The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-06-06
OFFICIAL INFORMATION RECEIVED
The Navy Department Informed of the
Peaceful Surrender OF the Itata.


Peaceful Surrender OF the Itata.
WAsHINGToN, June THE navy de-
partment received official information to-
night of the peaceful surrender of the
Chilian insurgent steamer Itata at Iqui-
que today. This information was con
tanned in dispatch from Acting Rear
Admiral McCann, received by Secretary
Tracy several hours after the regular
closing of the department. The dispatch
came in cipher and it took about three
hours to translate it, and even then there
were several instances in which its con
tents had not been fully interpreted. In
effect the dispatch stated that the Itata
had arrived at lquiquc from Tocapilk
last night and was placed at the disposi-
tion Of Admiral McCann this morning.
She had ON board. the dispatch says,
1000 rifles and also the ammunition
taken from the schooner Robert and
Minnie off the port of San Diego, Cal.
Size had 20 other munitions of war
than those belonging to the
ship and had transferred nothing
to the t,mcralda with whom she com
municatcd off Acapulco Mexico. After
communicating with this msurgcnt
cruiser she went to Tcropilla. Admiral
Mccain saws the Charleston arrived to-
day and the i'cnsicOla was expected he
fore tomorrow. The ltata will be deliver
cd to the United States court 1t San
Diego and proceedings against her for
violations Of the law will be resumed at
the point whore they were interrupted by
the unlawful departure of the steamer
and the responsible parties will. if they
appear also be called upon to answer the
additional charge Of contempt of court
in running away while under injunction.
Secretary Tracy gave to the Press re
porter tonight the chain of circumstances
that had led up to the surrender to
United States Of the ltata today. The
secretary said the desire for the sur
render came from the leaders Of the in
surgcnt party at Iquique.
Shortly after the vessel had finally es
capped from the custody of the marshal
at San Diego the government was in
formed by these leaders that they disap-
proved the action of the officers of the
vessel and offered, through Admiral Nc
Cam, to peacefully surrender her as
soon as she arrived in Chilan waters
These offers were then communicated to
the department at Washington and in
due time were accepted by this govern
mrnt without, however, implying any
recognition on the part of the United
States of the insurgents as bclligerents
The proposition for peaceful surrender
was pending at the time the Charleston,
which was in pursuit of the
Itata, was stopping at Acapulco
rcplcnishing her diminished coal supply
As soon as this Office was accostcd Il tel
cgram authorizing him to cease the
chase was sent to Capt. Rcmy Of the
Charleston. but he had already sailed
/ when the telegram reached Acapulco.
| The fact of the acceptance of oilers Ia
surrender the ltata on her arrival in
| ChiIian waters was therefore prepared
| to receive the Itata ON her arrival.
Secretary Tracy said the Itata would
he sent up the coast to San Diego to
answer the charges against her in court.
This ends the remarkable naval chase
judicial proceedings will toe watched
| with interest, ana as important questions
| Of international law may be brought for
| ward if the owners of the Itata insist on
| full legal determination Of all matters
they may bring up it is likely the case
| will be celebrated one and a precedent
| that will be among the first looked NJ
hereafter should cases arise to which
questions settled in this will be appli
! cable.