The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-13

Highly Important Intelligence from
Spain-valpnrafso to be Bombaried
ana the War Against Chile and Her
Allies Abandoned.
The last Southampton steamer which arrived
at this port brought private intelligence of
startling import to The Pacific coast States en-
gagged in the war with Spain, and of great in
terest to all civilized nations
On the 18th of March an officer of the Span
ish navy, supposed to have been Rear Admiral
Isquierdo, left Southampton, with positive Or
ders to lombard Valparaiso, and then, with
drawing to Montevideo, abandon as fruitless
the war against the allies. A Chilean bearer
Of dispatches left this city on the 18th instant
for Asplnwall, bearing this important intelli-
gence to the Chilean authorities.
The Spaniards, despairing at their inability
to continue the war in the Pacific and cha
grined at the repeated reverses with which
their inadequate navy has met, have resorted
to this treacherous and barbarous way of end
ing the war which they so foolishly began.
The bombardment of Valparaiso as measure
of mere revenge would be not only barborous
and lmpolitic, but highly criminal. The city is
defenceless, not a gun being mounted to pro-
tect it. 1t is the most important port and city
on the South Pacific coast, has population of
10000 natives and 10000 foreigners, and is
the entrepot for all central South America.
The greater part of the city, called the Puerto,
is owned by foreigners principally-Engl:s h,
Germans and Americans the palace of the
Intendcncia, The Mercantile Exchange, the Post
Ofdcc and the Custom House storehouses all lie
within short range OF vessels in the harbor, and
In case OF bombardment cannot fail to be
destroyed, together with three or four hundred
millions of property. The sacrifice of life in
such an event would be incalculable, for not
on,-haf of the population could leave the city.
These facts render this intelligence important
to our own country and other neutral Powers,
and call for action in the matter 1t remains
to be seen if the commanders of the American
and English fleets will consent to the perpetra-
ton Of such coyardly and wanton outrage.
Commodore Rodgers commanding the special
squadron, and Commodore Pearson, command
ing the Pacific squadron, are now in the vicinity
Of Valparaiso, and little doubt remains that
they will both not only protest against but
prevent the commission of such crime. II is
reported that Commodore Rodgers has written
TO a friend in Washington that nothing would
give him greater pleasure than to receive or
ders to sink the Numancia, which, he declares,
the Monadnock can do with ease in FIVE min
uies AT any rate, such an act on the part of
Spain would not long go unpublished. II would
arouse the passions of the allies and inspire
them 10 carry the war home to Spanish cities,
and Spanish commerce would be driven from
the sea by Chilean privateers, built in the neu-
trail ports Of nations whose sympalhcs such an
act would justly awaken. Such an act would
rob Spain not only Of what little of the respect
of other people she yet possesses, but would at
once place her without the pale OF civilized
nations.