The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-07

Warspite returned 70 port on SUNDAY, having
left Coquimbo three weeks previous. Her OFF,
GERS pronounce the report OF the bombardment
OF IquiQue as much exaggerated. Only two
blocks were destroyed, and the deaths num-
bered less than 20, including no women or
children At Caldera bay, where the Blanca was
sunk, the Warspite witnessed the engagement OF
the congressional merchant ship AconcaguA and
the government torpedo cruisers. The merchant
ship had only one gun, but defended herself
calamity for an hour, keeping her two assail-
ants on until the Wasptte hove in sight She
was taken for the Esmerslda by the gunbosts,
which left at once. The Warspite reports that
the people of Chile have grown tired of fight
ing. and il 10 likely that six months more win
see the last of the revolution. Every day makes
more certain the ultimate success of the con-
gressional party. The Wsspite goes in the dock
on the 18th
Los ANGELES, July 6-Judge Ross, o, the
United States circuit court, today dismissed the
libel of the schooner Robert and Minnie, seized
in connection with the itata episode The
schooner was loaded AZ San Francisco with arms
and ammunition for the Chilean insurgents,
which were transferred at San Clemen,e TO the
steamer Itata, and were taken to Iquiaue, where
they were turned over to the United States
cruiser Charleston, which arrived at San Diego
Saturday with the Itata- Judge Ross, in his de-
cision, says that while the facts alleged may be
good reason for confscating the steamer Itata.
there is nothing TO show that the schooner was
fitted out for the purposes of war, and therefore
the libel was dismissed.
Commander Miguel Tejada, of the steamer
Itata, today officially notified the federal au-
thorities that through the agency OF Admiral
Mccain, q. s. ", he had returned to be tried
for leaving the port of san Diego on May with
out necessary permission.
WASHINGTON CITY, July 6.-The secretary of
the navy has received q brief telegram from
acknowledgements Todd, announcing the
arrival OF the Itata at San Diego, but giving no
details OF the voyage from Chile No orders
have been given yet as to the disposition of the
vessel, bul she viii probably be turned over to
the local authorities to the officers OF the San
Diego court from whose custody she escaped,
and the case will be settled in legal tribunals
The purpose of the navy department in order
ing Acting Rear-Admiral Mccain from Chile to
the United States, instead of returning him to
the command of the South Atlantic station con-
hnues to be matter of no little speculation
among naval people. The statement, made Of
hcially, that he is coming here simply to await
the completion of repairs to the Pensacola be-
fore returning to the South Atlantic sta
ton, can hardly be accepted as the true reason,
when it is remembered that the Pensacola ia
beyond repair. 1t is rather strange too, that
Admiral Mccain should be ordered to New
York and the Pensacola to San Francisco If
there were any intention of sending him back
in her to command the South Atlantic station
There is no doubt that his return has something
to do with Chilean affairs, and it is equally true
that he will not return to command
the South Atlantic station for some
time to come, if at all. No one
suspects that his administration OF affairs in
in Chile has not been satisfactory, for he is
generally regarded as one of the ablest officers
in the service, especially well equipped for such
a delicate mission as he is now returning from
His views on Chilean affairs are evidently
wanted, but for just what purpose is uncertain
In view of his early retirement, it Is considered
doubtful whether Admiral Mccain
will be sent back to the South
Atlantic station. The orders directing
him to return home did not detach him
from the command of the squadron
but as he cannot return until he gets new flag
ship, and as it will be autumn before the New
ark can be taken away from the evolution
squadron for that purpose, he would hardly
reach the headquarters OF his station at Monte
yideo before he would have to return home for
retirement. There ia q strong impression that
Rear Admiral Benham, recently detached from
Mare Island, will soon be ordered to the COM
mand of the South Atlantic station.