The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-05-12
PERHAPS TO BATTLE.
Cruiser Charleston Speeding South Af'
ter the Runaway Itata.
The Insurgents War Ship Esmeralda
is Lurking About
And it is Believed the Charleston Will
Fight if Necessary.

SAN FRANCISCO. Cal. May 1.-THE fact
Is no longer concealed even in official naval
circles that the swift cruiser Charleston is
now on hot chase after the Gillian trans
port Itata, which left San Diego last We'd
nesday. The Chilian cruiser Esmeralda is
believed to be lying off Cape San Lucas, the
southernmost point of land on Lower Cali
fornia, awaiting the supplies carried by the
Itata. The sea run to that point is about
700 miles. The Itata being heavily loaded,
although she is reported fast craft, it is es-
timated that she cannot exceed six or eight
knots. The Charleston, which left San Pc
dro this morning, it Is thought certain, can
overtake her or reach San Lucas In advance
of the transport. If not found there the
Charleston will proceed direct to Acapulco,
which Will be the first point at which any
further intelligence can be received. Even,
though the cruiser Esmeralda is met as the
convoy of the ltata, it is understood that the
orders to the Charleston are explicit on the
point of CAPTURE and, If the Itata is sighted,
1t is believed certain there will be a capture
or fight, or both.
The fact that the Chilian cruiser accom-
panied the ltata north was first ascertained
through deserters from the Itata, who es-
capped from that steamer at San Diego. 1t is
definitely known that the Esmeralda is now
ota
which fact the navy department at Washing
ton was probably fully advised when the or
ders were issued to the Charleston. The ef-
fort to keep the destination of the Charles
ton secret was natural as the representa-
tives of the Chilian insurgents would be
prompt to advise the Esmeralda of the in.en-
tion of the American government to seize
the Itata. 1t is now deemed probable that
the Esmeralda will cruise north toward San
Lucas In the hope of meeting the Itata be-
fn hn h0r nor no nd fnAf
the cargo and crew from seizure If possible.
On board the Itata was the commander of
the Esmeralda and large portion of her
crew. and, presumably, portion of the Es-
meralda's secondary battery. There is
therefore. strong incentive on the part of
the Chilian warship to meet the Itata and
prevent her being conveyed back to Ameri-
can waters.
That there is very strong likelihood of
meeting of the two evenly matched war
ships under conditions that will require fine
management to prevent fight, is thorough
ly recognized by naval men on this coast.
The orders to Capt. Remey of the Charles
ton are understood to be binding in the mat
ter of the recapture of the ltata If she is
sighted. 1t is believed the Esmeralda will
fight il she can reach the scene in time. The
Charleston and Esmeralda are ships alike as
to general plan, and possess nearly the same
armament. The Esmeralda has two pivot
guns of 10-inch calibre, with weight
Vi 20 tOUS each. lub mas Two
eight-inch rifles, fore and aft, weighing 121
tons.EApart from these guns. the ornaments
of the two ships are practically the same.
The Charleston is the swiftest ship aud
while never in action has a splendid crew
and fighting commander. The Charleston
left San Pedro shortly after this morning
and sighted 10 miles off Point Iona, having
made 90.mile run in six hours, at 15-knOt
gait. Additional orders were awaiting her
at SaneDiego, but she kept on her southwark
course.
Owing to the absence of telegraph service
with Mexico, nothing further is likely to be
heard of the Charleston until Thursday or
Friday.
The schooner Robert and Minnie's offense
appears to that she carried arms knowingly
to aid the Insurgents against the recognized
government of friendly power. The case
is not at all like that of the Alabama, as the
schooner did not load with arms with the
knowledge of the United States government.
1t Is given out that the loading of the
steamer MOntseratt at this port for Chill
will be surrounded with the greatest posi-
BILE vigilance. The vessel has been chartered
by w. r. Grace 81 Co. to carry an exclusive
grain cargo to Chilli. 1t has been said the
Chilian government has employed detec-
tive. The customs officers will closely watch
the process of loading. 1t has been arrang
ed to have the wharf where she will load il
Illuminated at night by electric lights.
Advices from Chilli say that President Bal
maceda is acting now only on the defensive.