The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-01-19
THE WAR CLOUD.
Waiting Anxiously for the Presi-
dents Chilean Message.
''PArR1or1sM, NOT POLITICS"


Congressman When Called to Vote
Upon the Grave Questions at Is
sue-Mr. o'Neill Says the War
Talk Is Folly.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. - The SEEM
ingly puerile action of the Chilean min
lister of foreign affairs in connection
with the refugees on board the York
town, and the spirited reply of Com
mander Evans Of that vessel, was the
subject of much comment among mem
bers of congress today, and many re-
marks made in the sanctity of cloak
room or committee room might be con-
sidered significant by the Chilean gov
ernment as falling from the lips of Amer
ican representatives in congress. While
1t cannot be said with absolute truth
that there is radical war spirit prevail
ing among congressman, it is certain
that many Of them (and this includes
number of members usually conserva-
tive in their views and actions) will not
hesitate to vote for war if the situation
does not improve. There is unanimous
feeling in favor of doing what is best to
Haintain the dignity of the United
States, but members differ as to how
that result should be accomplished,
some being In favor of war at once,
while others think patience and arbi-
tration Is the better policy.
''Patriotism Not Politics."
From interviews by representative
OF the United Press with prominent
congressman it is obvious that no parti-
eanship will enter into the controversy
tf the matter is brought forward in the
house. patriotism, not politics" will
be the motto of every man on the floor,
whether he be in favor of war or against
It, Interest is gaining, for tomorrow is
the day the correspondence in the Chill
can imbroglio is expected at the Capitol.
I'VE may make history ON that day."
said member of the house, and the sig
nifcance of his remark is understood
and felt by number Of other members
who consider the situation one of ex-
treme gravity, and are little anxious
rs to the result, particularly when they
consider what the effect may be if they
vote on the wrong side on any radical
question that may be presented.
Scouts the War Cry.
"There is not going to be any war;
remarked Representative O'Neill, of
MISSOURI, to a correspondent. 1T is
folly to talk of it. Some way will be
found to escape it if we try. All the
chatter about the anti-American feeling
m Chile is absurd, if we take the people
rs q whole. The educated and intelli-
gent people of Chile are friendly to this
cprnhSeNnd opposed to war. 1t is
only the dwellers in the slums who want
70 fight us. We might just as well ex-
pect to have war made upon our country
by some other great power because of
the acts of mob in the streets of New
York city. We can well afford to be
patient and forbearing with nation
only one-twentieth our size"
"How will the Democrats in the
house vote on the question:
Not a Party Question.
''If it is settled that we must have
war;" answered Mr.. O'Neill, "of course
there is nothing to do but vote supplies
and play the hand out. But let us hope
that we shall not be called upon to do
that. The glib way i'll which people
talk about war indicates that few un-
derstand what it involves. Look about
Washington ut the MANNED and broken
down men who are in this city alone,
the wrecks which war has made, and
you begin to realize a little what the
word means. There is something at
tractive in the idea of small war,
suppose, to people who want chance
TO test our big guns and our new ships,
such an opportunity as England sought
when the Arabic Pasha revolt occurred
In Egypt. But il seems to me too SER
ious question to be treated in that
hippant way"
A startling Rumor.
A rulnor was in circulation here last
night that the United States cruiser
Yorktown had been fred upon IN the
harbor of Valparaiso by the Chileans.
The startling rumor caused great excite
ment for while, and frequent calls
were made on the Associated Pr, s. to
ascertain il there was any truth in it.
! When the story was repeated to Secre-
tary Tracy he treated it very lightly,
and was disposed to ridicule it. He
added that he had no news whatever to
communicate to the press.
Captain schiSy's Men Want Revenge.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19.-The Call
says the cruiser Baltimore, now at Mare
Island navy yard, has been ordered to
leave tomorrow for the south. She will
go direct to Acapulco. Captain Schley
and the officers of tho Baltimore have
asked to be reassigned to her on the un-
standing that trouble will occur with
Chile, and many of her crew have re-
enlisted on the same understanding. Il
As stated that the Mohican, a wooden
vessel, has been ordered to leave Mare
ISLAND for Panama.