The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-25
FIGHTING NEAR VALPARAISO.
insurgents Undertaking a Desperate,
Almost Hopeless Task.
Canto' the Great Congressional Leader,
Seeks to Plant His Cannon Back of
the Capital and Batter Down the
Walls of the Tyrant's Stronghold.


was no decisive result reached. Both
armies rested today and got themselves in
the best possible condition for the
f1nal struggle, which must soon de-
termlne the mastery of Chile.
Balmaceda's lines of defense yester-
day were strongly fortified and were
under the range of Fort Callas' guns.
Many of his troops are raw recruits, but
there is a leaven of veterans among the
line. After the rebels dashed against the
lines of government troops only
to be repulsed with great blood
shed, repeated attacks were made
with no decided advantage for either side.
Under cover of a flag of truce the ambul-
ance and hospital corps were busy all
night caring for the wounded. When
morning broke it was discovered that
neither party was in position to assume
the offensive, and practical truce today,
with no fighting, was the result.
Neither party has been idle during the
day. Scouting parties from the insurgent
army have been securing the country for
supplies, and one of them cut the
railway to Santiago at Saton. The
government forces are strengthening
their lines and maneuvering to get into a
position which will preclude any success
ful attempt on the part of the enemy to
get in the rear of Valparaiso.
1t is generally believed that General
Canto, commander of the rebels, will at
tempt flank movement when he resumes
operations. and this the Baimacedists are
attempting to Illustrate. In the face of an
army equal in valor, as we'll equipped
and at least equal, if not superior in num-
bers, to force the line of Balmaceda's forts
with their heavy guns, manned by ex-
pert and veteran gunnsrs, defending VAL
paraiso from the northeast-consisting of
Fort Callao, Podetto, Andes and Valpar-
aiso is task to daunt the most con-
fident general. If by any means
Balmaceda's army can be thanked and the
insurgents can make good position in
the rear of the city, they will. in the opin-
ion of foreign naval officers here, do it.
Gen. Canto is veteran of the Peruvian
war. He knows the country and realizes
that if he can get his heavy guns on the
hills back of the city he will not only have
position which is practically impregnable
from the attack of any force which can be
brought against him, but which will en-
able him to batter down the CITY at his
will.
Valparaiso is quiet today. All business
houses, offices and stores are closed
Everybody who can do so has left the
city. and few people are seen on the
streets. While the government tor
pedo cruiser Almirante Lynch
was assisting the artillery men
in the forts in keeping the
rebel ship at long range, and thus pre-
venting them from giving effective aid to
the land forces, the breech plug of one of
her fourteen-pound Hotchkiss guns blew
out, instantly killing the gunner in charge.
HAMBURG, Aug. PA dispatch to the
Hamburger Nachrichten from Santiago de
Chile, says that on the 9th inst. sixty un-
armed youths, belonging to good families,
while holding political meeting were
massacred by detachment of cavalry by
order of Balmaceda. The massacre has
caused indignation among all classes.
LIMA, Aug. PA Valparaiso telegram
reports that Balmaceda's army at Vina del
Mar has repulsed the insurgents, but the
report was not confirmed. The telegram
adds: "Balmaceda has ordered 1000 troops
stationed at Coquimbo to proceed against
Iquique."
LONDON, Aug. PA dispatch to the
Times, published to-day from Buenos
Ayres. confirms the information contained
in the letter from Lisbon, to the effect that
President Balmaceda, of Chile, had sent
100000 in silver to Montevideo for
shipment to Europe-thanks 10 the good
offices of the captain of the British warship
Espigle. President Balmaceda, accord
ing to the story, being unable to borrow
money. seized the silver bullion in the
treasury at Santiago de Chile, which was
stored there as security for tiduciary cir
culation, in order to be able to pay the
sums due to European contractors who
have been supplying him with ships,
arms and ammunition. The writer of this
communication added that Balmaceda.
being unable to hire a private vessel to
transport the silver to Montevideo from
where it was TO be transferred to Europe,
managed to persuade the commander of
Her Maiesty's ship Espiegle 70 convey the
silver TO Montevideo. where the money
landed August 10. The Times, comment
ing upon this letter, said it was
confident that the commander of
the Espiegle took this step without the
consent of the British admiralty, adding
that it seemed as though the British war
ship had been made an accomplice of
downright robbery. The Times says the
matter demands full and prompt investi-
cation.
Nicaraguan Generals Arrested.
GRANADA. Nicaragua, Aug. 24--Generals Zav-