The morning call., 1891-09-20
BALMACEDA
SHOOTS HIMSELF.
Commits Suicide in the Ar6en-
tine Legation at Santiago.
Unable to Effect His Escape he Becomes
DeSpOndent Great Excitement
Caused by His Death,
Special to THE MoRS1Ss CALI

VALPARAISO, Sept. 19.-Ex-President
Balmaceda of Chile shot himself through
the temple in his room at the Argentine
Legation in Santiago at $3.50 o'clock
to-day. The story became known
here this afternoon, and created the
greatest excitement. Every part of the city
this evening is brilliantly Illuminated, and
on every hand is heard the sounds of re-
ioicing.
Later accounts from the capital confirm
the sensational news and give the details of
lis suicide. 1t now seems that Bal
maceda left Santiago on August 18th
last, In the hope of making his
escape FROM Chile, but seeing that every
avenue of retreat was cut off. he returned
there on September %, and went direct TO
the Argentine Legation. His intention had
been to 20 on board the vessel CondelL
which he expected to find lying in San
Antonio Bay. Upon arriving there, how
ever, he discovered to his chagrin that
the torpedo-boat had sailed. Since his
return to the Argentine Legation,
IN Santiago, Balmaceda has been
in ar extrtmely nervous condition. No
one, with the exception of the Minister of
the Argentine Republic and one other man
who was devoted to the unfortunate ex-
Presidents cause, was permitted to talk to
or even see him. All the different schemes
of fight were considered by the hunted ex-
President.
Balmaceda and Senior Urribuuia went to
bed at midnight. Sonora Urribunia, about
O'clock this morning. heard a pistol shot
in the bedroom that had been assigned to
Balmaceda. She notified her husband.
Before he went to Balmaceda's room he
ran around to the honse of Carlos Walker
Martinez and brought that gentleman back
to the legation. Upon breaking in the door
of Balmaceda's room it was found that he
bhad shot himself The body was still warm.
There was a gaping wound In the temple.
The body was undressed and lay on the bed.
His revolver was still held in his right
hand.
Gradually the news spread all over Santi-
ago. The excitement it created is inde-
scribable Great crowds of terribly ex-
cited people gathered all around the Argen-
tine Legation. They cheered and hooted,
and went into frenzy over the death Of their
chief enemy.
Above all dlscordant shouts were heard
cries congratulating the unfortunate Bal
maceda that in taking his own life he had
escaped worse fate.
Balmaceda left letter to his mother,
and also a statement to the Herald, in
which he says: "I acted all during the
past eight months with the firm
conviction that I was right. l had
no one in my army in whom
l could place any trust. My Generals were
false to me. They lied all through the war.
Had my orders been obeyed 1 believe that
the battle of Concon would have resulted in
decisive victory against the enemy. My
heart all through this trouble has
been with Chile. 1 sought to rescue
my country from foreign domination.
Minister Patrick Egan many times offered
me good advice. he urged me to make
peace with those opposed to me and
to retire from Chile l did not heed his
wise advice, for thought that he was under
the influence of the Junta's orders, who
were then refugees in the American Lega-
ton. All through the trouble my closest
advisers were always opposed to any over
lures for peace" Another letter was found
addressed to Sonora Urriburia. In 1t Bal
maceda says: "When l saw the persecution
directed against me by persons who had
supported my administration came to the
conclusion that the only way to put an end
to this persecution WAS to take my life as l
was the res ponsibe one. Adios, adios. my
good friend Give my farewell to my wife
and children"