The Portland daily press., 1892-01-18
THU MAN FOR THE PLACE.
YerktoWn's Commander Talks Back
to the Chilian Minister.
AS A RESULT HE is STILL BOARD
ING THOSE REFUGEES.

Chilian Authorities Have Changed Their
Tactics-Refugees May Be Taken in
Are Still ON the Yorktown-Our Naval
Authorities Preparing for Conflict
Administration Still Hopes for Peace.
WASHINGTON, January 17.-Secretary
Tracy tonight made public despatch,
dated January 16, from Commander
Evans of the United States steamer
Yorktown, at Valparaiso, Chill, in re-
gard to the Balmacedist refugees put
aboard that vessel by United States Min
lister Egan and the Spanish minister.
The despatch says: "The American
minister informs me that the Chilian
minister of foreign affairs has changed
his mind about the refugees now on the
Yorktown. They may be taken out of
any merchant vessel touching at Chill
ian port by the local authorities. Ar
rangements had been made for all
of them to sail today. This change of
base on the part of the Chilian minister
of foreign affairs compels me to keep
them, which crowds me very much.
Should land them at Callao, Peru, or
Malando, no steamers from there go di-
rect to neutral territory. This unexpect-
ed act of the Chilian minister of foreign
affairs is due, he says, in part to my sa-
luting the Spanish minister when he
I. 4o Jo7.x 10 {yryl .afy
gees. I notified the minister of foreign
affairs that am responsible to my own
government and not to that of Chill in
such matters, and consider his criticism
offensive and will not acceptit."
The decision of Senior Perera, the Chill
ian minister of foreign affairs, that refu-
gees might be taken out of any merchant
vessel touching at a Chilian port by the
local authorities, was a surprise to the Of
ficials here. They had been led to be-
lieve that the refugees would sail yester-
day on the way to Europe. Secretary
Tracy said tonight that he will send in
structions to Commander Evans tomor-
row. He will probably order the refu-
gees to be taken to some place in neutral
Territory by the Yorktown. There is no
ground for offense to the Chilian govern
ment in the action of Commander Evans
in saluting the Spanish minister when
the latter came ON board to deliver the
refugees who had been under his care.
The naval regulations require command
ers of vessels to extend this courtesy to
visiting dignitary. This latest move of
the Chilian government is very unsatis
factory to such officials in Washington as
are willing to express themselves with
respect to the matter. Secretary Tracy
evidently regretted what occurred and
seemed to think it an affront to the ma
ton. Neither Secretary Blaine nor Min
lister Montt had any news bearing on the
Chilian situation for the press tonight.
ADMINISTRATION HOPES FOR PEACE
But Has Made Its Plans for War IF Chill
Means Fight.
New York, January 16.-The Eve
ming SUMS Washington special says:
Secretary Tracy and Assistant Secretary
of State Adee say that the reported fight
of Minister Egan from Chill is untrue.
Nothing has been received from Chill
for several days. The published re-
ports of the messages from Egan to
Montt are pure inventions. The Presi-
dent and Secretary Blaine are now rest
ing on their oars, hoping and expecting
that the Chilian government, when its
investigation is completed, will make a
suitable apology If they do not the
President says he will act promptly and
effectively.
The special adds that, in case of a cam
paign against the Chilian navy, the COM
mand Of operations is likely to be re-
posed in Rear Admiral Gherardi, at
present in charge of the North Atlantic
station, and that there would be two di-
visions commanded respectively by Ad-
miral Walker, who is now at Montevldeo
with the so-called squadron Of evolution,
and Admiral Brown, who has had some
experience with the Chilians. 1t is
planned to establish coaling station in
the South Pacific, whence. vessels may
sail upon the forts of the enemy. The
extent of the expedition against Chill
cannot be determined until the intent of
the Chilians IS more apparent than it is
at this time. Expert opinion as to the
nature of hostilities is naturally varied.
If something more than a naval demon
stration shall eventually appear to be
necessary, the question of transporting
sufficient troops for operations on land
will come up, and even now the possibili-
ty of such feature has not been lost
sight of. The President has completed
his message to Congress so far as dictat-
ing a resume of the entire correspond
ence is concerned, but has not yet pre-
pared any portion of the recommends
tions.
Negotiations are at a standstill and
have been for several days.