
for a settlement of the questions at issue |
on a peaceful basis, consistent with the |
honor and dignity of the nation.
WORK AT MARE ISLAND NAVY YARD.
SAN Francisco, Jan. 19.-Efforts to
prepare the war ships at Mare Island for |
sea were redoubled to-day, and by far the |
largest force of men since the close of the |
war of the rebellion are now working day |
and night. Electric light plants have been |
set up, enabling the men to work in the |
docks at night, and large force of ma |
chinists reported at the yards to-day to |
complete work on the wooden feet as well |
as upon the steel cruisers. The force in |
the steam engineering department was also |
largely increased. The wooden ships |
Adams, Ranger and Nipsic have been |
asked for by the navy department.
yard at any time, having her crew and |
stores on board. The Charleston is ex-