The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-10
IN PURSUIT
OF THE ITATA.
Four Cruisers Started After
the Runaway.
The San Francisco, Baltimore, Charleston
and Omaha Join In The Hunt-The
Robert and Minnie Captured.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

WASHINGTON, May 9.-At late hour to-
night Secretary Tracy sent cable message
addressed to Admiral Brown, commanding
the San Francisco, at Valparaiso, Chile.
The body of the dispatch was in cipher of
about 200 words, and signed Tracy"
From one who knows it is learned that Ad-
miral BrowH is ordered to steam north
along the South American coast and try to
intercept the Chilean insurgents boat Itata.
1t is stated positively tonight that the
steamer Charleston has been ordered to the
South American Coast in the wake of the
Itata. The San Francisco and Baltimore
will sail northward. The Omaha will also
take part in the chase.
THE ROBERT AND MINNIE CAPTURED.
SAN PEDRO, May 9.-The mueh-talked-of
schooner Robert and Minnie, which brought
down cargo of arms to be transferred to
the Chilean steamer Itata was seized by
United States Deputy Marshal Anderson
this afternoon. She was in close to
land and Pilot Dill Of San Diego and the
Deputy Marshal went after her in the tug
Falcon. She as overhauled a short dis
tance out and toWed into port. and is now
tied up at the wharf. The captain is under
arrest. Her cargo of arms had been trans
ferred to the Itata.
No resistance was made to the capture.
CAPTAIN BRUSH ARRESTED.
Los ANGELES, May 9.-Captain Brush Of
the schooner Robert and Minnie and Pilot
Dill came ashore before the schooner was
taken. Dill was arrested at San Pedro.
Brush came to Los Angeles and was traced
by a reporter to the depot, where he was
waiting to take a train to San Fran
cisco. Brush first denied that he
was the man wanted. but after
ward acknowledged it and was arrested
by Detective Harry Morse and is now in
the custody uf the United States Marshal.
Brush says he landed the arms, but de-
elInes TO say at what point, but it is sup
posed to be at Catalina or San Clemente
Island
Marshal Gard, United States District At
torney Cole and Detective Harry Morse
came up from San Diego this evening,
THE OMAHA BEGINS THE CHASE.
SAN DIEGO. May 9.-The United States
man-Of-war Omaha steamed out of the
haTbor at noon to-day. and after passing
the Heads stood out to sea in a southwest
erly course. Commander Cromwell received
a mass Of correspondence in cipher from the
Navy Department last night, and it is
understood he has instructions to cruise
around the Coronado Islands and San
CEomente to find oct If possible where the
Robert and Minnie met the Itata and to
pick up the schooner if sighted.
Marshal Gard, Detective Harry Morse
and Deputy Spauldng put in the day secur-
ing testimony cOrrObOTating Spauldng's
statement as to how the ltata was manned
when she left the haTOOT. The statement
was verified by the men on the dredger and
pilot boat, all of whom claim that at least
100 armed Chileans were seen aboard the
craft. As she sailed out Marshal Gard,
Morse and Spaulding left for the north on
this afternoons train.
sOLICITOR-GENERAL TAFT TALKS.
Solicitor General Taft. who has been sum-
mOned here on account Of the serious illness
of his father, Judge Taft was seen by re-
porter to-day, aud on being asked his OPT n
Ion as 10 the probable outcome of the de-
parture Of the Chilean steamer Itata while
the captain was under arrest and the
vessel seized by order of the United
States Government. expressed his ina
bility to give any opinion on the subject.
1.-The fact" said the Solicitor General, that
the Itata sailed from this bay against the
order of the United States is certainly in
FlDldttOl VI b4lc lhN1 Dub W Wu6bncE sue GOutU
be captured on the high seas by an Ameri-
can man-Of-war is question that l am at
present not prepared to answer. Such
questions as this are referred to the At
tOrney-General for his opinion and even If l
were at Washington the question might not
be brought under my attention in an official
manner. AS TO whether the Deputy United
States Marshal has been remiss in his duties
in allowing the steamer to remain in the bay
under full steam, or In any other way failed
TO exercise necessary precautions under the
circumstances, is also matter for the atten-
tiOn Of the Attorney General. just how
far the Collector of the Port may or may
not have failed In his duties, cannot say.
HER PAPERS ALL RIGHT.
81 understand that her papers were
found to be properly made out upon in
spectiOn by the Collector, and whether he is
called upon to examine vessel to see If
she has arms or ammunition for use by an
unfTendly power against nation America
has friendly treaties with, / do not know.
One thing is certain, that all these matters
will receive the attention due them by the
Attorney-General.
zone thing do know, however, and that
is that the Government can no longer afford
to allow such an important harbor as this to
remain without adequate defeDses. The
fact that the Itata or any other
steamer can come into an American
harbOr and openly violate the laws OF
this country will force Congress to
at once take necessary action 10 prevent its
repetition. Located as 1t is, the harbor of
San Diego is one OF the most important for
proper defense that there is on the west
coast and this incident just passed viii make
the authorities more alive to this fact than
ever"