The New York herald., 1879-09-25
SPANISH AMERICA.
EXPERIMENTS WITH HoMEsICK ToRPEDo-rHK
HUAscAR STARTS ON HER VOYAGE ALONG THE
CHILEAN COAST AND ARRIVES AT ANToFA-
GASTA. tF.i

HUAsCAE STARTS ON HER VOYAGE ALONG THE
CHILEAN COAST AND ARRIVES AT ANrorA-
GAsTA. ~.
LIMA Sept 3. 1879.
The Huascar left africa on the 20th of August
bound south of her audacious voyages
along the Chilean coast and have only the intel
ligence concerning her that she put in an appear
ance at Antofagasta where two wooden Chilean
corvettes stationed. but. for some reason not
given did not attack them. The story is current
that the Huascar had new torpedo of English
manufacture on board with an operative brought
out expressly to handle the dangerous weapon.
When the two vessels Of the enemy were deserted
Captain Grau thought that it was good oppor-
tunity to try the torpedo. although his errsnd
to make the experiment on greater game. one of
the Chilean ironclads. The torpedo
quently detached and put in motion toward the
Chilean corvettes. when to the exceeding surprise
and discontinue Of the people board the Huascar
it suddenly ceased its onward movement. and AZ IL
desirous Of returning home. turned and came on its
way slowly but surely back toward the Huascar.
There hardly time to get out OF tho danger
OF the shock. What was to be done? The problem
was quickly solved by officer Of the ram-Lieu-
tenant Fermin Diez- -Canseco-who sprang into the
water swan toward the advancing torpedo and
gently moving it to side changed its course. SO
that it went far to the stern OF the Huascar. It
which regaled. Sc zero ben trovato.
At all events the Huascar is still the Chilean
coast. A number Of lighters and transports had
been destroyed by her. and it will be remembered
that in this consists of the most etiicacious
Of hampering the enemy. To destroy all
means Of embarking troops on this coast. where
wharfs and moles either impossible little
present at least the attempt the Cheans
the Peruvian seaboard. Senior santa-Maris one OF
promised the Cheans great victory before thellSth
this month. the anniversary OF the Independence
of that republic. The Chilean feet is much broken
up since the blockade OF Iquique was raised. The
Cochrane is dock at Valpa aso whore are also the
wooden steamers OHiggins and Covadonga under
going repairs. The other ironclad the Blanco En-
calda, with the corvette Chacabuco. Is somewhere
between Valparaiso and Caldera. and, as we have
seen, Aotao and Magallane were at Antofagasta
WAITING NEws.
No one here believes that Captain Grau. or rather
Rear Admiral Grau-for to this exalted position he
has beem Justly raised by the unanim accord Of
the Executive and legislative bodieshas left these
vessels quietly in port without making further
had received longer stay could be made ut Antofa
gasta, the Huascar had more important
it may be the pleasant duty of your corre-
spondent chronicle another victory gained
by the Huascar. The Union is still further south
ward, and news has been received from her since
her departure from africa August l. Nothing
United States in this unfortunate quarrel. The
Chilean press treated the matter with the utmost
discourtesy terming ~ 1a9kee Sia Meaia'on; ana t
anxious acquire firm foothold in this portion OK
the world. Heaven help them II American govern
ment was established IN Chile
The heavy guns Of the wrecked Independencia
have been recovered and are now mounted in bat
terry Iquique. General Prado Is expected shortly
in Lima from Arica probably with the idea of calm-
ing down the excited spirits in Congress.
to the Ministry Of the treasury have been
worrying the Executive to such extent to rem
der necessary the resignation of the obnoxious
Ga~r DIR m
in his opinions to suit the taste OF
these modern solons. The land forces have made no
movement since last advices. Colonel William
Smith the finest artillery officer in the Peruvian SER
vice. and man of distinguished reputation both
on the ult The loss to Peru At this juncture OF
such o man is irremediable and the nation mourns
dies at the early age fortytwo years. His father.
Mr.. George Smith. Of IQuique, was the first to in
troduce Peruvian nitrate Of soda to European mar
kets.
MAsTERLY INACTIVITY OF THE LAND FORCES
AFFAIRS OF THE BANco NAcIoNAL.
PANAMA, Sept 16, 1879.
The land forces engaged in the prosecution OF the
war have done nothing. and have attempted no for
ward movement For all practical purposes they
might well be disbanded. as they are useless
bill of expense At the present time this is partcu-
larly the case there not dollar in the Peruvian
treasury. The future has been anticipated up to
the end of November. and s5.OOoOoo ara
due to the banks and others for
penses. There is money to pay wages
that are due to soldiers to furnish them with
their rations. The Finance Minister. appalled, by
the difficulty Of the situation. has resigned and no
one had the courage to take his place. The Con-
eress now in session has voted down every measure
proposed by the Finance Minister the joint Com
mittee Finance. What is to be done il difficult to
say. General Prado is expected to arrive shortly
from africa and will endeavor to solve the difficulty
If possible.
The affairs Of the Bsnco Nacional are in . most
complicated condition The doors are closed to the
puoS nna narc.% J Nth an isos use Of nsDer
TO the amount of $2.665. 900. The government has
guaranteed the overssue. and an assessment on tho
shareholders will furnish funds sufficient to pay
depostors and others holding claims against the
bank. 1t is likely soon to resume business.
Mr.. Santa Maria the Chilean Minister of War.
fore the 18th Of September. the anniversary of
Chilean independence. Where the battle is to bo
fought the gentleman does not say. and the public
will await with interest the fulfmont Of the prom
ise Three officers from the United States flagship
Pensacola, one of whom was sketching near the
wreck of the old Wateree, arrested by an OFF,
cia but ON the facts being made known to Admiral
Montero they Immediately released. Tho
official who detained them did not know who they
were. and thought they were taking sketches of the
forts.
1t is learned from private sources from Port
Lmon, Costa Rica. that Minor c. Keith n Co. have
secured the contract for the completion of the At
lantic division of the Costa Rca Ralroad-that is.
from Limon to the capital. About thirty-thrcs
miles are now IN operation from Lmon, ana an
equal II not greater distance remains to be done.
The Bishop of Nicaragua, the Right Rev. Dr. Man-
ue Ulloa Cavo, died at Leon the 27th of August
of disease OF the heart. hereditary Affection and
from which the venerable prelate had suffered
severely. The United States steamer Alaska, Cap
tain George Brown. arrived at Panama September
Is. All well board. Her Britannia Majesty's
ship Osprey is in Panama Bay and the United States
steamship vandalia at Aspinwal.
DoMDARpMENT OF ASroFAGAsTA.
LIMA. Sept. ga p. M.
The prophecy made in my despatch has been