The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-28
TYRANNY OF A DICTATOR.
An American Consul In Ecuador Insulted
"A Plucky Italian Captain.

An American Consul In Ecuador Insulted
"A Plucky italian Captain.
PANAMA, March IT, Dictator Vintimilla
continues In hot water In Guyaquil Signor
Alctdes Destruge Is consul ut the port for the
United States Of America for the kingdom OF
Italy, and for Venezuela. he had received
official communication that fighting would
soon occur in the Los Rios province, so he
asked for q safe condnct for the secretary Of
the Italian consulate to proceed there and
warn foreigners that their lives and property
might be imperiled, This suggestion was con-
sidered an insult, and MFR Destrnge was In
formed that he was considered an enemy OF
the government, and that consequently the su-
preme chief had had the exeuuatur OF each OF
bis consular patents cancelled. MIR. DestruSe
then Appealed to the captain OF the Italian
man-ot-war Caraeeiolo, which was at anchor in
the river at the time, who at once informed
the government that he considered himself
bound 10 assume the responsibility of repre-
senting his country. This communication re-
shifted 10 Capt. Amezaga being informed that
when he presented his credentials he would be
recognized as consul. Captain Amezaga was
temporarily satisfied with this answer but
few days afterwafd he learned that an Italian
subject named Antonio Arrata, had been seiz-
ca Tor having purchased some cartridges from
soldier, carried to ono Of the barracks and
there tortured in order 20 compel him to con-
Tess. Capt. Ame2aga AZ once demanded infor-
motion ON the point and requested that those
lHpilcAIe0 III TINS CRIMINAL proceeding shouiu
be tried for having reverted 10 the usagas OF
harharic times Senior Carbo then answered
that the man had been mistaken for an Equa-
dorian, this in palliatien OF the torture APP
plied-that he had been placed at liberty and
that trial wonid take place aud sha offenders
punished If It proved true that AErata had
been tortured. On the following day meas-
nres were taken 70 prevent foreigners suffering
should rioung break out in the city, and all
nationaiities we're informed that refuge would
be atfoaded on board the Caraccioio The En-
glish consul also reported that that vessel
would protect his fellow subjects. Shortly az
terward the English consul entered protest
against the seizure Of chronometere saiiasetc,
from the English vessel Mysterious Star, by
the Equadorian steamer Huarho. and the re-
turn OF the articles swas ordered and redress
promised
Much alarm exists In Guayaquil and all the
citizens unite In declaring that rloting was
prevented solely by the presence of an Italian
and an English man-of-war The captains Of
both vessels acted together, hut as the italian
was IN the first place the more directly involv-
ed, ON him fell the bulk of the discussion IL
Is probable that the revolutionary troops will
enter the city without o struggle At latest
dates they were in its elose vicinity. Public
opinion is strongly pronounced against the Die
tator, who declares he will hold cut at all haz-
ards, ever II the destruction OF the town should
follow.