, 1892-01-16
WAR IS COMING.
chilli SENDS VESSELS TO THE
STRAITS OF MAGELLAN.
A Talk with Blaine Today at the
Department. of state. Imports
ance Or the Nicaraugna Canal
Navy Yard Communication.

WASHINGTON, Jam 16. Pursuant to an
old-establ ished custom, five members OF
the house committee on foreign affairs
called at the department Of state and paid
their respects to Secretary Blaine today It
was expected the secretary would touch
upon the strained relations between this
country and Chill, but no direct allusion
to the matter was made. He did call the
attention Of the committee to the neces-
sity for speedy action BY congress upon the
Nicaraugua. canal project, and very fuently
he described the political Importance Of the
canal and the advantages to accrue from
the retention Of its management and con-
troll III American hands. Incidentally il
was made clear to the committee that the
possession of such a waterway between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans would be of
enorm GUS strategic advantage if it should
be necessary to transfer our naval vessels
from one side of the country to the other.
1t cannot be learned that any communica !
tions have passed this morning between
the state department and Minister Egan
nor was the Chilian minister at the depart
ment. Several senators and representatives
called upon Secretary Blaine in the fore
noon One Of the former said he heard
nothing directly from the secretary
relating to Chilian affairs, but he knew
this country should now assert its dignity
and spank the bumptiOus little South
American republic. 1t is reported that
preparations are being made by the Chill
ian government for war, and though lack
ing in official confirmation in all details.
yet It IS viewed with deep concern at the
navy department. There is reported dis
patching OF fleet Of three cruisers and tor
pedo boats from Valparaiso under sealed
orders. This report came from Chill
through private sources yesterday. 1t is
thought to be for the purpose of guarding
the Strait of Magellan, which is regarded
to certain extent as the gateway to Chill.
A comparatively small number of we'll
armed vessels adyantageously placed in the
strait could, in the opinion Of naval ex-
perts, hold that important pas
sage against large fleet TO be
sure this would not necessarily pre-
vent the ultimate rounding Of Cape Horn
| by the American squadron bound for Chill
as two days steaming almost would carry
the ships into the Pacific by the outside
route. The theory is, however, that it is
the desire of the Chilian government to af-
ford ample protection to its important
coal supply station at Port Cabello in the
straits The capture Of this station would
be severe blow to Chill and might be
made the objective campaign in southern
waters in case Of hostilities. Secretary
Tracy was iii his Office all the morning to
see mem bers Of congress and other callers
/ The navy department. was in constant tele-
graphic communication with the navy
yards and naval stations in all parts Of the
country for several hours last night.
READY FOR WAR.
There are now completed at the Wash
ington gun foundry twenty six inch rifles
and sixteen eight and ten inch calibers,
making the present stock 36 guns of mod
ern pattern, that are practically available
for immediate use. 1t usually takes about
fifty days, eight hours each, to make six
inch gun. But when the twenty-four hour
system is put into operation the period
can be cut down to about seventeen days.
twelve inch gun recently completed at
the navy yard for the Monterey, cost $46,-
600. According to final reports received at
the navy department the labor on it cost
bnt $4,000. The gun weighed 100000
pounds, and thus cost about 40 cents a
pound, or nearly half the average cost of
guns Of the same size abroad This is re-
garded as an excellent showing for Tie
foundry. 1t is dened at the navy depart
ment that any order has been issued to ex-
clude visitors from the Washington navy