The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-21

WASHINGTON, Jan. 90. Especial l.
There was decided diminution in the
war talk around the Navy Department
this morning and a more peaceful feel
ing prevailed. Secretary Tracy had
comparatively quiet morning, though
ne found plenty to occupy him.
lie had conference with Senators
Cameron and Mcpherson, of the Senate
naval committee, and it is understood
tnat the Secretary laid before them a
statement OF the expenditures he has
recently incurred in his preparations
ror. naval demonstrations in Southern
waters, and asked that when his esti-
mates for appropriation should be SUBJ
mltted be receive the support of the
committee. A week ago he is altered
TO haveAaid that these appropriations
seemed to be absolutely necessary, but
now he believes that there will
De no war. 1t is further under
stood that the Secretary received
the assurances of the committee that
ne would be supported in every proper
ana necessary expenditure involved in
MS precautionary movements.
This expression on the part of the
Secretary Of the belief that the crisis
had been passed is taken as an indica
ton that the conciliatory dispatches
from the CHILEAN government referred
TO In yesterdays Associated Press re.
port OF the Cabinet meeting, are re.
ported as paving tho way for an ulti-
mate act of reparation on the part of
chill. At all events it is certain that
the warlike tone recently manifested ut
the Navy Department has been con.
siderably modified. No steps have bee n
taken, however, to undo all that has
been so hurriedly done during the past
two weeks to put this country on a fight.
ing basis.
Secretary Blaine was sufficiently re.
covered this morning from his slight at
tack OF illness in the cobinet meeting
yesterday to do considerable work on
State Department matters and receive
several callers, among whom were Vice
President Morton ana Secretary Elkins.
Ono of the officers of the department
said that the Secretary was "as clipper
as lark" and that the fine weather
Of to-day has aided him wonderfully in
his recovery.
Commodore Ramsey, chief of the
bureau of navigation, said this morning
that it was not true, as reported by GER
tain irresponsible persons Yesterday,
that Rear Admirals Gherardi and
Walker have been ordered to Valparaiso,
and that the first named has been or
dered to assume command of the Ameri-
can fleet in the South Pacific.
There is no less activity in the navi-
CATION bureau in the preparation and
translation of cypher dispatches, and it
IS evident that the Department is spend
ing quite as much money as ever in the
transmission of intelligence over the
wires. Though the peaceful rumors
have very general effect many naval
officers refuse to place entire credence
in them, alleging that Chilli is merely
making show of relenting in order to
gain time for her own preparations.
The departure of an armed fleet of
vessels from Valparaiso is being quoted
to show that Chilli, though she knows
that she is in no danger of attack If she
does what the United States has asked,
is making efforts to place herself on a
war basis by protecting her most impor-
tant supply station, in the Straits of
Magellan.
very accurate index of popular SON
timent is obtained through letters that
pour in upon Secretary Tracy from all
parts of the country. Ten days ago
these letters indicated the DEVELOPMENT
seems to have been change in their
tone, and there is growing disposition
to urge tho Secretary to a conciliatory
course.
Its quite apparent that Congress will
lot be enlightened on the Gillian con-
troversy for at least two or three days,
Tor the announcement is made at the
State Department that the correspond
ence will not be sent in tomorrow. No
date has been fixed for the submission
OF the message and documents.
The star of peace was in tho ascend
ancy at the capital to-day. There was
no tangible reason for the waxing of
the pacific view of the CHILEAN situation
and the waning Of tho warlike talk
which has boon INDUCED in during tho
last few days by many Congressman.
Nevertheless there was a wide spread
conviction that war is not the necessary
outcome of the present complications
between the United States and Chilli,
although there Is general belief that
the good temper and forbearance of this
country is being sorely tried by the OK
asperating procrastination of the Gillian
government in correspondence.
Pacific Coast Senator terseIy
summed up the vi,ws of many OF his
colleagues to-day when he said: There
will be no war. Chilli deserves spank
ing but the United States cannot af-
ford to sacrifice her dignity to play
schoolmarm unless it is absolutely
necessary, and it is not. Our Govern
ment has adopted such quiet digniied
tone in it's correspondence, and has
awaited the pleasure of the Chilians in
conclusion of their hairs litting equivo-
eating judicial inquiry with So much
patience, that the little South Ameri.
can nation has grown presumptious.
But they have at last come to realize