Evening star., 1898-09-17

was contributed to the Spanish cause. Pro-
cessiOns of Spaniards and Spanish SYM
pathizers marched through the streets yell
ing Death to the Yankees and the papers
denounced the action of our President and
Congress In unmeasured terms.
1t was at this time that a plot was form
eG by number of Spaniards and pro-
Spanish Chileans to blow up the Oregon
and Marietta in the harbor of Valparaiso.
1t was known that these ships were on
their way here. and it had been stated that
they would stop at Valparaiso. Explosives
were purchased. and an Italian OF Nalpa-
raiso who is skilled in making submarine
weapons of destruction was employed 10
prepare them for use It was intended to
place these under the two vessels if posi-
bic and blow them to pieces while lying in
what their officers considered a friendly
port. The plot was. however, revealed TO
our consul. Mr.. CaDes of Valparaiso by a
prC-American-Chile and he at once COM
mUnicated it to Mr.. Henry l.. Wilson, the
United States minister here. Mr.. Wilson
at Cnce took the train for Valparaiso. He
called uTon the intendcnte. or governor,
ard laid the details of the matter. as far
as heknew them, before him. These de-
tails were not complete. but they showed
the existence of a compact oTganiza ton
and studied plan. The intendente was at
first inclined to doubt the accuracy of the
information. but at the same time said
that he would Investigate the matter fully
ana would take every precaution to have
at work and later told our minister that
his Information was correct and that the
organization Ol and plot existed. He at once
however, made his arrangements to prevent
this plot and any other that might be form
td from being carried out. He organized
d complete police boat patrol of the harbor
ana when the Marietta arrived, the Oregon
having remained outside, no boats were al
low ed TO come near her except after the
inspection and with the approval of the
CTIedn OlncerS. This patrol was kept
about her during the three days she lay
here. Upon his return TO Santiago Minis
ter Wilson expressed to the minister Of
foreign affairs his appreciation of the
prompt action of the intendente and his
officials. Had the plot succeeded 1t would
have been difficult for the government TO
have satisfactorily explained its non-con-
necuon with il, and a great deal of credit
should be given 10 Minister Wilson and
Consul Caples for their prompt action.
Our Minister to Chile.
I find that Henry L. Wilson, the United
States minister here, is doing much to bet
ter the relations between Chile and the
United States 1t is largely through his
influence and his quiet diplomatic way of
treating things that the tone of the Chilean
press has changed, and several of the San
Uago papers have become almost Yankee
supporters in their editorials. He has pro-
dLCed an excellent impression in the official
he is an ardent American. he seems to be
abundantly able to hold his own and not
offend the sensitive pro-SpaniSh Chileans.
At the same time. he has organized the
coi.Sular service of the country so that full
reports of all vessels likely to be used
against the United States are sent to him
as soon as they enter the various harbors
of Chile, which reports are at once for
warded TO Washington. Mr.. Wilson is one
of the young men in the diplomatic serv-
ice. He is just forty, and his present office
is the first he has ever held. He is a
brother of United States Senator John l..
Wilson, an 1ndianian by birth, his father
having been member of Congress and at
the time of his death United States minis
ter to Venezuela. After studying law in
Indianapolis and acting for a time the
proprietor and manager of the Lafayette
Journal. Mr.. Wilson went to Washington
and settled at Spokane. Here he engaged
in banking, and within few years made
q fortune. He suffered reverses. however
during the recent panic, and had just be-
gun the making of a second fortune when
President Mckinley asked him to represe mt
the United States here. He lives very nice
ly in Santiago, having a large house in
the most fashionable part Of the capital.
His wife and mother are with him. and he
has three little children, two of whom 60
to the American schools.
In connection with the pro-Spanish feel
ing here a rather amusing incident occur
red in one Of the Catholic churches the
other day. The interpreter Of our legation
is a fine organist and his services are in de-
mand at several of the best churches of
Santiago. While he was in attendance at
one OF them several weeks ago, when the
war spirit was at Its height, the priest de-
iyered sermon denouncing the United
States and pratstng the Spaniards The
Yankee orgauist could not of course reply
in words, although his soul was filed with
Indignation. bRtAS tie caRSIs2atton rose to