Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-21

get the Monterey ready as early us
possible. If there is collision in Chill,
much will be expected from her, as she
is superior TO the Miantonomah, not only
in battery power, but in speed as well.
Then there is the matter of supplying
the fleet with coal and all kinds OF
provisions. For this work large
number of merchant steamers must be
and time will be required for
this.
The destination Of the Chilian fleet,
which Commander Evans reported to be
under sealed orders to sail from Val
paraiso on Wednesday, is still a mystery
at the navy department. II is possible
that the intention may be to threaten
San Francisco, but this is not thought
very probable. 1t is much more likely
that the vessels will go south to the
Straits Of Magellan. If they should go
up to San Francisco, however, they
would find that port much better pro.
tectcd than it is generally supposed to
be. The army has not been idle, and in
addition to the guns in the forts, the
channels arc well planted with torpedoes
and submarine mines.
The war department has thus far con-
fined its war preparations to pushing
forward the works of defence at San
Francisco. There will be no immediate
work for the army in the field and no
steps have yet been taken to prepare for
military campaign. The work of the
army in the war will be principally to
occupy and hold the points captured by
the navy Troops will not be required
for this service until some time after the
naval operations have commenced, and
it has not been necessary, therefore, to do
more than prepare in general way the
plans for equipping and modifying the
force.
1t is estimated that at least $4,000
men will be needed, and possibly rs
many as $4,000. There has been some
talk of sending 100000 men, but officials
OF the war and navy departments, who
have been in consultation on the sub
ject, do not think more than $4,000, at
the most, will be required. AS most Of
the lighting must necessarily be done
by the navy, there is no necessity for
taking so large an army as would be
necessary if there was to be more fight.
ing on shore.
Secretary Tracy this afternoon sent o
cable message to Commander Evans of
the Yorktown at Valparaiso, instructing
him to take the Balmaceda refugees now
under his protection to Calao and land
them there, but to use his discretion as
to the time of his departure. The Secre-
tary said this afternoon that no orders
have been sent to the Boston, Mt Callao
contemplating any change in her sta.
ton. The departure of the Yorktown
from Valparaiso would leave the United
States without a single naval vessel in
CHILEAN waters. The Yorktown could
hardly make the trip from Valparaiso tc
Callao and return in less than a weeks
time. The distance between the tive
| ports is about 1900 miles, AS Captain
| Evans is vested with full discretion il
the matter, it is not regarded as at all
likely that he will leave Valparaiso
Immediately.
LONDON, Jan. 19.-The Pacific Steam
Navigation Company's mali steamer
John Elder, from Valparaiso for Liver
| pool, has been wrecked on Caranzf
rock in the Straits Of Magellan. All thu
| passengers and crew OF the steame
were saved, but the vessel herself, it il
expected, will be total loss.
A dispatch to the Times from Santiago
de Chill says that the news of the wrecl
of the John Elder is causing much ex
element in that city, owing to the fac
that it is generally believed that it wa
by this steamer that number of tn
refugees who had sought safety at tn,
American legation had left the country
1t is reported that passage was secured
for them under false names and that TIL
government is highly elated at the pros
pect of their now falling into its hands
The passengers are proceeding to Con
cuplcion, a Gillian port, 270miles south
west of Santiago de Chill. The loca
authorities at that place have received
orders to arrest all the refugees who ar
found among the shipwrecked people
All the mails on board the steamer hay
been lost.
SAN Diego, CAL, Jan. 19.-Privat
advices from authentic sources in Chi
state that among the common people d
that country the talk is that war vii
result The Ghlians have no idea tina
their government will back down or re
tract any word or act; they conside
themselves strong and expect additions
strength from England. They agre
that the United States is able TO viii
their vessels of the face of the oceai
but they doubt not their ability to secuI
recognition and aid from England or /
secure some of England's warships b
purchase. If the informant is correc
representatives Of the CHILEAN govern
ment are now in England working o
both propositions.
According to orders received to-da,
the cruiser Charleston will sail on Tue
day or Wednesday for San Francsc,
She is simply waiting for the new pa,
/ master and surgeon. Dr. j. ID. Park,
. arrived last evening from Phiadelph
and reported to Admiral Brown. Il
will go with the Charleston. The pm
+, master was expected last night, but III
notarrive, but will be here to-day. II
Charleston will then proceed at once
i Mare Island.
4 A MORE PACIFIC VIEW.
4 WAsuINGToS, Jan. 19.-The cabin
G meeting to-day was devoted almo
entirely TO the consideration Of Il
i Chill question. The proceedings we
h only temporarily interrupted by Il
d slight illness of Secretary Blaine.
S There is reason to believe that IL
y government has received dispatch
Il through tile Chilian minister looking
il peaceful and satisfactory solution
5 the question in dispute, and that Nj,
{. were submitted 10 the cabinet to-day
II Ihis will have most important bea
= ing on tho question Of submitting Il
4 ~