The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-27


unlocked Tor. IL was not until tonight that
the TACT OF the reception Of the mes
sage became circulated and the senti-
ment among public men was one of doubt
and uncertainty. They knew not at first
what 70 say on the subject when asked for
opinions on the new phase Of the matter.
The statement Of the contents Of the message
III tOdays telegram is said 10 be practically
correct Conversation with those acquainted
with the text OF the note gives the impression
that It was not satisfactory No
one who was in q position TO know
them would consent 10 discuss the terms
OF the reply The fact. however. that there
Is no reference TO an apology for the assault
upon the BatimOres sailors Is sufficient 10
account Tor the dissatisfaction OF officials with
Its terms. AS TO the Malta note, the Oher "
Chill is believed TO be fully up 10 the demaud
made by the note Of the 2lst instant TO Minis
ter Egan The matter of the latter recall IS be-
lieved TO have been sufficiently settled by the
terms of that note and therefore no refer
ence 10 il in the reply was necessary. As was
stated last night II Chill apologized for the
Baltimore incident the matter OF the amount
of indemnity by way Of reparatlon as 10
whether or not anything should be paid 70
the families Of kIggin and Iurnbull might
very well become the subject OF arbitration
but the apology must come first.
THE ARBITRATION PROPOSITION.
The proposition Of Chill to throw the whole
thing into the Supreme Court tor arbitration
is variously viewed. By some II IS thought
10 be q declaration by Chill of full confidence
in the justice and right of her cause. cOnil-
dence So great and implicit that she is willing
10 make q creature of the other party TO the
controversy s0le Judge OF Its merits. Others.
however think IL is IA common parlance,
blum, and that Chill - not honest or sincere
i'm her professions. IL is reclted that
Chill knows how the jurisdiction and powers
of the Supreme G. urt are restricted and
limited by the Constitution and that she
made the oaer knowing that il could not be
entertained. The argument IS advanced that
the Supreme Court cannot and would not
assume IurlsdldlctOn over such "A matter
One Justice or any number OF them might
act as arbltratOrs, az was done when
i've oil them took part in tho Proceedings
of the electoral commission lSiU-'l 90, as
whole could not take cOgulZance Of the case.
The executive and legislative by terms OF the
Constitution arranged with conducting and
disposing If diplomatic matters. and they
probably would not consent. d they could, 10
turn them over to the judicial branch OF the
Government.
The reply of Chill was the subject of a con-
sultati0n between the President and Secre-
tary Blaine at q late hour this afternoon. as
well as at the meeting OF the Cabinet at noon.
The views of the United states Government
upon the reply will probably not be cOmmu-
-
the meantime the text of the message
If Minister Egan, It is expected. will
be sent % the Committee on Foreign Affairs
in the two houses of Congress for their infOr-
nation, and 10 aid them IN the consideration
of the Presidents message and accompanying
documents transmitted yesterday. Further
inquiry tonight strengthens the impress
sion that the reply OF Chill Is not
satisfactory TO the members OF the
United States Government. Although the
answer proposes. II Is uni f.erstOod. 10 withdraw
the Malta note. the tenor of the offer j. not
agreeable. And the proposition said 10 be
contained in the reply 10 arDltfate the Balti-
more % air IS taken 70 mean the whole ques
tion, whether or not Chill shall ap logic as
we'll as pay the indemnity. OF course that
will not be entertained. The United States
must be the Judge of the proprety OF de-
manding an apology that cannot be arbl-
trated.
VIEWS on THE SITUATION
The presence of so many congressman at
the White House tonight IN attendance AZ
the reception given by the President and
Mrs. Harrison IN their honor made 1t ex-
tremely difficult TO obtain their views on
Chlll's proposition contained lu the dispatch
from Santiago. A number Of those
who were seen declined TO express
an opinion on the subject. pleading
that they had no opportunity 10 give tho
the new phase OF the case the serious cOnsid-
GRAFTON that they held IL deserved. Senator
Carey. of Wyoming SAID IN reference 10 the
proposition by Chll To submit the matter 10
arbitration that he thought there was moth
ing TO arbIrrate. The President has done the
right thing" lie SAID he has issued his
ultmatum and he should be sustained.
There Is u greater question than the mere in
demnity to the BalumOre's sailors or their
connections at stake IN this controversy
and do not see how arbitration has settled
the matter Chill should act as the nlted
States did in a similar case / refer 10 the
Chinese massacre at Rock Springs, Wyo..
which terminated in this cOuntrys paying III
demnity on account of the Chinese subjects
killed.
Senator Frye said he did not consider the
dispatch from Santiago this morning Us one
of a full and satisfactory measure OF
apology. The question OF repgratlOn
could be settled by arbitration, but
an apology was not subject 10 such process.
While no entertained a very decided opinion
upon the question himself lie WAS not In a
position 10 express 1t, and declined 10 say
what the action OF the Committee on Foreign
Relations would be, although they had the
matter under consideration to-day. lie did
not consider the reason given or he with
drawal Of the Malta letter at all satisfactory,
and intImated that Chill would have 10 take
an entirely different stand before the sltua-
ton would be acceptable 10 the United
states.
senator Frye, in an earnest manner. indi-
Gated his entire dIsapprOoaton oI the phase
OF the situation as expressed III the Santiago
dispatch Oi this morning.
Congressman Dingley Of Maine, was OF the
same opinion as Senator Frye On the absence
Oiiicial Information concerning the !
santiago dispatch was unwilling 10 PREJUDICE |
the case tonight. but he went SO lar as TO say
that he would not be satisfied with tho terms
suggested by Chill AS q peaceful settlement |
OF the question. lie expected official inIOr- |
nation. and when this came he would then |
freely expressed ms opinion
Congressman McCreary preferred 10 await |
adylces from tue Mmte House before giving |
any opinion, but he intimated that the sug- |
pestions made by Chill IN the cable dispatch |
to-day were tar from satisfactory. The For |
eipn Affairs COmmlttee were awaiting Tor fur |
ther information before taking definite ae- |
ton. They could not with the facts now be- |
fore them properly consider the case. Subse-
aueutly information from Chill might put an |
entirely different phase on the question.
Judge Holman was not ready tonight to |
give his opinion further than 10 say that
Congress was not in possession OF ALI the |
facts and it would De folly to express any |
opinion on the subject. lie was unwilling, |
however to accept the terms named in the |
Santiago cablegram.
30 DANGER or WAR.