Evening journal., 1891-08-29

kKW YORK, Aug. 9.-Ihe Herains Val
paraiso cable says The future Of Chilli
for the time has been settled. and settled
conclnsively on the hills TO the east Of this
city today by grim arbitrament Of war
With Balmaceda practically a fugitive
without resources in men or money; with
the principal seaports OF the country in
the hands Of the Congressionallsts and a
consequent shutting off Of all income from
customs receipts; with Rresident-elect vi
cuna a refugee on board German war ship
and the country fooking en- masse to the
standard Of the invaders. 1t is a matter or
only few days when the capital will fall
into the hands Of the revolutionary leaders.
Balmacsda's Generals I1s1lea,
A new government, with possibly Judge
Belisario prats. head OF the last parlia-
mentary cabinet Of Balmaceda, or Manuel
Jose IrarrHzavai, head Of the last cabinet.
at ITS head, viii be formed, and things
| will 60 along in about the same way ia
Chill IS they did before Jan. 4 when hos
! tilities were formally begun.
General Canto and his army won todsy's
battle by superior generalship, good hard
fighting, assisted by good fortune in the
killing Of Balmaceda's generals and the
consequent decentralization Of the army
~"-N~
The story of the Battle.
Early in the morning the boom Of can
non announced to the people Of Valparaiso
that movement beyond the ordinary
skirmishes had begun. The occasional
loud reports Of the heavy guns soon swelled
into one continuous roar and then il was
known that the final decisive struggle
which, at the cost Of thousands OF lives
perhaps, was TO decide whether Balmaceda
or the Junta was to be the ruling power
In Chill had begun.
The insurgent leader, General Canto's,
position was on the hills above the race
track at Vina del Mar, outside OF the city
His raiders have been getting bolder and
bolder. He Ind absolute control OF the
railroad to Santiago and commanded the
ordinary roads. Affairs had come to such
pass that 1t was necessary for President
Balmaceda to make some move and a
little after daylight the word was given to
attack the position held by the revolutions
lists, and, led by Generals Barbosa aud
Alcerreca, the government troops left
their breastworks and advanced on the
enemy under cover OF a heavy fire from
their batteries.
Deadly Work Of smokeIess Powder.
The insurgents were generally armed
with Mannlicher rifles and used smOkeless
powder. The government troops were not
30 well armed AS soon as the approaching
column got within range OF Nhe Mann
lichers they met a destructive fire from
the reyolutionists. Shot aud shell.
grape and canister and rife bullets tore
through the ranks Of the advancing troops
until il became too hot, and despite the
efforts OF the officers they broke and re-
tired almost in panic.
Officers worked like beavers to reform
their columns as soon as they got without
the range OF the deadly Mannlinches and
ct last succeeded. Then came another at |
tack. In the steady ranks the government
troops started on double quick up into the |
torrent Of fire and lead which blazed from |
the ranks Of the insurgent army
Two Generals Killed.
Early in the second charge General Bar |
bosa was shot down and killed. The
line wavered but kept on. Then General |
Alceneca fell from his horse, wounded
unite death. Ho was removed from
the field and died within an hour
Another break and then General Canto
gave the order to charge. With a wild |
yell the Congressionalist army left their |
defenses and charged on ths retreating
enemy.
Their artillery poured deadly fire into
the ranks of Balmaceda's army The loss |
OF their generals left them without head |
The retreat became a rout, the rout a |
panic and then came utter Generalization |
The government cavalry made stand, |
hut were literally cut to pieces.
Whole regiments which had not lost
their regimental formation went over TO
the victorious troops Of Canto and Joined |
in the attack on their late comrades |
These deserters were generally the 'volun- |
teers," who had been impressed into serv-
ice by Balmaceds since the commencement |
of hostilities
Fully 5000 Dead or wounded.
The fighting lasted little less than five |
hours, and its desperate character may be |
judged by the fact that fully 5000 men |
were killed and wounded.
The defeat Of the government is absolute |
There is no possibility of reorganization, |
end IL Balmaceda does not succeed in max |
ing his escape through the mountain pass |
es the chances are that he will be captured |
and shot. President-elect Vicuna took 4
the alarm early, and went aboard the Ger |
man flagship and asked protection Of the |
admiral, which was granted. The inhabi |
tants OF Valparaiso are today apparently /
all revolutionists, for as the insurgent |
troops marched through the streets they |
we're greeted with the widest enthusiasm |