The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-21
Warlike Talk Is Less Fierce and :
Pacific View Is Growing in
Favor.
A Pacific Coast Senator Says Pos
itively There Will Be
No War.
Members of the Naval Comm ittees Visit
Secretary Tracy-Ihe Presidents Mes
sage Not Yet Forthcoming.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2O.-,The star of peao
WAS in the ascendency at the capitol to-day.
There is no tangible reason for the waxing
pacific view Of the Chilian situation and
the waning warlike talk which has been in.
dnlged in during the last few days by many
congressman. Nevertheless. there is
widespread conviction that war la not tho
necessary outcome of the present complica-
tions between the United States and Chill.
although there is also u general belief that
the good temper and forbearance Of this
country Is being sorely tried by the exasp-
Grating procrastination of the Chilian gov
ernment in the correspondence. A Pacific
coast senator tersely summed up tho views
of many Of his colleagues to-day, when he
said: "There will be no war. Chill de-
serves a spanking, but the United States
cannot afford to sacrifice her dignity and
play schoolma'an, unless it is absolutely
necessary. and it IL not. Our
government has adopted such quiet,
dignifed tone in its correspondence, ana
has awaited the pleasure Of the Chilians in
the conclusion OF their hair-splitting.
equivocating judicial inquiry with 80 much
patience that the little South American
nation has grown presumptuous, but they
at last have come to realize the fact that
the dignity Of this country ia not to be
trifled with, and when the presidents nlti-
matnm is sent they will come down from
their lofty position and make due repara-
tion.''
Members of the senate naval committee,
who we're at the navy department. yester-
day, assert positively that their visit had
no reference to the possibility of war with
Chill. Secretary Tracy invited them to
call, and when they reached the depart
ment he entered into general
discussion of his conduct Of the
affairs Of the government. Whether the
prospects of war with Chill did or did not
figure in the discussion, one significant fact
| may be recorded, and that is that every
member of the committee who Was present
az the interview with Secretary Tracy ex-
pressed himself to-day as confident OF q
| peaceful solution of the vexatious Gillian
| question.
Chairman Herbert, of the house naval
committee, also called upon Secretary
Tracy, BY invitation, this rnorning. Her.
bert declined to give the result of the con-
senate naval committee, insisted that no
Importance was to be attached to the inter
view, which had reference only to the
needs of the navy. His statement upon
this point is borne out BY the fact that the
subcommittee of the house naval commit
tee will call on Secretary Tracy tomorrow
| to discuss naval prospects.
It is understood Secretary Tracy laid be-
| fore the senate committee statement OF
I the expenditures he has recently incurred
in his preparations for naval demonstra-
tion in southern waters and asked that
when his estimates for appropriations
should be submitted that he receive the
support of the committee. week ago he
ia alleged to have said that these preparR-
tions seemed to be absolutely necessary.
but he now believes there will be no war.
! It ia further understood that the secretary
received the assurances OF the committee
that he will be supported in every proper
| and necessary expenditure involved in his
precautionary movements This express
sion on the part of the secretary, who be-
| lieves that the crisis has passed. is taken
as indication of the receipt of the concil
1atory dispatches from the Chilian
governm 2nt. This is regarded as paving
the way for the ultimate act of reparation
on the part OF Chill. At all events, it is
certain the war-like tone recently mani
tested at the navy department. has been
activity in the navigation bureau i'll the
preparation and translation of cipher dis
| patches. Though the peaceful rumoEs have
u very general effect. manv naval officers
refuse to place entire credence in them.
| alleging that Chlil ls MAKING snow OF re-
ienting in order to gain time for her own
preparations.
very accurate index of the popular SEN
timent is obtained through the letters that
pour in upon Secretary Tracy from all
parts of the country. Whereas, ten days
ago these indicated the development of a
decided war spirit, to-day there seems to
be change in their tone and there is Il
growing disposition to urge the secretary to
a oonciliAtory course.
1t is quite apparent that congress will not
be enlightened on tho Chilian controv ersy
for at least two or three days, for the an
nouncement was made ss the state depart
ment that the correspondence will not be
sent in tomorrow. No date has been fixed
for the transmission of the message and
documents.
| THE YNRkTOWN SAILS