The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-10
no RUN AFTER THE ITATA
TRACY NOT WORRYING RMSELF
ABOUT HER ESCAPE.

Precedents Justify the Government in
Selling Her Wherever She Can Be
Found-The Laws of This Country
VioIated-The Chsrleston's Move
ments Uncertain.
WASHINGTON. May 9.-It was not ap-
parent this morning that the navy depart
ment was exercising itself greatly to recap
ture the Chilean steamer Itata. Secretary
Tracy left the city early in the morning in
company with Commodore Folger to in
Ipect officially the new ordnance proving
ground at Indian Head, about forty miles
down the Potomac, without leav-
ing any trace of an order
relating to the matter, so if there was any
serious disposition on the part of the navy
department to send the Charleston in chase
Of the Itata it would appear to have been
abandoned. But there is reason to
believe that there is some hope
entertained by the government officials
that the Itata did not start at full speed for
Chile. In the first place it does not appear
that she has received the arms carried by
the Robert and Minnie; in the second place
the dispatches stated that she started north
ward, which is certainly not the route from
California to Chile. There is a strong sus-
picion that she is lurking somewhere in the
neighborhood of San Diego, waiting an OPP
portunity to get arms from the schooner.
COULD BE SEIZED.
The varying opinions In official minds as
10 the legal status of the escaped Chilean
vessel Itata are gradually merging into a
belief that the vessel can legally be recap
tured on the high seas by any of our naval
vessels Precedents which are coming to
hight seem to establish this right. One Of
the most recent cases occurred during
the last war between NicarauEa
and Guatemala. The steamer Mexico was
supplied with arms and mea in an Ameri-
san port and sailed for Guatemala. She
was pursued by United States vessel,
captured in Guatemalan waters, brought to
New Orleans and accused Of violation Of
the neutrality laws. Judge Brown In
long opinion fully sustained the right Of
geizure under such circumstances and went
even beyond the contention Of the state de-
partment.
A PRECEDENT.
Again, during the rebellion ct Colon, a
United States vessel sighted a rebel vessel
supposed TO have aboard the insurgent
eader who had ordered the burning of
N the high seas, but the naval
ressel captured her and brought ner
0to a United States port. The vessel
was subsequently, released on the ground
that she was recognized belligerent, but
Ihe court again sustained the right of
seizure under the circumstances. During
.he last Haytien rebellion, Minister Preston
was successful in causing the detention Of
Tour vessels fitted ou5 for hostile operations.
HAS VIOLATED OUR Laws.
So it is said, there is ample precedent for
the seizing OF the Itara ON the high seas
tor aside from the question of whether or
not she violated the neutrality laws, it is
eear that she has violated several other
United States laws. She sailed without
clearance, she kidnapped a UnitH States
marshal and she has no national standing
Moreover the government Of Chile, the only
government there known to our govern
nent, has requested her seizure, SO that
WaIvind all question OF international law,
here is no notion to make formal compl-
aint If the vessel is taken.
AN UNCERTAIN QUANTITY.
Whether there is to be any effort made to
fecapture her is not officially stated. A
iispatch received at the navy department
today said that tie Charleston had gone
sut to sea to try her great guns and would
return this afternoon. If she is to chase the
ltata this does not seem to be an opportune
lne to try her great guns, but Commodore
Ramsey, who is acting Secretary Of the
Navy, refused to say what else the Charles
ION was to do, or whether sne was under any
pecial order.
THE SCHOONER CAPTURED.
Los ANGELES, CAL, May 9.-The
chooner Robert and Minnie was captured
his afternoon about three miles from San
Pedrob by Deputy Marshal Anderson on board
u the tug Falcon. She made no resistance
lnd was towed into San Pedro harbor and
ned up to the wharf. Arms said to have been
pa board her had dis appeared, and it is be-
leyed that they have been transferred to the
steamer Itata