Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-01-17
THE WAR With Chile
Does Not Seem to be Such a Great
Way OF at This Time.
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS
Agree That if the Facts in the Case Show That
We Have Just Grievance, War Should
be Declared and Pushed 10 a Quick
and Successful Close.
psaas Telegram to IL. Sunday Register.

| While many OF the reports sent from
here regarding the immineRce Of war
with Chile are wild aud sensational,
there is no denying that Washington is
settling down TO the conviction that the
situation is now such that war is the
most likely outcome.
This is the feeling, not only among
State Department and Naval people,
but many members Of Congress, Demo
cratic as well as Republican, new take
this view Of it, and among the most ar
dent advocates Of vigorous campaign
against Chile Qf the facts in the case
show that we have just grievance) are
many leading Democrats.
They state that il war comes they
will give the administration most cor
dial and energetic support in prose-
cutting it to a speedy and successful con-
clusion. The fact that the Democrats
I take this position seems to be some
what disappointing to the Republicans,
! who had believed the Democrats would
try TO hamper the administration
| through fear that war would give the
Republicans a party advantage In the
coming Presidential contest.
The Navy Department continues to
rush ali preparations, in order to put the
navy on a war footing. The public gen.
orally has no idea of the extent OF the
preparations made. Already the de-
tails Of the opening campaign have been
mapped out, and within the next tlVe
days matters will be in such shape
that the instant war is declared the en-
tire machinery will be set in motion and
the Chileans will quickly be made to
feel the power of this Government.
Five Of the members of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs called at
the Department OF State just before noon
to-day to pay their respects to Secre-
tary Blaine. This visit was in pursu-
ance OF long established custom
whereby at the beginning OF each Con-
gress the committee which has to do
with foreign relation calls upon the
Secretary OF State.
Usually these visits are purely formal
and particularly is this true when the
majority Of the House is politically op-
posed to the Secretary.
The five members Of the committee
were Chairman Blount and Messrs.
Hooker, Gearp, ODonnell and Harmer,
and according TO their statements Sec
retary Blaine did not make q single al
lusion to our relations with Chile. The
Secretary was fully equipped with facts
and figures to support his reasoning and
very fuently he described the import
ance of the Canal, the volume OF traffic
which would probably pass through 1t
and the advantages TO accrue from re-
| l. q 10 md pnnfFnl
| In American hands.
But Of the Chilean troubles the Secre-
| tary said not a word directly. 1t can
| not be learned that any communications
have passed this morning between the
State Department and Minister Egan,
nor was Senor Montt, the Chilean Min
ister, at the department.
The reported preparations for war by
the Chilean Government, though lack
ing official confirmation in all details as
yet, is viewed with deep concern at the
| Navy Department.
Secretary Tracy was in his Office all
! the morning seeing members OF Congress
and other callers. The Navy Depart
ment was in constant telegraphic COM
munication with the navy yards and
naval stations in all parts OF the coun-
| try for several hours last night.
Members of Congress are awaiting
with considerable interest the publica-
tion OF the Chilean correspondence.
! The members Of the House Foreign AT
| fairs Committee have followed the
matter closely, but generally with little
TO guide them in forming conclusions
except the publications in the news
papers.
There is a belief entertained by some
| members who have watched the devel-
opments with more than ordinary close
ness and interest, that a.peaceful end OF
the trouble will be found, and that
while the situation is grave, war will
not result. II is understood at the
CAPITAL that the position assumed by the
| United States is that an apology must
be made by Chile, and that there will
! then follow the question of indemnity
| to the sailors injured in the attack on
the crew of the Baltimore, and the Kin
| of those killed in that attack.
1t is believed by many representatives
that Chile will acknowledge the wrong
done the United States by making an
apology and that the reason for her de-
| lay in this respect is to be found in the
! disproportion in the strength OF the two
countries. 1t is epected that Chile,
| after asserting the dignity by sutfi-
| cient delay TO show that though an un-
eoual combatant in the event Of war,
She will not be hurriedly forced into
! giving way, will make the amends due
10 the United States. Then will arise
| the question OF indemnity and arbitra-
tion is looked forward to as the prob
able outcome of this part OF the case.
Some fear is entertained that Chile,
in asserting her independence and free
dom from outside pressure, may by
procrastination bring about a state OF
| thinCs which will terminate in rup-
ture OF relations between the two coun-
tries and that hostilities may then
ensue, though this latter is regarded as
unlikely and improbable.
Diligent inquiry at the War Depart
ment fails to disclose any war-like pre-
parations on the part OF the army.
The reported preparations for war by
| the Chilean government, though lack
ing official combinations in all details
| as vet, is viewed with deep concern at
| the NAVY Department. The reported
sbipment OF torpedoes through Monte
video to Chile has had the effect OF
warning. the naval officers that in the
event of war they are to be met by 8
foe armed with the best modern wea-
pons.
70 be discerned, 1t is said, such as the
reported dispatching Of 3 feet OF three
cruisers and torpedo boat from VAL
psrsiso under sealed orders which WAS
reported from Chill through private