The morning call., 1891-05-12
CAUGHT While On His Way to Board the
Overland Train
Tie Affair Was an OllgT0Fth Of The Escape Of
ths Iiata-It Is Charged That The Prisoner
Bad Purchased 100000 Cartridges for
the ReT0IltiMiSE-He Denies That He
HaS Violated The Neutrality Laws Dep
Ity SDdlldilg'S Story Of His Experience
al The I8ta-The ESmeTalda

Richard NJ. Trumbull, a member OF the
Chilean Congress, who has been in this
city for several days was arrested at
o'clock last night at the Oakland mole as he
was about to board the overland train for
the East by Deputy United States Marshal
Spalding and brought back to this city on
charge of violating the neutrality laws.
His bail was fixed at $4,000. and john
D. and Adolph Spreekels were named as
his sureties in that amount
II seems that instructions were wired four
days ago to United States Attorney Garter
by Attorney General Miller to hold Trum-
bull, who was then at the Palace Hotel,
but owing to a lack of evidence no arrest
was made at the time. In fact no one could
be found who knew anything of Mr.. Trum-
bull, and not man could be induced to
swear out a complaint.
sHADowED BY DETECTIVES.
1t was alleged that the Chilean was a
member of the insurrectOniSt party and
purchased and shipped to the revolutionists
by tile Robert and Minnie 3, ,000, ,0o0 cartridges
and 2, 900 rifles for the use of the army and
navy against the forces of the Balmaceda
Government. Detectives were at once de-
tailed to shadow Mr.. Trumbull, and at $50
o'clock last night word was conveyed to
Colonel Garter that the suspected man had
purchased an overland ticket, and was
about to depart for the East. Deputy
Marshal SPalding was at once sent to the
Oakland Ferry, but arrived too late to make
the arrest on tbiS side, and was compelled
10 apprehend the fugitive on board the boat.
He then returned with him TO the city, and
was conducted to the Office Of the United
States Commissioner, where that official, ac-
fo1ka Il Ne N,,H
Long, were in waiting The complaint
which had been made in the meantime was
then read 10 the prisoner. 1t charged him
with violation Of the neutrality law of
nations generally, and specifically with pur-
chasing arms aud munitions of war for the
Chilean insurgents.
RELEASED ON BAIL.
Charles Page of the law firm of Page &
Ellis was sent for at once by Mr.. TrumbulL
and when he arrived took charge of his case
John d. and Ad0lph Spreckels were also
summoned and went on the prisoners bond
for $500 The prisoner was then released.
Soon after his arrest Mr.. Irumbull was
seen at the Palace Hotel, in company with
his bondsmen and attorneys, and talked
quite freely in regard TO his arrest.
Il was on my way to Oakland" he said.
ITO board the overland train for the East,
when | was stopped by an officer of the
United States. / was charged with viola
ting the neutrality laws Of nations, and
was accused Of sending arms and NUM-
tiOns to Chile on a schooner called the
Robert and Minnie, name that never
saw until pointed out to me in the news
papers q few days ago. Of course l was
compelled to bow to the inevitable, and
could do nothing but 60 peaceably with the
officer. Mr.. SpreCkels kindly went on my
bond, and here ! am.
GROUNDLESs CHARGES.
"Now, in regard to the charges, l have
only to say that they are groundless. In
the first place l know nothing about the
Robe { ana Minnie, and even if l had puT-
chased arms to slip by her to the Chilean
insurgents | claim that il would not be in
violation of the laws of nations. Why?
Well, simply because the ports of Chile are
to-day open to the commerce of the world.
You will remember that Mr.. Balmaceda,
President Of Chile, so called, gave notice
of a blockade, and was Immediately in
formed by Lord Salisbury that England
would not recognize it, and, If necessary,
would send feet of war-VesselS to Chile to
see that no English ship was moleSted in
attempting to enter Chilean port AS the
navy OF Chile was already in the hands of
the reYolutiOnists Mr.. Balmaeeda could not
even attempt TO force a blockade, and we
claim that the ports Of the republic are open
to-day to ships of all nations no matter
what may be the nature OF their cRrgOes.
Arms and munitions of war, therefore, are
Just as legitimate articles of commerce as
-four or bacon, and hold that the United
States would have no right to interfere.
BATTLING FOR LIBERTY.
''The insurgents Of Chile" continued Mr..
Trumbul, with some little show of emo
tiOn, ''are battling for liberty against the
worst species Of tyranny and have the right
to expect the sympathy at least of every
lover OF justice in the civilized world. The
situation is peculiar and not yet fully un-
derstood by the world at large. Mr.. Balma-
ceda is simply a tyrant. He sought to
,1alra , hic q he nd Ciy t,Talx
VOlted Just imagine for moment if you
can a condition of affairs something like
this in the United States. Suppose that
President Harrison were TO arT0gate to HIM
self the right to name every employe Of the
Federal Government, great and small, with
out the consent and advice of the Senate,
and when the latter were t. refuse to vote
supplies for the ordinary expenses of gov
eTnment were TO be told that they would be
arrested and sent out of tine country. Sup
pose, in addition to that, he were to at
tempt 10 overawe the people with the army
and boasted that he would expend such
sums as he saw fit. What do you think
would be the result? Simply that the peo-
pie would revolt and drive him from his
seat. That is just what we are doing in
Chile to-day.
A PRICE ON HIS HEAD.
"I am a native of Chile, and the greater
part Of my life has been spent in that
country. Fof ten years, however, lived in
the OQltGQ states, QQTlug WHICH time i was
at Yale, where l graduated from the law
department Fer time subsequently served
as Secretary of the Legation at Washington
Since then have been in Chile, and was
member of the last Congress. When we
refused, almost unanimously. to vote money
for the expenses of Mr.. Balmaceda's Govern
ment he ordered us all under arrest and
bad a vessel prepared to take us out of the
country 10 a penal settlement. where we
were 10 be confined at hard labor. l have
seen the vessel and inspected the com mpart-
ments which were prepared for our recep-
tiOn. When the time came, however, the
officers aud crew came over to our side, and
those who had been arrested escaped. A
reward of 5000 was offered for my body,
dead or alive, and / was compelled TO as
sumo a disguise in order 10 escape from
Iquique. l managed to get aboard a pas
seDgef steamer, aud from there was trans
feTred to one Of the cruisers. From there /
made my way to the United States.
WILL AWAIT THE RESULT
"Shall go East now? Certainly not. I
shall remain here for the present, and await
the investigation Of the charges made
against me-"
MIR. Trumbull was then asked about the
chase Of the Itata and the possibilities Of
her being overhauled by the Charleston.
" THE latter will never Oyertake her." he
replied with emphasis. THE Itata has
1000 miles start, and can steam 10 knots an
hour. The Charleston is credited with a
speed of Is knots an hour under forced
draught. but naval officers assure me that
she cannet on long trip average more than
13. You can figure cut the chances from
hat
anna ttfno ,ronld I;ba IN odd and that