New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-19

1t does not appear that the chase is any nearer
conclusion. But if the two vessels now follow
the same course, the Charleston, steaming at Iour'
teen knots, should come up with the ltata oy 10
morrow night. This of course, Is based upon inc
assumption, which is not founded upon strong
possibility, that the two vessels are steering eA-
actly the same course. If the Charleston passes
the Itata, the next port where they are hkely 10
be heard from is Panama, about l,20O miles from
Acapulco, or Payta, Peru, still further down the
coast AS it is the vessels have probably covered
less than half the distance to lquique the nearest
Chiian port.
While the official news received from Acapulco
to-day in respect TO the movements OF the Cnaries
ton Itata and Esmeralda was vexatlousiy lnueh-
nite still it was regarded by officers OF the navy
as furnishing a reasonable ground OF nope ior
the capture of the Itata In fact. several Naval
officials expressed the opinion that that would We
done. and there is some reason for the bellet
that President Harrison shares this opinion. lie
takes lively interest in the matter, and is kept
constantly informed in regard to it. Secretary
Tracy to-day had conference with the President
and the latest phases of the subject were dis
cussed Some of the officers of the Government
have been disposed to think wise strategy would
keep the Charleston at Acapulco TO wetch
the Esmeralda and prevent possible COM
munlcation between her and the ltata,
but the more general opinion is that the
| Esmeralda in her present condition and position
is virtually harmless 1t is understood that the
only way in which she can obtain coal. except by
| having 1t shipped from a distant foreign port'
| is to buy it from the Pacific Mail Steamship
| Company which she has already unsuccesstully
tried to do. OF course the Pacific Mail Com
pany. especially in view of its prospective re-
latons with the United States could hardly afford
to do anything to help the Chiian Insurgents to
violate the neutrality laws That the Esmeralda
or any other war ship in possession of the insur-
GENTS will attempt to " hold up" any merchant YES
sci carving the American flag and despoil her coal
| bunkers nobody in authority in Washington be-
| ieves.
1t is evident that the Chlian insurgents are in
| a sad strait for money well as for coal: When
| the Esmeralda put into Acapulco on her way
| north more than two weeks ago her commanding
| officer tried to negotiate drafts on London which
! he had received from the nitrate people NOBODY
| in Acapulco was ready or disposed TO cash the
drafts whereupon dispatches were sent 10 san
| Francisco to find out if the money could DC oD-
tained there. 1t is said that the Chlllan Govern-
ment was informed OF these dlspatcneS' anu ,nat
| the United States promptly received notice oil
| their tenor and significance The drafts nave
| not been cashed, 1t is understood, and the Es-
meralda is thus left financially stranded In AeM-
| can port.
| A ripple Of interest was caused here to-day by
| the appearance OF Aessrs Grace and Eyre. VINO In
the broad language of the Street are SAID TO rep
| resent =" the owners of Peru 1t was given our
| that Messrs Grace and Eyre were here solely TO
negotiate reciprocity treaty between Peru ana
the United States, and that they had come here
| to consult with the new Minister from Peru in
that bei,elf. 1t may be remarked that the new
| Minister has not yet presented his credentials
and therefore is not officially prepared 10 enter
upon negotiations of any sort Besides, Secre-
| tary Blaine, who is popularity supposed 70 be the
chief official intermediary in reciprocity and othel
! negotiations is absent from Washington Desplte
| these drawbacks, however, Mr.. Grace was eN-
tremely active, as he had need to be. if he ex-
| pected to negotiate a reciprocity treaty
| between breakfast and dinner of the
| same day 1t did seem singular that men here
on reciprocity business should have appeared more
| anxious to consult with the Secretary Of the
| Navy than they were with the officers OF the
| State Department II it be true that owners OIL
the Itata have already filed claim against the
| United States on account of the seizure OF that
vessel. on the ground that she is snder duress
perhaps the anxiety Of Mr.. Grace and his col
| leagues can be better appreciated. 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Grace is still of the opinion that
| the Itata will not be Overhauled. He thinks
| that she has coal enough aboard TO take her into
| the harbor of Iquique Tha. may be, but a
| United States man-of-war may be ready. to take
| her when she arrives and bring her back to Sa1
4 Diego