The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-20
And That is the Subject Of the
Possibility OF War With
Chilli.
This Government Strong Enough
to Overlook a Good
Many Things.
IT tho Worst should Come, However
Congress VIII Not shrink From Its
.84 8ses. Plain Duty.

CAPlthl Ills HoTHlHR tiib oAlllHL question:
was the topic Of conversation. In his
prayer the chaplain OF the house asked for
divine guidance for the president and his
advisers ana the members Of the two houses
in the present crisis in that all that shall
be advised and decided upon be done for the
safety, honor, dignity and welfare of the
nation in spirit of justice and concilia-
tion to all other nations, and have the
sanction and blessing of tho prince of kings
OF this earth. It was reported at the capi-
tai to-day that the government of Great
Britain had taken steps to bring about a
more friendly feeling between the United
States and Chilli and will intervene to ef-
feet settlement OF the trouble A member
of the foreign affairs committee of the
house said this afternoon he had not re-
ceived the information officially, but that
he had no doubt of the correctness of it. 1t
is said Great Britain would endeavor to ar
range basis Oh which an amicable agree
ment might be reached.
Secretary Tracy was very busy before he
went to the cabinet meeting to-day. Soon
after reaching his Office he had a long con-
ference with Senator Cameron, chairman of
the senate naval committee. He was also
in consultation, as usual Of late. with his
staff officers on various matters concerning
the present operations Of the department..
Commander Eyans, of the Yorktown, to-
day informed the navy department that the
Chilian steamer Esmeralda left Valparaiso
this morning to go to the assistance of the
British mail steamship John Alder, reported
ashore 16O miles south of Valparaiso. 1t is
leurned to-day that the Balmacedist refu-
gees are still on the Yorktown, and conse-
quenty in no danger of falling into
the hands of Chilians by reason of the
wreck of the steamship John Alder. The
| statement that they were placed on that
vessel in disguise at Valparaiso is therefore
incorrect. The fact that the Esmeralda
had gone to the wreck of the John Alder
might indicate, however, that the local
authorities incline to the impression that
the refugees were passengers on that vessel
Word has been received in Washington
that the Philadelphia the flagship Of Ad-
lniral Gherardi' q squad ron, las sailed south
4 tom Barbados, presumably for Monte
video. This indicates general naval
movement Of Importance, as station lines
of the naval system are regarded as abso-
lutte, except in cases of emergency.
There is considerable speculation as to
naval force in the Pacific in case Of war,
but the general opinion centers upon Rear
Admiral Kimberly, who is at the head of
the active list.
There was a lull in talk to-day with ref
erence to Chilian matters on the house side
of the capitol. The disposition was to
await receipt of the presidents message be-
fore endeav orlng to form decided opinion
on the subject. The feeling expressed by
nearly all was of disbelief in war as the
probable outcome of the trouble. The
members could not say just in what way
kI,n% ht <or l,,,fA AI,ara
! was a general concurrence of opinion that
it would do SO in some manner or other.
A number of democratic representatives
who were talked with deprecated war with
so small nation as Chill, and said the
United States is large and strong enough to
afford to overlook great many things
rather than proceed to extremities.
During the afternoon report was i'll cir
culation that the situation had assumed
slightly more pacific aspect. 1t WAS rum
ored that Great Britain had intervened and
offered her offices to bring about peaceful
two countries. Tho official confirmation Of
this rumor could not be obtained by mem
bers, but it found credence with many from
the fact that it had been anticipated that
IN amicable arrangement might be reached
through the friendly interpretation of some
third nation, and Great Britain. with her
vast interests in Chill, was looked upon ns
most likely to be the Intervening power,
Differences of opinion was manifested as to
whether or not the United States ought to
accept the mediation of any third party
without an expression from Chilli of regret
ut the lawless acts of her citizens and the
disavowal of official connection or sympathy
with them.
knowledge of the fact that the Captain
Prat Chills formidable war vessel now
building in France, can be turned over to
Chilli in short time, makes members OF
seaboard cities anxious that the presidents
message to congress SHOULD soon be forth
the talk to-day was favorable to peace
many democratic members said plainly
if fighting did come they were in favor ol
pushing the war vigorously and relent-
lessly, emitting no measure to give Chilli q
severe lesson. Should the president recon-
mend congress to declare war against Chilli
the votes of congress would be one of the
most emphatic alternatives ever recorded
in the capitol, but there would be a mi
nority, and there the maker of history will
find the two alliance senators--kyle anc
PETER. What Irby would say were he here
is not known. Kyle thinks war with Chill
would be national disgrace, that
the idea of going to war with SO small
country is criminally ridiculous. Pe1fel
said: "A perverted doctrine of patriotism
is responsible for the war feeling. The
idea that the trouble at Valparaiso consti-
tutes cause 1of war, springs from HIS
taken sense of honor. A lot of our sailors
most of them probably intoxicated, became
parties to n brawl and because two or three
of them were killed. we must bring about
Mt enormous expense, the death of many
more of our people, is proposition of per
feet foolishness.'
The cabinet did not pursue the discussion
after Secretary Rlainess retirement from
} meeting to-day, so any dispatches he NAV
have had in his possession could not be
fully considered at that time. 1t is under.
stood the subject will be taken up Mt the
point where the discussion WAS interrupted
when the cabinet meets again, which ma,