The morning call., 1891-05-09
Story Of Two Chilean EaTinGS Who De-
serted The Ship at San Diego.
Government Officials Are Undecided HoY 10
Proceed in the Matter Of EfeCtins
Her RCCaptuTe.
Epeeial to TIE MORNING CALI

gard to the exciting occurrences OF the past
week, rounds out and makes complete
most interesting narrative. These deSer-
ters have been keeping under cover since
leaving the ship, because of an illv-defned
fear that they may yet be retaken and pun
ished, aud it was only with the greatest
difficulty that they were finally corneTed
this afternoon on the water front.
A DESPERATE VENTURE.
Being assured, through an interpreter
that their whereabouts in the city would be
kept secret. they told their story without
restraint. The Esmeralda, one of the finest
war-ships in the Chilean Navy, which, in
common with every other man-of-war be-
longing to that republic, is now in the hands
Of the Congress party or insurgents, left
Iqui que early in April to convey the South
American COmpany'S steamer Itata to the
nearest American port fer the purpose Of
buying provisions, as well as to get arms
which had already Leen purchased by an
agent of the insurgents in New York and
shipped to San Francisco. 10 be placed on
some coasting vessel and transferred to the
Itata at some rendezvous to be arranged
later.
PREPARED TO FIGHT
The transport and man-of-war sailed
Dorthward in company as far as Cape San
Lucas. where it being deemed unwise for
fhe man-of-war to proceed further the trans
fer was made Of a large portion Of the crew
OF the EsmeTalda to the hold of the Itata,
With tbeir cutlasSes and muSkets and after
the captain of the war-ship had himself
gone aboard the Itata the vessels parted, 1t
being understood that the Esmeralda would
wait off San Lucas for the return of the
transport.
One Of the deseTters who gave these facts
was one OF the marines who lay hidden in
the hold OF the Itata, but after spending
about week in those stufy quarters deemed
life ashore preferable to bis eramped posi-
ton On board, and jumping overheard Tues
day night when everything was quiet, he
swan to North Island and came over to the
city. After the transfer at Cape San Lucas
the Chlleaus who were slowed away In the
inner recesses Of the Itata knew very little
Of what was occurring. They did know,
however, that they were prepared to take
part In any fight that might come along 1t
was an open secret on board that they were
TO meet the Robert and Minnie somewhere
OF this port, but just where they we're not
informed
SHORT OF PROVISIONS.
aboard. they acted under his orders. He
told them that they would 60 back on board
their own ship al Cape San Lucas, where
she was waiting Tor them, and then set sail
Tor Chile. Before leaving the man-of-war
fattOns were becoming pretty short; in fact
none Of the marines on the battl5-ships at
the front had any too much to eat and the
supplies which the Itata had purchased
here were to be distributed around as far as
they would 90.
When asked if the Esmeralda might not
have come north after the ltata LETT her the
Chilean said that it was altogether probable
that she had, as the transport had not eT-
pected TO remain here as long as she did and
the officers Of the WaT-ship probably feared
that she had got into some trouble. One of
the men got ashore by slipping on TO a coal
barge that was lying alongside the Itata.
The deserteTs are more intelligent than the
average Chilean seen IN these parts, and
gave as the reason for leaving the Itata that
they wanted TO see more Of the northern
country. They had no cause to complain OF
the treatment they received, either on board
the ESmeralda or Itata. They we're paid
$40 per month; were well fed aud we'll
cared for, and deserted only because they
'Iiked this country better than Chile"
Marshal Gard and his assistant will re-
turn to Los Angeles tomorrow, unless
ordered otherwise. The man-Of-War Omaha
Is Coalpg up in the stream and Will sail for
San Fransisco as soon as supplied.
Az OFFICIAL SECRET.
WASHINGTON, May s.-The policy of the
Government with respect to the escaped
Chilean vessel ltata is still an official secret.
Secretary Tracy and other officials this
morning refused to discuss the matter.
There can be no doubt of the fact that the
Government is extremely anxious to exhibit
all possible zeal in an effort to recapture the
vessel, in order to avoid any unpleasant
consequences that might arise through the
nrHcHnf4flnn of a claim for dam in he
half Of the Chilean Government, but naval
officers are very skeptical Of the ability Of
our ships 10 recaptuTe the ltata under the
circumstances attendi ng her fight.
NO ORDERS TO THE CHARLESTON.
1t is not possible to get a definite or au-
thOTitative answer to the question whether
the Charleston will be sent after the Itata.
All he information vouchsafed Is that the
Charleston was ordered weeks ago to coal
and get ready for sea at the earliest mo-
ment. Tn G fOTlnalites attending the Pres
ident's reception at San Francisco neces-
-saTily delayed these preparations, but it is
understood they are now actively under
way. Single-handed even the Charleston
would have great difficulty in catching the
4taJa. Ihe latter vessel may be 800 miles
ahead of the Charleston when the latter
starts on the chase, and the variation Of
point or two in the compass in the steering
course would soon separate the two vessels
by many leagues, so the Charleston might
pass the ltata without knowing it.
AN IMPROBABLE STORY.
On this account it is probable, if The Navy
Department Is really satisfied Of It's right 10
seize the Chilean vessel on the high seas and
is determined to do so, it must rely largely
on United States vessels in the South. So
far, ii is said, no move has been made in
that direction, but the department may at
any moment cable Admiral McCann, who is
on the Chilean coast with the Pensacola and
Baltimore, and to Admiral Brown, who is
on the San Francisco somewhere off Peru,
TO eDdeayor 10 lead off the runaway
The San Francisco story that the Balma-
eeda armed transport Imperiaie is hover
ing OF the coast OF California to capture
the Itata is said at the Navy Department to
be without foundation, for Admiral Me
Cann's last report showed that one month
ago the ImpeTlale was shut up In ' alpa-
TaisO HaTbor by the insurgent feet, and 1t
would be manifeStly impossible for her to
have reached California IN a month.
A DELICATE POINT.
The question Of the right Of the United
States 10 take the Itata on the high seas is not
altogether settled. The State Department
people are inclined TO doubt the right. The
whole question arises from dispute as to the
character Of the vessel Were she a pirate
OF vessel Of American register engaged in
acts OF violation Of treaty stipulations the
case would be simple one; but she is
merely a Chilean vessel engaged in the
transportation of a suspected cargo and
there is grave risk involved.
Dispatches from Chile to-day throw a
peculiar side-light on the war, being to the
effect that President Bamaceda has di-
Tected that payments of revenue and other
dues to the Government must be mace in
silver. naval officer to-day pointed out
the fact that this means a good deal and
might indicate a certain amount of shrewd
precantion on the part Of Bamaceda,
who is, likely as not, preparing to abdieate'
Such an act will, of course, end the war in
favor of the insurgents.
OPPOSITE VIEWS.
In the matter of International law In
yolyed it would seem as though the State
Department is not ia entire accord with the