Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-29
VALPARAISO SURRENDERED.
reports Received Here Last Night Of q Con-
Gresstonalist Victory In Chill

-ANA
VALPARAISO sURRENDERED
Reports Received Here Last Nirht of q Cor-
grcsstonalist Victory In Chill
News received from Chill last night seemed
TO leave no doubt that the congressionaIists had
won signal victory and that Valparaiso had
been surrendered TO them.
VALPARAISO, August 2S.-Battle fought near
this city this morning. Government forces
badly beaten. Heavy loss both sides. City
surrendered to opposition, but in hands Of ad-
nnirals American. German, French and English
fleets for good order. No communication with
Santiago. Opposition forces now entering the
city. (Signed) McCRxARY.
L. s. Consul at Valparaiso.
This is the first information received by the
State Department from its representatives in
Chill relative to the state of affairs there for
some time excepting meager cipher dispatch
received yesterday morning from Minister
Egan, dated Thursday at Santiago. stating that
small hight had taken place near that place
that morning and the decisive battle would
probably be fought yesterday morning.
Mr. Wharton said last night that Santiago had
been cut Of from Geographic communication
with the outside world. the wires probably
being IN the hands of the insurgents, or Min
lister Egan would have communicated with the
department. giving more of the particulars of
! the situation.
DISPATCHES FROM ooSGREssIoNALIsT SOURCES.
Mr.. Julio Foster, representing the congress
sionalists here, received dispatch from Rich
| ard Trumbull, the congressional agent. who is
under indictment In connection with the Itata
affair, and one from MIR. Wei, a confidential
agent of the congressionalists at Lima. an
nouncing that a victory had been won by the
congressionalists. The former said:
"Bslmaeeda is defeated. Valparaiso in our
power. Viva Chilli
(Sgued) TRUMBrII"
The other declares; Triumph complete.
Valparaiso surrendered"
The firm of John ID. Spreckles & Bro, at San
Francisco, received the following yesterday:
/ VALPARAISO. August 2S.-Opposition de-
feated: Valparaiso in control of COMPRESSION
| alists''
HOW THE TROUBLE ORIGINATED.
As ii is understood in this country, the trou-
bic in Chill grew out Of an attempt on the part
OF President Balmaceda to assume powers
which it was claimed were beyond his consti-
| tutional authority. He has been charged with
disregarding the legislative branch of the gov
ernment and attempting to assume a dictator
ship. The constitution Of Chile is based on
that OF this country and was adopted in 1888.
Balmaceda was elected president in 1856. He
| attempted to name as his successor TO the
presidency man who was not popular. This
aroused dissensions and Balmaceda own cabi-
net demanded his withdrawal and all re-
signed. Balmaceda appointed new cabinet.
| Both houses Of congress having passed votes
| OF censure on the ministry, they refused, ac-
| cording to custom, TO withdraw when an at
! tempt was made to checkmate this step by
| withholding supplies. But the president. be-
| side being commander-in-chicf of the army and
| the navy, controlled the available funds in the
mlnts and from June to October of last wear
| business was stagnant. and the country suffered
| as from a war blockade. Finally the congress
having gained Its poin.. and prepared the way
for fitting election of congress and president,
| adjourned on October 20, and the first danger
was over.
Balmaceds persisted in his attitude toward
| congress, thus unifying all the anti-administra-
ton elements. On January 1. 1891. in a mani
| fekto, he declared his purpose to continue to
govern, even without supplies. Congress.
thereupon, with the support of the navy and
part OF the army, determined to compel the
| president to govern in what they considered a
constitutional manner. And So after a period
OF forty years. in which there had been no civil
| war In Chilli, the crisis came on January when
| the people of Valparaiso were surprised to find
| that the ironclad Blanco Encalada the Esme-
zelda and other important vessels of the navy
had disappeared during the night, leaving only
an old Peruvian ironclad In the harbor.
BEGINNING OPERATIONS.
A manifesto, signed by the vice president of
the senate and the president of the chamber of
deputies, informed the public that these YES
sells had Joined in the defense of the consri-
tuition.
On that afternoon the feet. Joined by the
Almirante Cochrane, returned and without
| opposition took the Huascar. Its first move
ment was to blockade the Chilian ports from
Uquique to Columbia. 1t was this that attracted
the attention of European naval powers and
the United States, all of which are deeply in
terested in the nitrate trade conducted on sucl
large scale along this coast. This country,
France and England Immediately sent men OF
war to protect the interests of their respective
subjects. Not an inconsiderable part of the
army has been loyal to Balmaceda, and, on the
other hand, until recently, when two new ships
started from abroad, almost the entire strength
of the insurgents has been in the navy and that
too, with little opposition. 1t was this reason
principally that has made the struggle SO pro-
tracted, the two forces not being able to meet
fully and finally On common ground; then two
land forces were separated by almost impene-
trable mountain passes.
Since then there have been several engage
| ments, both sea and land. with varying re-
| suits. The congressionals controlled the four
upper provinces, including two ports. while the
| executives held the southern portion of the
country, including Valparaiso, the most i'm
portant port On the day after the con-
gressionals made their head quarters at lauiaue.
February IL. 1891, Balnaceda issued a decree
dissolving congress and ordering new cleo
| ton, and the constituents reterted BY de-
claring his decree void.
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