The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-21
Special to the RECoRD-UNroS.

Special to the RECoRD-UNToN.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-There was a
decided diminution in the war talk
around the Navy Department this morn
ing. and a more peaceful state of affairs
prevailed.
Secretary Tracy had a conference with
Senators Cameron and Mcpherson of the
Senate Naval Committee, and it is under
stood that the Secretary laid before them
q statement of the expenditures that he
recently incurred in his preparations for
Il naval demonstration in southern
waters, and asked that when his estimates
for appropriations should be submitted
that he receive the support of the com
mittee.
A week ago he is alleged to have said
that these preparations seemed to be alb
solutely necessary, but he now believes
that there will be no war.
IL is understood that the Secretary re-
ceived the assurance of the committee
that he will be supported in every
proper and necessary expenditure that
was involved in his precautionary move
ments.
This expression on the part of the Sec
AGttT lIldI ne D6lIeNeS IDaJ the CfISlS has
passed, Is taken as an indication that the
conciliatory dispatches from the Chilean
Government are regarded as paving the
way for an ultimate act of PREPARATION on
the part of Chile.
At all events it is certain that the war
like tone that was recently manifested at
the Navy Department has been consider
ably modified.
There is no less activity in the Naviga-
ton Bureau IN the preparation and trans
lation of cipher dispatches.
Though the peaceful rumors have had a
very general effect, many naval officers
refuse to place entire credence in them,
alleging that Chile is making a show OF
lelenting in order TO gain time for her
own preparations.
A very accurate index of popular senti-
ment is obtained through the letters that
pour in upon Secretary Tracy from all
parts of the country.
Ten days ago these letters indicated the
development of a decided war spirit, but
to-day there seems to have been change
III their tone, and there is a growing dis
position to urge the Secretary to take q
conciliatory course.
1t is quite apparent that Congress will
not be enlightened on the Chilean con-
trOversy for at least two or three days, for
the announcement was made at the State
department that the correspondence will
LOT be sent in tomorrow.
While the Cabinet did not assemble for
elaboration to-day the joint presence of
Secretaries Blaine, Elllins and Tracy at
the White House bore a strong resem-
blance to a Cabinet meeting. They re-
manned in conference with the President
some time, and General }. w. Foster was
called in. The discussion related gen
orally to the Chilean affair, but the ques-
ton most distinctly under consideration
was the character of the Presidents mes
sage to Congress.
The Secretary of the Treasury received
2 message from Commander Evans TO-
Cay, saying that the Yorktown will sail
Tor Callao with the refugees tonight.
This is regarded as indicating that affairs
Gre quiet in Chile at present.
THE vEsUvIUs.
NEW York, Jan. 20. - The United
States dynamite cruiser Vesuvius VIII be
ready for active service in forty Gavs
I'he delay is occasioned in providing the
vessel with projectiles and supplying ar
NOR protection along the sides in the
wake of the machinery and boilers. The
y esuviuS is in commission and can pro-
coed to sea any day. She never hereto
1OiOre has been supplied with full set OF
shells for her pneumatic guns. The We
suvius at present is at the Brooklyn Navy
ard. she is commanded by Lieutenant
Schroeder and carries a crew Of about
eighty men. Next to the torpedo boat
Gushing the NesuviuS is the fastest YES
sci in the United States Navy.
NEW YORK HARBOR DEFENsEs.
NEW YORK, Jan. 20.-Ex-Lieutenant-
Colonel Gillespie of the Engineers De-
lartment of the army is in this city. In
response to query as TO the safety OF
New \ ork in case of war with Chile, he
said there was Il mistaken idea on the
part of the public that our harbor delenses
We're altogether out of date, and would be
OF little use in keeping the enemy at bay
1--WE haN everything in the shape of an
armament we had at the close of the Civil
WAR and additions have been made from
time to time. We are now at work
strengthening the fortifications in the
reighborhood or this city. More has been
done all along and is still being done in
preparation for emergencies than the
great majority of the people dream Off
EVERYTHING IN A STATE OF hustle.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 20-Everything
is in a state of hustle at Cramps ship
yard. where the armored cruiser Corsair
and the battle-ships Massachusetts and
Indiana are undergoing construction.
In the different shops work is contin-
Ied until 10 o'clock each night.
Henry Cramp was seen in reference to
this, and when asked ii the company had
received any orders to push the work he
sud. There will be no use to push our
work. as we always do that, and | DO not
see how we could get along any faster"
The chief efforts of the large force of
men now at work at the League Island
Navy Yard are directed toward preparing
for great increase in the capacity of the
yard for repairs and construction
WILL NOT APOLOGIZE UNTIL COMPELLED
To.
New YORK, Jan. 20.-The Peruvian
Consul at New York, Z. Percy Develasco,
said in regard to the war situation: II
do not suppose war Will occur for the
Chileans will probably apologize. IT
they feel they are in the wrong they will
nodoubt ultimately make an apology But
one thing is certain, they will not offer
an apology TO the United States until, they
are compelled to. or until they see a dis
aStrous wax can no longer be averted."
AT MARE ISLAND.
VALLEJO, Jan. 20.-The navy yard is
very animated nowadays. The force of
men at work is much larger than it has
been for years. Work no longer ceases
a. Sundown, but is continued by the aid
OF electric lights until 10 O'Clock at night,
while the distinction between Sunday
and work days has been lost sight of for
weeks.
The most important work in progress
is that on the Baltimore. She is lying III
the stream, with coal barges on each side,
from which her bunl<ers are being
rapidly filled. This has been going on
for three days now, and will soon be
finished. When she has taken on her
II Of .tr.