Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-24
BALMACEDA ENDS HIS LIFE
ChiIi's Deposed Dictator
Shoots Himself Dead.
He WAS BETRAYED BY FRIENDS
He Leaves a Pathetic Fare
we'll Letter
Addressed TO His Mother--The Chilians
are Indignant That They are Deprived
OF the Privilege of Rcnding Him Limb
From Limb--Minister Egan's Offices.


NEW YORK, Sept 20.-Ex- President
Balmaceda of Chill, shot himself through
the head yesterday morning while at the
Argentine legation In Santiago, says a
cable dispatch to the Herald, and died
almost Immediately. The capital city
was brilliantly Illuminated all last night,
and there was great rejoicing over the
death Of the fallen ruler.
AT about s o'clock Sonora Urriburia,
whose husband was a close friend of
Balmaceda, heard a pistol shot in the
bedroom that had been assigned to the
ex-president. She awakened her hus-
band, and after summoning Carlos w.
Martinez the door of Balmaceda's room
was burst open.
undressed, with bullet wound in the
temple and a pistol still in one hand.
Balmaceda was dead, although his body
was still warm.
HAD BEEN HIDING IN SANTIAGO.
1t is now known that Balmaceda has
been in Santiago since September I'd. 1t
appears that he started on flight from
Chilli on August Goth, but returned in a
few days. Since then he has been hid
ing in Santiago. All the while he kept
himself confined at the Argentine le-
CATION and never once saw any one but
the minister of the Argentine Republic
and one other man.
Balmaceda had hoped to escape on
the torpedo boat Condell at San Antonio
Bay, but when he arrived there the YES
eel had sailed. He then despaired Of
flight Since his self. imposed imprison-
ment began he has frequently consulted
Senior Urriburia about surrendering
himself to the Junta. On Friday night
they talked until midnight. 1t seemed
10 have fatal effect upon Balmaceda,
for in the morning he cheated the Con-
gressionalists by suicide.
THE DEAD MANS TALE OF WOE.
Balmaceda left letter to his mother,
also statement to the Herald. In the
latter he said.
81 acted all during the past eight
months with the firm conviction that |
was right. had no one in the army in
whom could place any trust.
"My generals were false to me. They
Ied all through the war. Had my orders
oeen obeyed believe the battle of Con.
con would have resulted in decisive
victory against the enemy. My heart all
through this trouble has been with
Chilli. i sought TO make my country
the first republic in America.
"My enemies say | was cruel. Cir.
cumstances compelled me to sanction
certain acts, but many bad deeds that
have been attributed to my orders were
never known by me until they had been
committed.
"Until the final battle at Placilla. ]
had had strong hopes of triumphine
over my foes. Victory was assured BY
my generals. They all lied. / now
know those who only pretended friend
ship for me because of the money tina
was to be gotten out of me.
"All the money that have in my
possession is $4,000. My wife gave /
to me on the night Of August 2Sth.
"Your minister, Patrick Egan, man,
times offered me good advice. He urgec
me to make peace with those opposed
TO me and to retire from Chill.
II did not heed his wise advice, for
thought he was under the influence o
the Junta's agents, who were thel
refugees in the American legation. AL
through the trouble my closest adviser
were always opposed to any overture
for peace"
Another letter was found addressed +
Senior Urriburia. In it Balmaceda saws
"When ! saw the persecution directe
against me by persons who had sun
ported my administration, | came TO tn
conclusion that the only way to put a
end to this prosecution was to take m
life. Adios, my good friend. Give m
farewell TO my wife and children"
BALMAcEDA's CAREER.
Jose Manuel Balmaceda was born il
Santiago 81 years ago. His parent
educated him for the priesthood, but III
hot-headed young man preferred pol
tics. At school he was distinguished b
his eloquence. When 2S years of age h
was already well-known over the cour
try as brilliant leader of men. He a!
pired to seat in congress. He wa
elected deputy to that body for fiy
terms. He was the ablest DICTATOR i
congress. No other man was so popule
as he. He was the idol of the Liber;
party, and favored popular education.
The Liberals had commanded the ms
jority OF the voters for many years A
tHO tulC loulniuCtud Cdlnb lnIO leduel
ship they had more deputies in congre.
than the other two parties combined.
When President Santa Maria took il
Balmaceda in 1885 and made him III
national minister of foreign affairs i
greatly strengthened his administratio
and gratified the nation. The next yet
the popular minister became his party
candidate for President and was electe
by an overwhelming majority.
For the first three years the leadeI
who had applauded Balmaceda's cand
dacy and helped him to his success we
In complete harmony with his ideas an
methods.
END OF A GREAT CAREER.
Then Balmaceda began to grow ii
popular. He sighted old friends As
was ineligible to second term as pres
dent he bent all his energies to the ele
ton of his successor. He formed sever
ministries, all unpopular, and at last i
opponents in congress declared revo
and the great rebellion began. III
ended in August last in the overtime
Of Balmaceda and the government al
the establishment of provisional go
eminent which is now controilil
Gillian affairs.
THE SUICIDE CONFIRMED.
Intense Hatred for the Dead Despoi
The Populace Make Merry Over I