Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-12
A Prospect for a Big Naval
Battle.
The Charleston and Esmeralda
Likely to Meet.
Every Reason to Expect That an En-
gagement viii Ensue.
The Charleston Speeding SOuthward III
Search of the Itata at
Snail's GallOP.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press DlSpatcnes.
SAN Francisco, May 1.-THE fact is
no longer concealed, even in official
naval circles, that the swift cruiser
Charleston is now off on hot chase
after the Chilean transport Itata,
which left San Diego last Wednesday
while under arrest. The Itata, after
leaving San Diego, took on board the
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 isl
and, and it is believed the Itata steamed
south Friday night. The Chilean cruiser
Esmeral6a is believed to be lying off
Cape San Lucas, which is the southern
most point of land in Lower Cali
fornia, awaiting the supplies carried
by the Itata. The sea run to that
point is about 700 miles. The Itata, be-
ing heavily loaded, although reputed to
be fast craft, it is estimated that she
cannot make more than six to eight
knots an hour, and the Charleston,
which left San Pedro this morning, is it
thought certain can overtake her, or
reach San Lucas in advance of the trans
port. If not found there, the Charleston
will proceed directly to Acapulco, which
will be the first place at which any
further intelligence can be received.
Even though the cruiser Esmeralda is
met, as the convoy of the Itata, it is
understood the orders of the Charleston
are explicit on the point of capture, and
if the Itata is sighted, it is believed to
be certain now that there will be a cap
ture or fight, or both.
THE EsMERALDA AT ACAPULCO.
The fact that Chilean cruiser accom-
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 60 SO far from the Chilean
coast at this juncture. But it is now
definitely known that the Esmeralda is
now in port at Acapulco, on the Mexi-
can coast, of which fact the navy de-
partment at Washington was probably
fully advised when orders were issued
to the Charleston. The effort to keep
the destination of the Charleston
secret was, therefore, natural, as
the representatives of the Chill
can 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 the hope of meet
ing the Itata before the Charleston can
arrive, and to protect her cargo and crew
from seizure, if possible.
GOOD CHANCES FOR FIGHT.
Apart from other considerations, it is
now known that on board the Itata is
the commander of the Esmeralda and a
large portion of his crew, and presuma-
blv a portion of the Esmeralda's second
airy battery. There is, therefore, a
strong incentive on the part of the
Chilean warship to meet the Itata and
prevent her from being conveyed back
to an American port under the guns of
an American warship.
The fact that there appears
now very strong likelihood of a
meeting of two evenly matched war
ships under conditions that will require
fine management to prevent fight, is
thoroughly recognized by naval men on
this coast. The orders to Captain Remy
of the Charleston are we'll authenticated
to be binding in the matter of the recap
ture 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.
SISTER SHIPS.
The Charleston and Esmeralda are
sister ships as to their genera! plan, and
possess nearly the same armament. The
Esmeralda, however, has two pivot guns
of 10-inch calibre. with a weight of
twenty-five tons each, while the Charles
ton has two S-inch rifles, fore and aft,
weighing twelve and and a half tons.
This is regarded by some critics as out
matching the Charleston in case of a
fight, but apart from these guns the al
maments of the two ships are practically
the same. The Charleston is the swift
est ship, and, while never in action, has
a splendid crew and a fighting com
mander.
NEWS WILL BE MEAGRE.
The Charleston left San Pedro shortly af-
ter5 O'Clock this morning and was sighted
at IL, ten miles out, off Point Iona,
having made the ninety miles run in six
hours, or at fifteen-knot gait. There
were additional orders awaiting her at
San Diego, but she kept on her south
ward course without stopping. There
are no telegraph stations south OF En-
senada, just south of the boundary line
IN Lower California, so that save such
meagre 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 can
not occur before Thursday or Friday
next.
THE LEGAL STATUS.
The afternoon papers print interviews
with lawyers as to the legal status in
case the Charleston should overtake or
sink the Itata. The views expressed
were that while the Itata flies the
Chilean flag, according to all advices re-
ceived, she is not the representative of
any constituted authority. Balmaceda
is still the head of the Chilean govern
ment, and he alone is recognized by for
eign governments. The Itata was
government vessel, but she was seized
by insurgents, and is being used against
the recognized government, and there
fore the insurgents have no standingun-
der the present legal status of the case.
In case the Esmeralda interferes to pre-
vent the capture of the Itata, she can