Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-25
BARBARIANS AT WAR.
Both Armies in Chile Are Guilty of
Most Inhuman Atrocities.
NEWS OF THE NAVAL OPERATIONS.
Balmaceda's Troops Completely Routed at
Pozo Almonte.
FAMINE PRICES AT DOOMED IQUIQUE

advices from the Chilean revolution give
fragmentary details of the battle Of Pozo
Almonte, through which the province of
Torapaca. with its rich>nitrate deposits. was
lost to Balmaceda. The Government forces
were routed with the loss of all their artil-
lery and the greater number of the infantry.
The cavalry. which took no part in the COM
bat, Joined with the few infantry soldiers,
who fled toward the west, and with the
head OF the Barbosas column, which arrived
at the Pampa after the action, Immediately
retired toward Gamma. The revolutionary
army committed number of atrocities
which the commanders and officers could
not prevent. Five thousand men were en-
gagged in the Pozo Almonte affair, and
rumors state that about 900 of the Govern
mcnt force and 800 of the revolutionary
force were killed and wounded in that san
gulnary struggle.
The town of Pozo Almonte had a popula-
ton of about 1000, many of whom, includ
ing women, were slaughtered by the victors.
The rebels, after plundering liquor stores,
could not be restrained by their officers
from committing the most frightful atroci-
ties.
Both sides Equally Guilty.
. The conduct of the vanquished troops'wa
even worse 1t is stated that when the Gov
ernment forces retired from Pozo Almonte
on Gamma they shot all the prisoners they
had and destroyed all the nitrate establish
ments they passed. The number of men who
took part in the fight is estimated at 4, 900,
and nearly three-quarters OF this number
were under the orders of the Government
leaders.
As a further instance of bloodthirsty
cruelty, il is said that at $50 on the MORN
ing Of the Sd upward of 5000 workmen col
lected at the Pozo Almonte in order to pro-
coed TO 1auique and make a formal repre-
sentatlon respecting the scarcity of pro-
visions Shortly after they reached the
works the manager, William johnson, gave
them ten barrels Of biscuits and 1000 tins of
preserves, which were distributed among
them. They remained there that
night, and on the following day sent some
of their leaders on to Negriros. There more
men were to be collected. Suddenly, how
ever, train appeared loaded with Govern
ment troops under Martin Tarrain. With
out halting or parleying these troops opened
fire on the defenseless workmen, women and
children.
Workmen Shot Down by Troops.
ward and killed all the men. Meanwhile
the men from the Negriros works, with the
commissioners from Ramirez, returned TO
their houses, otherwise they might also have
fallen victims. Some who escaped from the
slaughter, took refuge in the nitrate fields,
but were subsequently followed up and
killed. After this some 800 men were ar
rested, and of this number 18 were mur-
dered.
Previous to the change of the Govern
ment headquarters from the seaport of Val
paraiso to the capital secret meetings were
held by those favorable to the revolution.
The bitter feeling felt at Valparaiso
against the Government is caused BY the
fact that ladies and young girls distribute
bulletins ayerse to the Government and in
favor of the revolution. The following mar
rative is from the pen of a newspaper cor
respondent. Santiago is the main bulwark
of the Government now:
The Imperial had not, as had been re-
ported, been captured by the revolutionary
squadron. She reached Camarones; and
there attempted to .disembark troops, but
could not do SO, owing to the prompt action
of the revolutionary party.
The Naval Side of the War.
She then returned to Antofagasta, and
running past the ironclad Esmeralda,
entered the port, but she could not land the
men there. so she ran cut again and was fol-
lowed curing IA hours by the Esmeralda,
outdistanced the latter and landed the forces
she carried in Coquimbo on the 18TH. The
Maypo was not boarded, but was captured
by the forces on board, and with her. they at
once joined the revolutionary squadron.
The revolutionary squadron left Iquique
for Valparaiso after receiving on board the
men of war and transports the whole OF the
shore forces. The object is to
attack Valparaiso. Twenty-Five men-oG-
war and transports compose the fleet. The
Balmaceda ironclads, Almirsnte Lynch,
Almirante Condelle and the Pilcomayo,
were in Valparaiso with the crews which
are principally composed of foreigners, who
had declared they would remain neutral;
but preparations were under way for naval
operations.
Provisions were recently so scarce in
Iquique that 500 was paid for can of pre-
served milk, and beef sold at $40 pound.
These prices were caused by the port being
blockaded by the rebel Chilean squadron.
The officers and crews of these vessels state
that they have sigHed a "round robin"
binding themselves not to lay down arms
until they hang President Balmaceda in the
principal square in Santiago.
Outrages in the Capital.
kilograms from Santiago say that nobody
except supporters of the dictator are safe
from insult and imprisonment; that ladies |