The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-06
THE ITATA A PRIZE.
Surrendered to United States
With All Her Cargo.
IQUiQuE l'oNlzEs HER CAPTAIN.
The Fugitive VIII BE Returned to San
tempt of Court in Running Away.

lie II
Heraid's correspondent at Iquique. Chile,
sends the following: The Itata incident is
practically ended. A prize crew from the
United States cruiser Charleston went
aboard the long-sought-for craft this
morning and took formal possession OF
her. The steamer arrived in this port
Wednesday night and took up position
near the Charleston. Her long and sue
cessful run from San Diego. and her eva
sion of the United States warships, in
sured her a royal welcome from
the citizens of Iquique, and
she received it. Captain Mauseman,
her commander. is the hero of the hour,
and was given rousing reception by the
citizens. When he landed and reported
his arrival to the insurgent authorities he
was warmly received, too, by his superior
officers, though they gave him officially
the unwelcon,e tidings that his running
away had been of no avail and
that he was TO return to San
Dieago as prize of the Charleston. The
captain took the matter philosophically,
and soon returned to bis ship to prepare
her for surrender. In the meantime the
United States consul had been officially
notified that Admiral McCann could have
possession of the late fugitive whenever he
chose. He at once informed the admiral
OF this fact, and boats crew in a steam
launch in charge of an officer was sent to
the Itata with request 10 the captain to
repair on board the flagship Baltimore with
view to discussing the condition of his
vessel, and the stores and repairs needed
to enable her to make the return trip and
to officially inform him that he was to re-
gard his vessel as being subject TO order.
from the American admiral. Of cours,
Captain Mauseman accepted the in
vitation, and slipping into The
launch was soon aboard the Baltimoe
in the admiral's cabin. He found Admir-
ais Mccain and Brown, Captain Schlg,
of the Baltimore, and Captain Remy.of
the Charleston, who had been previouily
summoned to take part in the intervisw
and to hear what Captain Mauseman had
to say about the condition of the ship, lis
run from San Diego to Tocapillo, and tae
manner in which he evaded the Charleston.
As result of the conference it was ar
ranged that prize crew from the Charles
ton should go aboard the Itata this morn.
ing and take formal possession of the ship
This programme was carried out to the let
ter, and as soon as she can be got in-s
shape she will start for Ssf
Diego under convoy of the Charles
ton. There she will be hel
to await the action of the United Stases
court, not only for her alleged violationef
the neutrality laws, bnt for contempt Of
court in running away while in custody sf
the United States marshal.
Contrary TO the general impression, sli
the arms and ammunition, consist
ing of 5000 rifles and 10000
rounds of ammunition which he
Itata received from the schooner
Robert and Minnie, are still in the hold of
the steamer and will return to San Diego
with her. Just what led the insurgent, to
surrender the shipment of arms is rot
known definitely, but the general opinion
is that Admiral McCann informed The
authorities that unless the cargo, as we'll
the ship, was given up TO him in conform
ity with his instructions from the navy de-
partment, he would take action to get
them. The rebels have all they waat on
their hands now with the BalmSeeda
forces, and had no desire 10
bring down on them the en1aity
of Uncle Sans naval forces,
including, as they do, such powerful ships
as the Baltimore, Charleston and San
Francisco. Then it is hoped by the rebel
leaders that quiet surrender and suisse
quent negotiations may induce the United
States government TO accord them belig-
erent rights. II they can accomplish this,
the loss of several Itatas with much more
valuable cargoes would be cheap price to
pay.
II will be some time before the Itata will
be ready to start northward. Her ma
chinery is in very bad shape, and unless it
was broken purposely after the vessel ar
rived at Tocopilla it is wonder
she succeeded in getting to Chile
at all. The Charleston will also
need several days in which
10 refill her coal bunkers. Admiral Nc
Cam has ordered board OF survey, con-
sisting chiefly of officers of the engineer
department, to go aboard the Itata make
a careful oyerhauling of her machinery
and boilers and report in detail what
is necessary TO get her III condi-
tion for a voyage. As soon as
thus is done force of men as large as it is
possible to get viii be put aboard and
work will be rushed. the Ttata is by nc
means q formidable war vessel. Hel