The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-26
FLED FROM CHILE.
Arrival of the First Refugees
From Valparaiso.
Causes of the Insurrection-The Chilean
Army and Eavy-Everything in an
Uproar and the Result in Doubt

Alfred and Frederick Lee. two brothers,
arrived in this city Friday from Valparaiso,
Chile. on the bark Guinevere, and are now
at the Commercial Hotel They are English
men by nativity, but have resided for rather
more than twenty years in the Republic of
c lille, where they were engaged in the re-
tail hardware trade. The unsafe condition
of affairs resulting from the terrible revolt
which is now in progress caused them to
quit Valparaiso. and they are the first resi-
dents of that city to arrive since the out
break of the trouble.
Said the elder brother yesterday: "The
trouble has been brewing for long time,
and various causes have combined to pre-
cipitate the rebellion. The finances have
been in a most unsatisfactory condition,
and this, combined with the fact that Presi-
dent Balmaceda, whose term of Office was
about to expire, and who insisted on en-
deavorng to force upon the country sac
cessor who was known to be his tool, has
-preefpitated the revolt. You see, the Con-
stitution of the country provides that
President cannot succeed himself, and Bal
maceda saw, or thought be saw, way to
retain power by naming his own successor.
well, of course this caused howl, and
the Congress and the navy objected to this
proceeding and threatened TO oppose any
such attempt with force. No one believed,
however, that it would eliminate seriously,
and one of the municipal officers OF the city,
OF whom | made inquiries on the day pre-
cediug the outbreak, ridlculed my fears
and smiliugly Informed me that there was
not a man in the republic who would dare
to head such an enterprise.
THE FIRST INTIMATIoN.
"That was on the 9th OF January, and on
the following night the Chilean fleet steamed
quietly out of the harbOr under cover of
night, leaving the Admiral on shore, and
taking out with them the President of the
Senate and the members of that body. The
next morning, however, the fleet advanced
boldly into the harbor, and anchoring under
the shore guns sent manifesto ashore, de-
claring against Balmaceda, and calling on
all patriotic citizens to join them in restor
ing the liberties of the country. which they
claimed had been usurped. The army re-
manned with the President, While the navy
went with the insurgents.
The former IS a peculiar affair, and. as
will be seen, not greatly to be relied upon.
Even on paper the entire standing army of
the Government numbers but 5719 nen and
397 officers. These troops are included in
eight battali0nS of infantry, one battalion
Of sappeTS and miners, three regiments OF
cavalry, two regiments OF field artillery and
one battalion of coast artillery. At the time
OF the outbreak of the present revolt these
forces were distributed as follows: In the
northern provinces, Tacna, lquique and
Antofagasta, TWO battalions, one regiment
of cavalry and one regiment Of artillery;
near the middle of the country, that is, be-
tween Valparaiso and Santiago, three bat
talions two regiments Of cavalry, two bri-
gades Of artillery and one brigade of coast
artillery; to the south. three battalions,
battalion of sappers and miners and one
regiment of cavalry. These figures, how
ever, are deceptive, as the effective strength
of the army is much less. For instance, in
1890 it was estimated at only 1905 men;
since, during the period from January 1st TO
NnEem Der lst lbs nIiXates had deserted.