The record-union., 1891-05-12
Special to the REcoRp-UN1oN.

Special to the RECORD-UNION.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 1.-THE facts are
no longer concealed even in official naval
circles that the swift cruiser Charleston is
now off on a hot chase after the Chilean
transport Itata, which left San Diego last
Wednesday while under arrest and carry
ing off a Deputy United States Marshal.
The ltata after leaving San Diego took
on board a consignment of rifles and
ammunition which had been shipped
from San Francisco on the schooner
Robert and Minnie. The transfer of the
latter's cargo is believed to have occurred
off San Clemente Island, northwest ofSan
Diego harOor, and it is believed that the
Itata steamed south Friday night.
On Saturday morning the Chilean
cruiser Esmeralda was believed to be
lying off Cape San Lucas, which is the
southernmost point of land in Lower
California, awaiting supplies carried by
the Itata. The sea run to that point is
about 700 miles. The Itata, being heavily
loaded, and although reputed as a fast
craft, it is estimated she cannot exceed
six to eight knots an hour, and the
Charleston, which left San Pedro this
morning, it is thought certain can over
take her or reach San Lucas in advance
of the transport.
If not found there. the Charleston will
proceed directly to Acapulco, which will
be the first point from which any further
intelligence can be received.
Even though the cruiser Esmeralda is
met as a convoy of the Itata, it is under
stood that the orders of the Charleston
are explicit on the point of her capture
and if the Itata is sighted it is believed GER
tain now that there will be capture or a
fight, or both.
The fact that Chilean cruiser accom-
panied the Itata north was first ascer-
tanned through deSerters from the Itata,
who escaped from that steamer at San
Diego. 1t was at first doubted that one of
the most powerful of the Chilean war
ships should go so far from the Chilean
coast at this juncture, but it is now def
nitely known that the Esmeralda is now
in port at Acapulco, on the Mexican
coast, which fact the Navy Department at
Washington was probably fully advised
of when orders were issued to the
Charleston.
An effort was made to keep the desti-
nation of the Charleston secret, therefore,
as naturally representatives of the
Chilean insurgents would be prompt to
advise the Esmeralda of the intention of
the American Government to seize the
Itata. and it is now deemed probable that
the Esmeralda will cruise north toward
San Lucas in hope of meeting the Itata
before the Charleston can arrive, and to
protect her cargo and crew from seizure.
if possible.
Apart from other considerations, it is
now known that on board the Itata is the
commander Of the Esmeralda and large
portion of her crew, and presumably
portion of the Esmeralda's second bat
terry. There is, therefore, a stronge in
centive on the part of the Chilean war
ship to meet the Itata and prevent her be-
ing conveyed back to an American port
under the guns of an American warship.
The fact that there appears now a very
strong likelihood of meeting of the two
evenly-matched warships under condi-
tions that will require fine management
to prevent a fight, is thoroughly recog-
niZed by naval men on the coast.
The orders to Captain Remey, of the
Charleston, are well authenticated to be
binding in the matter of the recapture of
the ltata, if sighted, and on the part of
the Esmeralda, it is believed as fully that
she will fight If she can reach the scene.
The Charleston and Esmeralda are
sister ships as to general plan, and pos
seSS nearly the same armament. The
Esmeralda, however, has two pivot guns
OF ten-inch caliber, with a weight of
twenty-five tons each, while the Charles
ton has two eight-inch rifles fore and aft.
weighing twelve and half tons. This is
regarded by some critics as outmatching
the Charleston in case of a fight, but
apart from these guns the armaments of
the two ships are practically the same.
The Charleston is the swifter ship, and,
while never in action, has a splendid
crew and fighting commander
The Charleston left San Pedro shortly
after !, O'Clock this morning, and was
sighted ten miles off Point Iona, having
made the ninety-mile run in six hours
or fifteep-knot gait. There were addi-
tional orders awaiting her at San Diego,
but she kept on her southwark course
without stopping. There are no tele-
graph stations south of Ensenada,
just south of the boundary line in
Lower California, SO that, save such
meager information as may be brought
north by one of the Panama or coast
steamers, nothing further is likely to be
heard from her or the Itata until the
Charleston returns or is heard from at
some of the Mexican ports. which cannot
occur before Thursday or Friday next.
THE ORDERS FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, MAY 1.-THE air of Sc
cresY surrounding the Itata case is lust
as pronounced as ever at the Navy De-
partment to-day, and it is evident the
officials have no desire to take the public
III.
however, is general that the United States
ship Charleston has been sent out with
secret orders to capture the Chilean
steamer. Just how far these orders ex-
tend, or how much authority they vest in
Captain Remey, is still unknown, and
none of the officials here will venture to
give any information on the subject. The
order, it is said, was long one and was
wired west in the cipher of the Bureau of
Navigation. 1t took the officers four or
five hours to translate the orders into
cipher 1t is said there is enough in
formation in the hands of the Govern
ment to warrant the belief that the Itata
will be next heard of touching at a Mex
lean port, and ii is probable the Charles
ton Will make her first stop about mid
way down the west coast of Mexico, in
the nope of picking up hints as to her
whereabouts.
THREE CRUISERS IN PURSUIT..
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Chilean
vessel incident is about the only topic of
conversation in Washington to-day. Sec
retary Tracy has given positive orders to
all naval Subordinates not to open their
absolutely impossible to learn anything
more concerning the matter. However
enough Is known to confirm the state
ment made in these dispatches Saturday
night. Three United States vessels have
each been assigned certain route and
each one has orders to capture the Itata.
peaceably If possible, but if not to regard
her as fugitive and fire upon ner. 1t is
not believed she will offer any resistance