Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1891 — LOOKS MUCH LIKE WAR. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LOOKS MUCH LIKE WAR.

CHILI’S BLUNT REFUSAL. TO MAKE AMENDS. Strong Language Used—lt MzJ Kemlt In War—Decisive Action by (Ittle Sam’s Officials Is Expected—OfF.cers and Sailors of the Baltimore Reported ‘in Great Danger. Dark Clouds Rising. Th.i Chilian Government has replied to United Mates Minister Kgan’a demand for reparation for the recent attack upon tiie United States steamship Haiti more's crew. It is a refusal to accept responsibility for the affair. Minister Egan has notified the State Department at Washington, and decisive action is looked for very quickly. Tho authorities of Valparaiso have gene so far as to refuse to guarantee the safety of market boats coming to that city from the United States war-ship .Baltimore, or the safety of officers of that vessel coming ashore at night Minister Egan has notified our Government that the crew of the Baltimore are practically boycotted, aud no American sailors are permitted to land at that port. Much surprise is expressed at the ”ery strong langugo in which tho Chilian Government’s reply is coached. The attack on the blue jackets of the cruiser Baltimore occurred in tho streets of Valparaiso on Oct. 16, aud was, in the opinion of the oil cers of tho Baltimore, due mainly to the fleling of hostility entertained by the mass of Chilians toward Americans. Tho police of the city, as tho investigation of the affair by Captain W. S. Schley and the officers of the Baltimore showed, assisted tho mob in its assault upon the sailors. The Chilians were armed with knives and pistols, and tho blue jackets had no weapons. One of tho blue-jackets, Charles Riggin, a boatswain’s mate, was dragged from a street car by a mob and shot to death. Five more men were dangerously wounded with knives and bayonets. One has since died of his wounds. That the police joined in the attack on the sa'lors was evident by the bayonet wounds many of the sailors received. Thirty-five sailors were arrested by the use of much unnecessary force, dragged through the streets and locked up The report of Captain Schley indicates that the assault on the biue-jackets was premeditated, By order of President Harrison a dispatch was sent to Mr. Egon, tho American Minister at Santiago, ordering him to bring the matter to the attention of

the Chilian Government and inquire whether there were any qualifying facts in the possession of that Government, and whether it had any explanations to offor for its failure to inquire into the matter and punish the guilty persons. Tho reply, as stated above, is a most defiant one. and may call for speedy action by tho United States. In view of the trouble that seems to be imminent hecrotarv Tracy has reported to tho President that the following war vessels can be made ready and equippod in ninety days: The Philadelphia, of 4,413 tons, is 315 feet long, 10,500-horso power, and can steam nineteen knots an hour. She carries four 8-inch and six 6-inch breechloading rifles. She also has torpedo tubes Tho Kearsarge is a wooden vessel of 1,550 tons, 821 horse power and can steam along nine knots an hour. She carries two 8-inch 8-ton and four 9-inch 4- smooth bore* and one 60-pounder breech-loader. The cruiser Concord is of 1,700 tons burden, 230 feet long, 3,400 horse power, and can mako sixteen knots an hour. Her armament consists of six 6-inch breech-loading rifles and several rapidlire guns. The Chicago is 4,500 tons burden, 415 feet long, and has 5,000 horse power and can cover fifteen knots an hour. She carries four 8-in< h, eight 6-inch and two 5- breech-loading rifles; also several rapid-fire guns. The Newark is of 4,083 tons displacement, 310 feet long, 8,500 horso power, and makes eighteen knots an hour. Twelve C-inch guns of five tons each, and four s x-pounders (rapid fire) constitute her equipment The T’etrel is of 890 tons burden and only 175 feet tong. She has 1,300-horse power, and can steam thirteen knots an hour. Her guns aro fonr 6-inch breech-loading rifles aud several rapidfire guns. The Baltimore, already at Valparaiso, is of 4,413 tons burden, 315 feet long, has an indicated horse power of 10,750 and can make nineteen knots in an ordinary sea. She carries four 8-inch 11%-ton breech-loading rifles, six flinches and a number of smaller euns. The Yorktown is 1,700 tons, 230 feet long, 3.400 indicated horse powet- and can mako sixteen knots. She carries six 6-inch breech-loaders and several smaller guns. The San Francisco is a sister ship to tho Philadelphia, and is similarly equipped. The Miantonomah is 3,815 tons disp'acement,, 249 feet long, and has 7 inches of armor. Her turret is n% inches thick, and behind this is all an 8-inch backing. Her horse power is 1,600, and she can steam 10.50 knots an hour. Her armament consists of and several rapid-fire guns. 'I he new steel cruiser Detroit has just been launched, and could also be made ready for the fray.

U. S. CRUISER DETROIT.