River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-09-24
3AI.MAcEDA

Illuminated aud on every hand were
heard sounds of rejoicing. 1t now
seems that Balmaceda left Santi-
ago on August 20 last in hope of
making his escape from Chilli,
but seeing that every avenue of
retreat was cut off he returned there
on September 2 and went direct to the
Argentine legation. His intention had
been to go on board the vessel Condell.
which he expected to find lying in SAM
tiago bay. Upon arriving there, how
ever, he discovered to his chagrin that
the vessel had sailed.
Since his return 10 the Argentine le-
cation in Santiago Balmaceda had
been in an extremely nervous condi-
ton. No one, with the exception of
the minister of the Argentine Repub-
lie and one other man who was de-
voted To the unfortunate ex-president's
cause, was permitted to talk with him
or ever TO see him. All the different
schemes of the flight were considered
by the hunted eX-president
Senior Urriburia went to the theater
Friday night. When he returned to
the legation he had long and earnest
talk with Baimaceda relative to the
latter's ideas, previously preached,
about the advisability of giving himself
up To the junta. Balmaceda and Senior
Urriburia went to bed at midnight
Sonora Urriburia, about a. IN. Sat
urday. heard pistol shot in the bed
room that had been assigned to Balma-
ceda She notified her husband. Before
he went to Balmaceda's room he ran
around to the house of Carlos Walker
Martinez and brought that gentleman
back to the legation. Upon breaking
in the door of Balmaceda's room it
was found that he had shot himself.
The body was still warm. There was
a gaping wound in the temple. The
body was undressed and lay on the bed.
The revolver was still in his right hand.
Balmaceda left a letter to his mother;
also statement to the press of the
United States. As almost the last dec
larations of dying man they are of
especial Importance. He says.
Il acted during all the past eight months
with the firm conviction thai was right. /
had no one in the army whom / could
place any trust. NV generals were false TO me
They lied ali through the war Had my orders
been obeyed l believe that the battle Of
Concon would have resulted in a de-
cisive victory against the enemy My
heart all through this trouble has
been with Chilli ! sought TO rescue my coun-
try from foreign domination l str3ve to make
her the first republic IN America My enemies
say that / was cruel Circumstances com
PEELED me TO sanction certain acts but many
bad deeds taat have been attributed to my or
ders were never known by me until they had
been committed.
Until the final battle of Placilla l had
strong hopes of triumphing over ny foes.
Victory was assured by my generals. Alcerecca
Barbosa and Wei. They all lied. / now know
those who pretended friendship for me only be-
cause Of the money that was to be gotten out
Of me. All the money that have in my pos
session Is 81 500 My wife gave il to me on the
night of August 2s.
Your minister Patrick Egan, many times
offered me good advice. He urged me to make
peace with those opposed to me and to retire
from Chill. did not heed lis wise advice, for
] thought he was under the influence OF the
junta's orders. who were then refugees in the
American legation. All through the trouble
my closest advisers were always opposed to
any overtures for peace"
Another letter was found addressed to
Senior Urriburia. In it Balmaceda says:
when l saw the persecution directed
against me by persons who had supported my
administration | came to the conclusion that
the only way 10 put end 70 this persecution
was to take my lie. l was the responsible
one Adds. my good friend. Give my farewell
TO my wife and children"
Just before the San Francisco
sailed last Monday it became known
that Balmaceda had been SNUG
gled on board the warship and would
be safely ut sea 1t was too late to go
on board the San Francisco and make
personal inquiries. That vessel was
Just getting ready to weigh anchor
But the story of Balmaceda' 5 alleged dis
guise as a drunken sailor in a uniform
said to have been furnished by Admiral
Brown was so circumstantial and
seemed so plausible that it could hard
ly be doubted. Unfortunately for the
now dead ex-president he did not
escape on board the San Francisco, but
despairing of his ability TO get away,
and fearing the vengeance of his en-
emies. took his own life.
There IS a mingled feeling of savage
rejoicing at his death and of bitter re-
regret that he should have killed him
self instead of falling into the clutches
of the Infatuated citizens, who would
have delighted 10 rend bin limb from
limb for the long list of cruelities for
which they hold him responsible.
II is the general belief that
Balmacedas death will hasten in
great degree the restoration of peace
throughout Chill Now that the chief
enemy of the junta is no moro it is like
ly that his followers will be shown
mercy. since without Balmaceda to di-