Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-09-17
BALMACEDA SAFE.
He Obtains Protection on Board
the San Francisco.
ADM. BROWN OFFERS HIN REFUGE.
In the Role of a Drunken Sailor He Stag
gers Through Valparaiso and Safely
Reaches the United States
Cruiser.

New YORK, Sept ia Herald spe.
cial cablegram from Valparaiso, under
date Of September IA, says:
Balmaceda has escaped from the
clutches Of his enemies and is now safe
on the high seas under the protection
of the United States flag.
All the time the soldiers of the junta
were guarding the passes of the Andes
to prevent his getting into the Argen-
tine republic and the police of the new
provisional government were searching
the monasteries in and around Santi-
ago for the fugitive ex-president
he was in hiding in this city.
Here he was more apt to escape
detection than anywhere else, for his
opponents never dreamed that he
would dare 10 return to Valparaiso,
they being assured he had fed from it.
Balmaceda chose his refuge wisely,
for he was enabled throw himself up
on the mercy of Adm. Brown, of the
flagship San Francisco, and beg to be
saved from the revenge he feared from
his foes.
Adm Brown did what all the other
foreign admirals would have done
under similar circumstances. He
stepped In to save possibly human
life. In the name of humanity he
consented to afford Balmaceda the
shelter of his ship and the protection OF
the stars and stripes.
To effect the ex-president's escape it
was necessary to have Balmaceda dis
guise himself as a drunken United
States sailor. The clothing was sent
ashore in a market boat last night by
order of Adm. Brown. 1t was Struggled
by one of Balmaceda's faithful adher-
ents into the house where the ex-presi-
dent was hiding. He carefully donned
1t and after a close inspection Of his
new and strange attire to see that there
was nothing about his get-up which
would arouse suspicion, he stole by
rear entrance into the street. Nightfan
favored his disguise and he had studied
his part so well that he feigned a
drunken tar to perfection. On his way
to the water front he rolled by many
man who would have been delighted to
have had the chance to seize and turn
him over to the police authorities.
In time he reached the spot in the
harbor that had been arranged upon.
There he found boat awaiting him. 1t
was manned by sturdy United States
man of war men. Balmaceda, still
maintaining his disguise, made his final
drunken stumble and fell into the boat.
It pushed off at once and in a short
time the ex-president, all signs Of In
ebriety at an end, clambered swiftly up
the ropes and was saved. He went at
once to one of the cabins aft of the San
Francisco and did not again show him.
self above deck That part of the YES
sci was reserved solely for its prominent
guest. Nobody was allowed to visit his
cabin.
The officers of the San Francisco
were questioned about the matter but
refused to discuss It The San Fran
cisco left Valparaiso this evening for
Callao Thence it will san for Cali, |
fornia Balmaceda may elect to land
ut Callao, where many Of his leading |
partissns have already been taken by |
foreign ships, on board which they
sought refuge after the fall of Val
paraiso.
Adm. Browns action will un.
for time at least increase
he bitter feeling here towards the
United States government although
The admirals of the other foreign yes
'els have taken prominent Balmaee-
lists aboard