Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-09
THAT SAUCY ITATA
international Questions Raised
by Her Disappearance.
THE VESSEL A MARITIME OUTLAW.

Speculation ~ to Whether Uncle Sam
Will Send Cruiser After Her--The
Navy ohieials Keep Very Mum and the
Charleston Shows No Signs of Going to
Sea-some Slight Prospect That One of
Our New Warships May Have Chance
to show Her Mettle.
WASHINGTON CITY. May 9-Navy de-
partment officials were extremely reticent
yesterday about the governments action
in regard to the escaped Gillian steamer
Itata. No information is obtainable at
the department as to whether the cruiser
Charleston, now at San Francisco, will be
sent in pursuit of the Itata Private bust
ness firms having connections and COM
mercial interests in Chilli are as anxious
as newspaper men to learn the facts in
the case, but have met with no better sue
cess The intentions Of the navy depart
ment are kept profoundly secret for the
reason that any inkling would be prompt
ly communicated to one or both parties
in Chilli through private firms in this
country.
Supposed Intentions of Uncle Sam.
Thus, by placing the Chiliau govern
ment upon their guard, they would posi-.
bly, be able 20 intercept and capture the
Itata, or, on the other hand, the insur-
gents might arrange to meet her, and by
relieving her OF her cargo, obtain possess
sion of the munitions of war she has on
board. la either event the purpose of the
department to capture the vessel and
cago would be defeated 1t is believed.
however, that the Charleston will be sent
in pursuit of the Itata, and that the San
Francisco and Baltimore, both of which
are now in Gillian waters, will be ordered
northward 20 intercept the runaway YES
sell
Would Re a Doubtful Chase.
It : not possible to get definite
authoritative answer TO the question:
Will the Charleston be sent after the
Itata? But if she were sent on that mis-.
sion It would be doubtful if she coul d
catch the itata The latter vessel may be
1000 miles ahead Of the Charleston when
the latter starts on the chase, and vara.
ton OF point or two of the compass in
steering the course would soon separate
the two vessels by many leagues, so that
the Charleston might pass the Itata with
out knowing it, The department NAV at
any moment cable to Admiral Mccain,
who is on the CHILEAN coast with the
Baltimore, and TO Admiral Brown, who is
"a ba40 s-Au EduCiSCp, somewhere OH
Peru, to endeavor to head off the run
away.
Es4a When and IF They Capture Her.
II the Itata is captured this government
wiz have a knotty question TO tackle
Just what can be done with the vesse l.
and the extent to which she has violated
the laws are questions that the officials
here decline to express an opinion upon As
the Itata had been sliced by the United
States at San Diego, she was technically
United States property until discharged,
and is therefore liable to recapture on the
high seas by a United States man of war;
or to confscation if she ever enters a
United States port
One of the Questions Involvad. e.
So far as is known there is no charge OF
piracy against either the Itata or the Rob.
ert and Minnie. They are charged with
violation o. the neutrality laws, which
forbid the fitting out in the United States
OF vessels to war upon a country with
which the United States is at peace In
cidentally the legal determination of the
force OF this charge involves the question
as to whether the Gillian insurgents are
to be recognized by the United States (ls
they have been in Great Brittany as bellig
erents.
Uncle Sans Rights in the Case.
The right Of the United States to cap
ture the Itata on the high seas or in United
States or Cnilian waters is undoubted
The vessel flies the flag of Chilli. and is
subject to the only recognized authority
in that country, namely the government
of which President Balmaceda is the
head The insurgents are not even recog-
nized us belligereuts. The Itata, having
entered a United States port, fell under
suspicion of being there to secure sup
plies, arms, and ammunition, and the
Gillian minister at Washington City
asked for her detention. Accordingly. a
United States marshal was put on board,
and her captain was arrested.
The Itata Practically an Outlaw.
The captain was allowed to return o
his ship, and be at once went to sea. The
Itata is therefore now at sea in defiance OF
the authority of both Chill and the
United States She has no clearance pa
pers, and is practically an outlaw. Any
nation can capture her. II she made any
resistance she would be pirate. If she
entered port and the United States or
Chill demanded her surrender from the
government of the country to which the
port belonged, that government would
surrender her.
In the Words of Patrick Henry.
1t is likely that the Baltimore or the
San Francisco will have the duty of cap
turing theItata If she reaches The pro-
lection of insurgent men of war, it will
be the duty of Admiral Mccain to take
her, peaceably If he can; forcibly, if he
mnst. Hence, in the language of Patrick
Henry, "the next gale that sweeps from
the south may bring to our ears the clash
of resembling arms Our new navy may
be put TO the test Of action at an early
cay 3
SITUATION AT SAN FRANCISCO.