The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-21
Escape Out Off He Hid at the
Argentine Legation In
Santiago.
lit Was in That Place That He
Put an End to His
Existence.
Valparaiso Illuminated and the
People Rejoice Over the
Suicide.
A Letter Left Declaring His Love for His
Country and Accusing His Gen.
erals of Dupiicity.

SOuuLEy 0Uu ACCOUNTING G1Ab u0n-
erals of Dupiicity.
New York. Sept. 2o.-The Herald's VAL
paraiso cablegram states that ex-President
Balmaceda, of Chill, shot himself through
the temple in his room at the Argentine le-
cation in Santiago on Saturday morning.
The story became known in Valparaiso
Saturday afternoon, and created great ex-
element. Last evening the city was bril-
liantly illuminated, and on every hand was
heard the sounds of rejoicing.
1t now seems that the story that Balma-
ceda escaped on the United States steamer
San Francisco was erroneous. Instead, he
left Santiago August 8, in tho hope of es-
Gaping from the country, but, finding every
avenue of egress closed, returned to the
city on September 2, and went di-
rect to the Argentine legation. Since
then he has been extremely nervous.
No one save the Argentine minister and one
other man, devoted to Balmaoeda, was per-
mitted to see him. About eight O'Clock
Saturday morning pistol shot was heard
in Balmaceda's room. and Senior u. r. Ri
buria rushing in, found that the ex-presi
dent had just put bullet into his brain.
The iunta was notified, and a committee
Immediately went to the house and viewed
the body. As the news spread crowds of
people gathered around the Argentine lega-
ton. They cheered, hooted and nearly
went into frenzy over the death Of their
late enemy. Above all was heard shouts
congratulating him that in taking his own
life he had escaped worse fate at the
hands of the junta.
Balmaceda left letter to his mother.
and also statement to the New York Her
aid. As almost tho last declarations of the
dying man they are of especial Importance.
He says among other things: II acted dur
ing the past eighteen months with the con-
viction that I was right. had no one in
the army could trust The generals lied
to me. Had they obeyed my orders think
the battle of Concon would have resulted
in the defeat of the enemy. My heart mas
been with Chill through the whole trouble.
I sought to rescue my country from foreign
domination and make her the first republic
in South America. My enemies say Twas
cruel. Circumstances compelled me to
sanction certain acts. but many acts
Of until after they had been committed.
Until the final battle of Placilla l had
strong hopes of triunphing. My generals
assured me Of victory, but they all lied. l
know now they only pretended dha, to be oo19g my
got from me. All the money have is
$4,000 that my wife gave me Aug %. Your
minister, Patrick Esan. many times offered
me good advice. He urged me to make
peace with those who opposed me and re-
advice, for thought he was under the in
fluence of the junta, who then were refugees
in the American legation. All through the
trouble my closest advisers were opposed
to any overtures for peace
Balmaceda's body has been removed to
the general cemetery. 1t was accompanied
by members of his family and friends.
Jose Manuel Balmaceda WAS born in 184O
He received his education at the Seminario
Conciliar of Santiago de Chilli, and early
distinguished himself as political orator,
his speeches favoring radical reforms IN
the constitution of 1888. He was deputy in
five consecutive legislatures. was VI ,oaa elected
senator in 1885, and from April II, 1882, was
minister of the interior under President
Santa Maria. In 1868 he was one of the
founders, together with his brother. Malta
and Isidoro Errazuriz, and other liberal
Chilians, Of the reform club, and in 1874
boldly but unsuocessfully advocated in con.
gress the separation of church and state.
As premier in 1884, however, he succeeded
in introducing civil marriages and other
liberal laws. AS Gillian minister at Buenos
Ayres Balmaceda rendered his country
q, good service by ginning the good will OF
the Argentine Republio during the war be-
tween Chill and Peru The convention at
Santiago on Jan. IS, 1886. nominated him
for president, to which position he WAS
elected to succeed Santa Maria at the expi-
ration of the term, Sept. 1S Of that year.
In the first wears of his administration
n1y 1iheral Nn6 cOpaarvat1Va
but his ambition for power became insati-
ate, and he proved to be one of the worst
enemies of the people. The constitution Of
Chill forbids the reelection of president,
but Balmnceda violated the spirit of the
law BY forcing the election of Vicuna, one
OF his tools and agents as his immediate
successor. This man bitterly antagonized
public opinion and both houses of con-
gress and the people generally dstrusted
him. II was apparent that BaImnceda wss
behind the now president, and Lastarla, tho
hend of the cabinet, resigned because OF
Bnlmaceda's intrigues and prosecutions. and
in attempting to flee from the tyrants
wrath perished in the SHOWS of the Andes.
new cnbinst was formed in October, 1889,
and Balmaceda promised to call an
popular clamor, in the spring of 1890. He
failed to keep his promise, and formed
new cabinet with one of his tools at its
head. The congress- that met in juno last
yenr passed vote OF censure against the
ministry by large majority of both
houses, but at Bnlmacedn's instigation tho
ministry refused to vncate their Offices, and
the conflict was pracipitated. Congress re-
fused to pass appropriation bills, and Bal
macedn paid the expenses OF the govern
ment from the surplus in the TREASURY.
Riots and bloodshed followed. Congress
firmly maintained it's ground, and Balma-
ceda was forced to appoint Il new ministry.
The situation frightened for time, but
when Balmnceda refused to remove an OBJ
jeotionable official the ministry resigned in
body, and Bamaoeda formed another
ministry, this time of his intimate
personal friends. He again refused
to convene congress in I'M extra
session and, as no appropriations were
made, on January |, 1891 he virtually pro-
claimed himself dictator by declaring that
he would uso tho public money and main