The record-union., 1891-09-15
BALMACEDA ESCAPES.
NOW UNDER PROTECTION OF THE
STARS AND STRIPES.
Disguised as Drunken United States
Tar, He is Taken Aboard the
Flagship San Francisco.
special TO the REcoRp-UNroN.

NEW YORK, Sept. IA. M.-The
Herald this (Tuesday) morning contains
the following special cablegram:
VALPARAISO, Sept. 14.-Balmaceda has
escaped from the clutches of his enemies,
and is now safe on the high seas under
the protection of the United States flag.
All the time the soldiers of the Junta
were guarding the passes of the Andes to
prevent his getting in the Argentine Re-
public, and the police of the new pro-
visional Government were searching the
monasteries in and around Santiago for
the fugitive ex-President, he was in
hiding in this city. Here he was more
apt to escape detection than anywhere
else, for his opponents never dreamed
that he would dare return to Valparaiso,
they being assured that he fed from it.
Balmaceda chose his refuge wisely, for
he was enabled to throw himself upon
the mercy of Admiral Brown of the
United States flagship San Francisco and
beg to be saved from the revenge he
feared from his foes. Admiral Brown
did what other foreign Admirals would
have done under similar circumstances.
He stepped in to save possibly Il human
life. In the name of humanity he con-
Sented to afford Bafmaceda the shelter of
his ship and the protection of the stars
and stripes. To effect the ex-Presidents
escape it was decided to have Balmaceda
disguise himself as drunken United
States sailor.
Clothing was sent ashore in the mark ct
boat last night by order of Admiral
In1 T. d.
rnaceda's faithful adherents into the
house where the ex-President was in
hiding. He carefully donned it, and
after a close inspection of his new and
strange attire, to see that there was moth
ing about the get-up which would arouse
suspicion, he stole out by the rear en-
trance into the street NightfalI favored
his disguise, and he had studied his part
so well that he feigned drunken tar to
perfection. In his way toward the water
front he rolled by many men who would
have been delighted to have had chance
10 seize and turn him over to the police
authorities.
In time he reached the spot in the har-
Dor arranged upon. There he found a
boat awaiting him. 1t was manned by
H..
Balmaceda, still maintaining his dis
guise, made final drunken stumble and
fell into the boat. 1t pushed off at once.
and in short time the ex-President. all
signs of inebrity at an end, climbed
swiftly up the ropes and was saved. He
went ut once to one of the cabins of the
San Francisco and did not again show
himself above deck. This part of the
vessel was reserved solely for its promi-
nent guest. Nobody was allowed TO visit
the cabin.
The officers of the San Francisco were
questioned about the matter. but reso-
lutely refused to discuss it. The San
Francisco left Valparaiso this evening for
Callao, thence it viii sail for California.
Balmaceda may elect to land at Callao.
where many Of his leading partisans
have already been taken by foreign ships.
on board OF which they sought refuge
after the fall of Valparaiso
Admiral Browns action will undoubt-
edly, for q time at least, increase the bitter
feeling toward The United States Govern
nent, although the Admirals Of the for
eign vessels have taken prominent Bal
macedists aboard.