The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-17
PREPARATIONS
FOR HOSTILITIES.
The Government Viii Uphold
Its Dignity.
General Feeling That Congress Rill Sustain
The PresiieIt-Shipment Of Ammuli-
ton 10 San Francisco.
gpeclal TO TIE MoRNrNs CALI

learned that any communications have
passed this morning between the State De
partment and Minister Egan, nor was the
Chilean Minister at the department Sew
eraI Senators and Representatives called up
on Secretary Blaine In the forenoon One
Of the former said be had heard nothing
directly from the Secretary relating to Chile,
but he did know that this country should
now assert its dignity and punish the bump
uous little South American republic.
Secretary Tracy was in his Office all morn
ing seeing members Of Congress and other
callers. The Navy Department was in con-
stant telegraphic communication with the
navy-yard and naval stations in all parts Of
thecouutry for several hours last night
PREPARING FOR WAR.
It's reported preparations are betugmale
by the Chilean Government for war, though
the news is lacking official confirmation in
au irs details yet The reported dispatch
Ing Of feet Of three cruisers and tor
pedo-boa. from Valparaiso under sealed
orders, which was reported from Chile
through private sources yesterday is viewed
with deep concern at the Navy Depart
ment This move is thought to be for the
purpose Of guarding the Straits of Magellan,
which IS regarded TO a certain extent as q
gateway to Chile. a comparatively small
number Of weIl-armed vessels, advantage
ously placed in the straits, could. in the
opinion Of naval experts. hold that impor-
taut passage against large feet. To be
sure, this would not necessarily prevent the
ultimate rounding Of Cape Horn by an
American squadron bound for Chile as
two days steaming would carry tie ships
into the Pacific by the outside route. The
theory IS, however, that 1t is the desire Of
the Chilean Government to afford ample
protection to its important coal and supply
station at Porto Cabello, in the straits. The
capture Of this station would be a serious
blow to Chile, and might ultimately be made
the object Of q campaign in southern waters
in the case Of hostiliues.
CHILE MUST APOLOGIZE.
The members Of Congress are awaiting
with interest the publication Of tie Chilean
correspondence. There is belief enter
tanned by some members that q peaceful
solution VII. be found. and that while the
Situation IS grave, war win not result It
is understood -hat the posit on assumed by
the United states is that an apology must be
made by Chile, and there viii th u follow
the question Of indemnity. Some fear is
entertained that Chile IS asserting her iude-
pendence and freedom from outs de pres
sure, which may by procTastina,i0u bring
about state Of things which viii terminate
in rupture Of the relations between the
two countries and hosdlties may then
ensue Though this latter is regarded as
unlikely and improbable the members who
express them selves in pacific manner also
intimate very plainly, however. that they
will not he backward in uph0ldlng tie ad-
minlstration in the steps necessary 70 tie
maintenance Of national dignity ana self
Tespec.
MONTHS MANY DIFFICULTIES
One Senator called attention to tie in
mense national pride Of tie Chilean people
as accounting for the delay Of that Gov
eminent In making reparation He said
President Mont was in position beset
with difficulties, No doubt bis disposition
was 10 make amends for the Baltimore out
rage, but to do so without cautiously lead
ing his people to believe that he was not
sacrificing their national dignity would
bring down on his administration the wrath
Of sensitive and excited people and might
cause another revolution. They have TO
taik to the galleries down there just as we
d. here" said The Senator
DEFESsEs OF san FRANCISCO.
D.liRent Inquiry at tie War Department
falls to disclose any warllke preparations
IN the army. Men are at work on the forti-
fcauoDs around San Francisco, but this
work was begun last spring before any sug-
Eesttons Of war with Chile. For the com
fort Of Calif0rnians, who have been repre-
Sented as defenseless, it may be stated on
tie authority Of ordnance officers that the
Golden Gate is defended by some l5-inch
guns, which, though smoothbores, are yet
most formidable weapons. Experiments
made at Sandy Hook with guns Of this
size have shown that the powder charge
may be largely incre ased as compared with
what was regarded as sale Charges during
tie war The improvements in slow-burn-
Ing powders made this possible, and now
15inch smoothbore with a charge Of I30
pounds Of powder will throw lfrojectue
weighing 40 pounds a distance Of nearly
four miles. At 1000 yards-the usual naval
fighting distance-this heavy shot will peue-
trate ten inches Of armor, aud the Chileans
have as yet no vessel that could Withstand
sucn pEojectiles
4 HUMANE AGREEMENT.
4 curious outcome Of the present agita-
tion was the publication BY The War De-
partment to-day Of a convention framed as
long ago as 1864, to which the United States
and Chile signi6ed their adhesion. In view
Of tie allegation made TO the effect that the
Chleans practice inhuman barbarity in
war, such as massacreing prisoners and
wounded men and mutilating the dead
bodies, II may be reassuring 10 our soldiers
to know Of this convention "f9r the ameIf.
Grafton Of the wounded in armies in the
field" By some oversight the convention
has never before been officially published.
It guarantees the neutrality and protection
for the ambulance and hospital corps and
provides that wounded OF sick soldiers be
taken care Of without regard TO nationality.
1t also contains ample provisions for the
succoriug Of wounded OF wrecked sailors,
And IN brief throws around the combatants
every possible guarantee Of humane treat
ment in the event Of being wounded or
captured.
TTEAVy Gr-Nc pEApv