The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-11
CHASING The IIATA.
Instructions to the CharleStOD'S
Commander.
The Schooner Robert and Minnie Tied Up
al San Pedro.
Agent Burt Insists That Ee Violated No
Law - An Air Of Mystery at
Washington.
srecial to THE MORNING. CALL

WASHINGTON, May 10.-While there are
no new developments regarding the re-
ported issuance of orders to the cruiser
Charleston and the men-of-wa composing
the South Pacific squadron to go after and
seize the insurgent vessel Itata, which Is
now supposed TO be on her way to Chile
with arms taken from the schooner Robert
and Minnie. it is believed orders have been
sent TO Admiral Brown, commanding the
Pacific Station, and to Admiral McCanD,
commanding the ships of the South Pacific
Station, to capture the Itata by force ii nee
essary, and take her to the first American
port. The greatest air Of secrecy surrounds
the affair, and to- night 1t is utterly impossi-
bic TO learn that any orders of any nature re-
garding Itata had been issued by the Navy
Department or would be issued.
THE CHARLEsToN's MISSION.
Secretary Tracy left the city yesterday
on dispatch boat in company with Com
mCdore Foyer to inspect the new naval
proving-grOund down Tie Potomac and has
not yet returned. At his house it was said
he had probably continued his trip to Fort
Monroe or gone down the Chesapeake to
stay over Sunday He left word that he
would not return until noon tomorrow.
Commodore Ramsey, Chief of the Bureau
of Navigation, who issues all orders direct
ing the movements of the ships of the navy,
was seen tonight, but declined to say any
thing on the subject There are strong rea-
sons for believing that orders were e-Issued
yesterday before Secretary Tracy left the
department and that the Charleston is now
on her way south after the Itata.
ORDERS ISSUED.
Commodore Ramsey said tonight that he
had received an unofficial dispatch this
morning from San Francisco saying that the
Charleston had gone to sea to test her guns,
but had not returned, as had been stated.
Orders were issued some time ago by the
Navy Department for the Charleston to go
TO sea for the purpose of giving her eight
inch rifles trial in firing, while the ship
executed certain manuvers, but whether
the orders were further supplemented by
sealed orders or not cannot be learned.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy S0ley
has been absent from the department since
Thursday. and when seen tonight he also
declined to say anything that would throw
any light whatever on the subject. Solely
said he was not fully Informed as to what
absence and was not in a position TO say
anything in the absence of the Secretary,
who would return tomorrow. He also de-
clned TO affirm or deny that any orders had
been issued by the department in conse-
quenee OF the sudden. departure CT the Itata.
THE ITATA.
Navy officers in Washington who are con-
versant with the coast Of Lower California
say 1t is likely the schooner Robert and
Minnie may have deposited tile rifles intend
ed for the Chileans on some one of the small
outlying islands near the coast and the 1tata
procured them there instead of taking the
chances of sighting the schooner at sea, as
this WAS the most practicable scheme. and
moreover, would not tend to suspicion by
the United States authorities as would be
the case should the schooner be seen lying
off the coast. The Itata is an iron-screw
propeller ship of 200 tons and built in Eng
land in 1873 She has compound engines of
antiqnated make and is not capable, prob
ably, OF steaming more than nine or ten
knots an hour She was formerly owned
and operated by the Chilean Steam Naviga-
tiOn Company, and how she came into the
hands Of the insurgents is not known here,
unless she was seized by them at the begin
ming of the inSurrectlOn.
IN CHILEAN WATERS.
The United States vessels in Chilean
waters are the Baltimore and the flagship
Pensacola, with Rear T-AdmiTal McCann in
command. The San Francisco WHEN last
heard from had left Peru. and will likely
join the Baltimore and Pensacola early
this week. With the Charleston, the Ad-
miral viii have under his command three
OF the finest ships of the new navy, besides
the Pensacola, which is the best of the
wooden class in the service. With those
four ships it is not anticipated by naval Off
GERS that much OPPOSITE on would be met
with should the United States see lit to cap
NtrrA h..I Ifnfp a eAo -
forced by the best ships Of the insurgents.
CAPTAIN REMEY's INSTRUCTIONS.
The telegraphic instructions sent TO the
Captain of the Charleston leave a good deal
to that officers discretion and judgment, In
case he oYertakes the Itata. He is directed
to take the Chilean vessel, provided he can
do so without manifest injury to his own
ship. The department does not anticipate
anything like h0stlities between the
Charleston and Itata, but the latter vessel
may be joined by battle.ship of the
insurgents by the time the United
States cruiser Overhauls her. The
protection which surrounds the Itata
will govern the action of Captain Remey.
If in his opinion he can forcibly seize the
Chilean vessel without the destruction of
the Charleston aud the death of her officers
and men the Iiata will be brought back to
an American port. Captain Remey of the
Charleston Is not expected TO meet with
lOICiole OUJectIOu SIOUIO lie succeed IN HtQ-
ing the Itata, but Admiral Brown of the
San Francisco and Captain Schley of the
Baltimore may in Obeying orders intercept
the Chilean and encounter the navy of the
insurgents,
THE ITATA LIABLE TO SEIZURE
This discretionary privilege is not likely
to be abused or render the United States
officers OveT-cantiOus. The department
holds that the first duty of the commander
in war is to take great risks for the accom-
pills shment of great ends. The United States
has not recognized the Chilean beligerents.
Naval officers who have been at Chilean
ports have not extended TO the insurrect tiOn-
lists the ciyilities usual on the occasion
OF visiting naval vessel. In so
pointed manner as ignoring the salutes
made by Chilean vessels and failing to
return official calls of the insurrectionists
have the representatives of this Govern
ment IN Chile withheld its recognition Of
the biIligerent party. The only Government
recognized by the United States in Chile
has made formal protest against the fit
ting out OF the ltata at an American port,
and requests the seizure of that vessel.
Backed by this protest and request and
supported by the fact that the Itata has al
ready violated several laws of this Govern
ment, the United States will take the
Chilean without fear Of further complica-
ti0ns.
THE ROBERT AND MINNIE.