The morning call., 1891-05-09
r. L. TRUMBULL.
A Talk With the Agent of the
Chilean Insurgents.
What He Thinks of Ralmaceda and His Sup
porters-He Is Here in the Interests
Of the Insurgents.

Senor R. l.. Trumbull, about whom so
much has been written lately in connection
with Chilean affairs, was seen by CALL re-
porter at an early hour this morning at his
room in the Palace. Mr. Trumbull is
handsome man OF spare build. - years of age
aud is a lawyer by profession. His home
is at Santiago, Chile. He was a student at
Yale College, and graduated from there in
1881. His father is a physician al Santiago
and was for many years American Consul
there.
In answer TO the reporters queries, Mr.,
1rumbull said:
Il am a Chilean and member of the Con-
gressional party, which is the party that is
to-day fighting against the dictatorship Of
Senor Balmaceda, who forced this revolu-
ton upon a peaceful people in order to
carry ont his schemes for the enrichment of
himself aud his friends. All the intelligent
and wealthy people favor the Congressional
party, wAiehis the party that sustains the
constitution.
"Mr. Balmaceda, not satisfied with the al
most omnipotent power possessed by the
President of Chile, desired to become die
tator, in order to name Senor Enrique Sau-
fuentos as his successor.
The present Congress was endeavoring to
secure local self-gOyernment and fair elec-
tions, and the dictator opposed it.
'The only check that Congress possesses Is
their hold on the purSe-strings.
'On the 1st Of January last Balmaceda
proclaimed himself Dictator, declaring that
he would govern in spite of the constitution
and spend any money even if not author
lied by Congress.
Against this assumption of arbitrary
power the people rey0lted, as any liberty
loving people would do.
since the breaking out of the revolution
the Congressional party, although lahoring
under great disadvantages, has met with
constant success aud is now In possession
Of eight provinces. 1t has lately established
provisional government.
"Ihey are bound to succeed, as all the
wealth aud intelligence of The country sup
port Congress, while Balmaceda's support
is obtained by offers Of money. There is not
a respectable man in Chile who supports
Balmaceda.
his support in the army has been OBJ
tanned by payment Of money. There is no
outrage that has been left uncommitted by
the Dictator. Murder, cOnfScatiOn of prop
eTty and Imprisonment are the means by
which he maintains himself. Chile had en-
Ioyed almost uninterrupted peace for fifty
years and the people were wholly unprepared
Tor revolution. Balmaceda took advantage
Of this and forced a revolution, thinking he
could crush 1t, but he was mistaken, and
viii certainly be crushed by the efforts of
patriotic people who are fighting for their
liberties. 1t is the party Of order against
mob violence, the honest men against the
thieves and ScoundreiS, and there is no
question as to who viii succeed"
What can YOU say in regard TO the ship
ment Of arms by the Robert and Minnie?"
" had nothing TO do with such ship
ment."
What can you tell me about the steamer
Itata?''
Nothing more than has been said by the
papers. She came here for coal and pr0vis-
ions. as l understand, and was seized by the
United States authorities"
did she not violate the neutrality laws"
Il do not believe she did, bat Of course
that is point regarding which only the
American courts can decide"
What truth is there In the rumor that
Flint d Co. are aiding the Government,
while Grace q Co. were aiding the Revolu-
tionists?"
II believe that both houses have aided the
Dictator. Hunt d Co. have come out de.
cidedly for the Dictator, while Grace 4 Co.,
simply because they have many interests In
Chile, wish to be considered neutral"
81 know that any man in this great country
of freedom Is at liberty to take sides with
the party that pleases him most or whose
support he considers most conducive 10 his
commercial success, but | am so much of
an American that hate to see any Ameri-
can supporting the party of tyranny against
the party OF liberty because he considers
that his sordid interest is favored thereby"
"a Washington report says that you are
the Chilean agent Of Grace e. Co."
THAT is all nonsense. L am not their agent
and have never been. / am not a business
man, and do not think they would have any
use for me-"
''The late Viee-Consul of Chile, Senior Sc
gundo Casanueya, has published letter in
this mornings CALI in which he claims
that you should be arrested for unlawful
acts against friendly nation. Have you
anything TO say to this ?''
II know nothing about this gentlemen
"Can you tell me anything about your
future CovementS?"
. think you better ask either Messrs.
Grace & Co. or the Chilean Consul. who /
understand have had me shadowed by de-
teCtiVeS"
There are some rumors you are to be ar
rested?"
Il know nothing of them, but they p-oba-
bly, emanate from the reuorts cf the Dieta-
tors agents, and are as reliable as everything
. d tasa fro, hat