Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-28
sKIRMIsHING AT VALPARAISO.


sKIRMIsHING AT VALPARAISO.
The Hostile Armies Still Confront Each Other
on the CHILEAN Hills.
A New York Herald special dispatch from Val.
paraiso, dated yesterday, says:
Another day has passed and still there has
been no decisive battle about Valparaiso. The
active operations. SO far as fighting il con-
cerned, have been confined to sharp but I'M
important skirmishes between scouting parties
Of the insurrectionists and Balmaceda's
cavalry. While neither army has as yet seen
at to make an attack the tension is too great to
last many hours. Gen. Canto, commanding
the congressional army, with Coils. Holley and
Kornner as his chiefs Of staff, has devoted
much time in strengthening his position on the
hills above the race track at vina del Mar.
HARRYrNa TIE COUNTRY.
The country between that and Quillota is
practically in his power, and such cavalry as
he has is kept constantly on the move through
that territory, bringing in supplies for the
army, drumming up recruits wherever possible
and harrying the possessions Of the more prom
inent OF the governmentsupporters which hap
pened to be in the radius Of their activity.
The railroad between Santiago and Valpa-
and one of Canto's regiments is strongly in
trenched on the road to Santiago, completely
controlling it.
FEARS FOR THE CAPITAL
The fact that the telegraph lines have been
cut and other movements which have been
made by the insurgents have, it is thought, led
President Balmaceda to the conclusion that
perhaps the capital has been left with insult
cient protection and that Gen. Canto might
l,x AL L.. L.. g. s&aAlf
rather than risk an attack on the strong de-
fenses at Valparaiso.
Hence division of 9 800 soldiers we're placed
on board the transport Imperiale and sent to
Talcahuano, on Conception bay. a couple Of
hundred miles south of here. where they could
be quickly hurried by rail to Santiago and re-
inforce the weakened garrison there to degree
which would make it impossible for a sudden
raid to be successful, should Gen. Canto at
temptit
ELUDED THE REBEL CRUISERS.
The Imperiale succeeded in eluding the vigi-
lance of the insurgent war ships and made a
quick passage to Talcahuano, where the troops
we're landed; and that are now probably in San
tiago to assist President-elect Vicuna in case Of
necessity.
President Balmaceda still has command Of
the forces about Valparaiso in person. He has
as his chiefs Of staff Gens. Alzerreca and Bar
bosa, both able and experienced soldiers.
They have made an almost impregnab,e line
Of defense about this city, reaching from Fina
del Mar to Placilla. Batteries of heavy guns
have been placed in advantageous positions all
along the lines, and they are supported by vet
eran soldiers.
vIcUNAs HACIENDA BURNED.
Word was received here today that raiding
party from the opposition army set fire to the
hacienda OF President-eIect Vicuna, situated
about thirty miles from Valparaiso, yesterday.
All the buildings were destroyed and the stores
and supplies were taken away. 1t is impossi-
BILE to learn what other property has been de-
stroyed by the raiders.
The rebel cruisers Esmeralda and o Higgins
have been steaming about off the entrance to
the bay all day today, but they have shown no
disposition to come inside and risk an attack
from the torpedo boats Condell and Lynch or
it has come to be the general idea now that
Valparaiso will not be bombarded. Leading
insurgents havo too great property interest
here.
PRISONERS CARED FOR.
Quite a number Of prisoners have been cap
tured by the government. troops in the field
since the appearance Of the invaders at Vina
del Mar, and the bonded warehouses; in the city
have been cleared out and are used as places OF
confinement for these prisoners. Temporary
hospitals have been established for the care Of
while from the numerous skirmishes of the last
few days
Such Of the insurgents as left the regular
army at the start of the rebellion are armed
with the small-bore Mannlicher rifles and the
ammunition is prepared with smokeless powd sr.
This is the first time this style of arm has been
used in actual warfare, and the surgeons of the
foreign war vessels in port have been deeply in
terested in its effect.
EFFECr OF THE MANNLICHEa RIFLES
Many of them have volunteered their services
in helping to care for the wounded They
have no difficulty in determining the wounds
made by the Mannlicher rifles on account of
the smallness of the bullets, the guns being
.3l5 caliber.
In every case they have found that the pro-
jectiles from the rifles make a clean wound and
that they have great penetration. 1t is said
that in many cases men In the rear ranks have
been wounded and killed by the same bullet
which had gone through the men in front of
them.
The uncertainty as to what the next step will
be is causing painful intensity of feeling here.
1t was generally believed that Balmaceda would
make a forward movement today, and 1t is now
believed that some active fighting will be done
before the sun sets tomorrow night
ONLY THE COMMANDERS KNOW.
Only the president and Gems Alzerreca and
Barbosa on the one hand, or Gen. Canto and
his chiefs of staff on the other, have any actual
knowledge of what the next step will be, how
ever.
There is a rumor current today that the
troops from Coquimbo and Santiago are
marching toward Valparaiso with the idea of
completely surrounding Gen. Cants and COM
polling his surrender. 1t is only rumor, how
ever and so far as / can learn has no official
source.