The record-union., 1891-08-25
Special to the REcoRp-UN1ox.


New YORK, Aug. 25.-A. M.-The Her
dtd this (Tuesday) morning says: The
battle at Vina del Mar beach was only
stopped by darkness last night. There
was no decisive result reached. Both
armies rested to-day to get themselves in
the best possible condition for a final
struggle, which must soon determine the
mastery of Chile. Balmaceda's line of
defense yesterday was strongly fortified,
and was under range of the Fort Callao
guns. Many of his troops are raw re-
cruits, but there is a leayen of veterans
among them. Time after time the rebels
dashed against the lines of the Govern
ment troops, only to be repulsed with
great blOodshed, and repeated attacks
were made with no decided advantage to
either side.
Under cover of a flag of truce the am
bulance and hospital corps were busy
during the night caring for the wounded.
When morning broke it was discovered
that neither party was in position to as
sumo the offensive, and practical truce,
with no fighting, has been the result.
Neither party has been idle during the
NoJ' AoSOtliliS letA liSS 1IOill lLlS lIlSul-
gent army have been securing the coun-
try for supplies, and one of them cut the
railroad TO Santigo at Salto. The Gov
ernment forces have been strengthening
their lines and manmvering to get into a
position which will preclude any sue
cessful attempt on the part of the enemy
to get into the rear of the city of Valpa-
raiSo.
1t is generally believed here that GEN
eral Canto, commander of the rebels,
will attempt a flank movement when he
resumes operations, and this the Balma-
cedists are attempting to frustrate. In
the face of an army equal in valor, as
well armed and equipped, and at least
equal If not superior in numbers, to force
the line of forts, with their heavy guns
manned by expert and veteran gunners,
defending Valparaiso from the north
west, consisting of Forts Callao, Podetto,
Andes and Valparaiso, is a task to daunt
the most confident General. II by
any means Balmaceda's army can
be flanked, and the insurgents can make
good position in the rear of the city,
they will, in the opinion of foreign naval
officers here, do.
General CantO is veteran of the Peru
Wan 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 attacks of any force
which can be brought against him, but
which will enable him to batter down the
city at his will.
Valparaiso is quiet to-day. All bust
ness 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 torpedo cruiser
Almirante Lynch was assisting the artil-
lery men in the forts in keeping the rebel
cruisers at long range, and thus prevent
ing them from giving effective aid to the
land forces, the breech-plug Of one of her
l4-pounder Hotchkiss guns blew out, in
stantly killing the gunner in cha rye.
BELIEVES TEE BATTLE TOOK PLACE.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24.-Julio Foster,
Secretary of the Chilean Congressional
Envoy at Washington, has reasons to be-
lieve that the report of the battle nea
Valparaiso is true. 81 am confident of a
complete victory" said he. IF we have
captured Vina del NJ ar and Fort Callao
it is the end of Balmaceda's power If we
fail to capture Fort Callao The war will
continue. We will fight until Balmaceda
is vanquished."
Mr.. Foster complains bitterly of the
treatment the Congressional party has
received at the hands of the United States.
1--WE have not been treated with common
politeness," said he. 1.-The officials have
refused to sneak with usu