The morning call., 1891-03-25
How the Chilean Conflict is
Being Conducted
British Naval Officers Describe the A.
tack on Iquiqua.
Serious Complications Likely to Grow Out
Of the Occupation Of Peruvian Ter
ritOTy by Government Troops.


PANAMA, March 16.-H. NJ. S. Warspite
Is at Callao. Thesollowing is CLEANED from
her officers: I'VE left Iquique February
10th, subsequent to the events which led to
the capture of that port by the rebels and
the fire which caused the destruction of
property valued at 100000 1t appears
that when the rebels captured that port the
Government troops took up position some
distance from it. The rebels returned on
board ship, leaving only fifty men in charge.
The troops soon heard of this and marched
on the place, 200 strong, under Colonel
Soto. Firing commenced and the shore
fusilade led the ships to promptly open fire.
The Blanco Encalada. Esmeralda and
Huascar used their heavy guns, while the
transports kept their mitratlleuses busily
employed. Tremendous destruction fol-
lowed and the flames spread until the whole
central part of Iquique. where the best
stores and buildings are situated, was in
ruins"
COLONEL soTo's TREACHERY.
Up to the Goth, when the Warspite left
Iquique, the ruins were yet burning. The
fight which resulted in the fire was a stern
and bloody tragedy and it would have been
more prolonged had it not been for an ar
rangement reached by the chiefs of the two
parties, and under which the opposition
leaders engaged TO pay Colonel Soto $4,000
TO distribute among his men. who were then
to join the rebels. The Government troops
abandoned their arms and soon dis spersed.
Subsequently Soto was arrested and sent on
board the AmazonaS. He was accused of
having distributed only $1,000 among the
men and having retained the remain Tg
$1,000 These on board the Warspite were
also informed that Colonel Rubles had 1000
of Balmaceda's troops on the pamDas, and
1t WAS possible that they would again attack
10 uiQue in which port and its vicinity the
revolutionists stated they had 5000 men.
They were, however, short of ammunition,
but were expecting some by steamer.
TERRIFIED INHABITANTS.
IQuiQue is in an abnormal situation,
ana the inhabitants have taken refuSe on
the island where they had previously been
stationed. Plsagua has been abandoned by
the populace. The Iutendente of IQuique
sought refuge on the Warspte and su6se-
Quenty lett in the cable steamer SllvertOwn
Tor Valparaiso.
The report is confirmed of fight at San
Francisco, in which General Vidagran was
killed and the rebels defeated. In the fight
at lquique on the 18th about 200 persons
were killed. Some Of the number lost their
lives through their own imp udrnce. The
Office Of the daily newspaper, Vos de Chile,
which supported the Government, was
sacked and burned. The Wars pta gave
passage to Callao to 115 persons OF different
nalOnalltles.
A BRITISH OFFICERS GRIT.
The French steamship Vile de Belfast
reports tha: 500 killed and wounded were
the outcome of the fights on Tardpaca Pam
pas.
The present revolution threatens to result
In a serious Internal onal conflict, as Peru
Wan territory has already been violated by
the ChiliJn Government troops.
Th6 report reached Panama on March 7th
that when the forces Of Valparaiso fred on
the Blanco Encalada, killing several of ifer
crew, the commanding officer solicited per-
mission from the shore authorities 10 bury
them, and the answer he received was that
he might bury them in the sea. The COM
mander OF the BlancO Encalada thereupOn
referred to tie captain of her Najesty's ship
Champion. and the latter significantly re-
piled: Request me TO bury them and |
shall do So" The request was accordingly
formally made, whereUpon the British COM
mandeT had the Chilian seamen taken
ashore under the protection of the British
flag and buried with due military hOnors in
the graves he had ordered prepared for
them.
THE PACIFIC SQUADRON.
WASHINGTON, March 24-lt is the pur-
miTal Brown, who Is in command Of the
Pacific Squadron, transfer his flag from the
Charleston TO the more suitable cruiser San
Francisco, and to dispatch that vessel to
Chile at the earliest possible day. Both
vessels are now at Mare Island, Cal, and
the San Francisco. it is expected. VIII be
ready to sail within two weeks. If there
should be need for an other vessel in Chilean
waters, the Charleston will follow the San
Francisco within a fortnight When Al
ruiral Rroyvp raaabas (fhiia ha will rnliava
Admiral Mccain, who will rejOin his flag
ship, the Pensacola.
TROOPS WITHDRAWN FROM AUTOFAGASTA.
NEW YORK. March pa firm in this
city received this morning dispatch from
correspondent in Chile stating that the
Chilean Government in order to avoid the
bombardment and destruction of AntOfa-
Easta by the vessels Of the rebels, have with
drawn the Government troops from that
place with all the rolling stock of the Anto-
fagaSta Railroad TO Calama, the strategic
point between Antolagasta and lquique.
Letters which reached this city to-day
from Chile brought information confirming
the previously received reports of the de-
preston in business in that country. Things
commercial were at a standStiil, the writers
said, and it was feared that number of
failures must result.
RETIRED IN GOOD ORDER.
PAEIs, March 24.-The Chilean Legation
In this city announces that they have re-
ceived information to the effect that the
Government troops retired in good order
from Calama, with an abundant supply OF
munitions OF war and food
LONDON, March 24.-The condition of
affairs in Chile is becoming intnlerabe, and
the end is not far off. Both sides are re-
ported to be massacreing every prisoner
taken.
HEALT'S INJURIES.