The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-05-19
THECHARLESTONO OFF
The Cruiser Resumes Her Chase
of the Itata.
HAS COAL FOR A TEN DAYS RUN.

The Esmeralda Forced to Remain
for Lack of Fuel-Pcrhaps She and
the Itata Have Already Met-The
Latter Believed to Be on the Coast
of Central America.
ACAPULCO, Mex, May 10. - The
United States cruiser Charleston has left
Acapulco after filling Eer bunkers with
coal. She steered general southerly
course, in the direction supposed to have
been taken by the Itsta. No one here
knows what the cruisers plans are, as
Capt. Remey kept his own counsel and
said nothing of his intended route.
The prohibition of the Mexican gov
ernment against selling the Esmeralda
coal is still in force, but it is said that
it may be removed, especially as the Es-
meralda's officers have hopes of estab-
fishing telegraphic credit at New York
or Paris. Should they succeed it is not
thought they will have any difficulty in
paying for coal with drafts thus tele-
graphically accepted, nor is it thought
likely that the Mexican government
"OhAU OAACi EClttdhy BlObtCuto u utdltE
who received such drafts in payment for
fuel.
How the Chilean Ships Met.
The opinion is general here that the
Esineralda communicated with the Itata
just outside the harbor and received
from the transport a supply of provis-
ions, after which the Itata continued her
fight to the south.
Even if the Esmeralda secures credit
and permission to coal it will take her
two days to get the fuel aboard, so it
seems hardly probable that she will be
able to be present when the Charleston
overhauls the Itata.
The Charleston took on board suffi-
cient coal supply for ten days run at
the top of her speed, which should en-
able her to catch the Itata, provided she
is on the track of the fleeing vessel.
The Itata's Chance.
Interest in the chase of the Itata now
seems to center in the vicinity of PAN
anna. It may be possible that the Esmer-
aida did communicate with the Itata
and returned to her station off Aca-
pulco to await the Charleston, learn all
she could of her movements and then
remain as "bllnd." Allowing that the
Itaba steams only nine knots an hour
when the Charleston left Acapulco she
was about 400 miles ahead of her pur-
suer.
fat low estimate the Charleston
makes fourteen knots an hour she gains
100 knots day on the Itata, and hence
will not come up with her until tonight
at the earliest, The Esmeralda is no
longer factor in the chase, and her fu-
ture lies in her being able to got suffic-
lent coal to carry her to another rem
devious.
The Itata Not Yet Seen.
CRY OF MEXICO. May 19.-The Off
cials at Acapulco have telegraphed the
war department in answer to question,
that there is no probability of a conflict
between the Charleston and the Esmer-
aida, Nothing has been seen at Aca-
pulco of theItata aud it is believed that
she is now off the coast of Central Amer
lea, having been supplied by the Esmer-
aida with fuel.
Gen. Pedro Hinojaso, secretary of
war, declared to the United Press cor
respondent that Mexico only insists that
her neutrality be respected. He says his
orders are not to sell coal to the insur-
gent vessels and not allow them to load
in Mexican territory.
In an interview at Acapulco an officer
of the Esmeralda said: I'VE will try to
Btb COdl HGlt, Dlt II Illlb ID lllpDS5lDlt we
are sure of getting it within few hours
sail. We are not afraid of conflict
with the Charleston, but our orders are
to be prudent and not provoke conflict.
He did not know whether the EsmeraldR
would now go to Chile, but said the cap
tain of the vessel had received long ci-
pher dispatch on Saturday whic prob
ably directed her future movements"
Two Dcserters Give Testimony.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19.-It is stated
that two deserters from the steamer Hi
patia have given some interesting testi-
mony in regard to that vessel before the
grand jury ut Los Angeles, which is in
vestigating the Robert and Minnie case.
These men it is said, testified that when
the Itata started north she had on board
number of rifles, four sixty pound
guns, u crew of ninety seamen and sixty
soldiers. Two days before the vessel
steamed in San Diego all the munitions
of war and the soldiers were slowed
away in the forward hold. The pro-
gramme was for the Itata to get muni-
tions Of war from the Robert and Min
ME, 1t being so understood by all on
board and everybody was on the lookout
for the schooner. 1t was also trought
that is the intention of the Itata to trans
fer cargo to the Esmeralda at Pitchi-
lique on the east coast of Lower Cali
fornia.
Subpoenas have been issued by Solici-
tor Gen. Taft, who is conducting the in
vestigation on behalf of the government,
for superintendents of the Western
Union and Post telegraph. They will
be expected to produce the kilograms
that have passed over their lines in the
past month relating to Chilean affairs.
The Peruvian consul in this city Mr..
Halloway, contends that the Itata had an
ample supply of fuel when leaving San
Diego TO allow her to steam to Iquique,
and he is Of the opinion that the vessel
has gone direct to that point.
He Made a Fight for Liberty.
ELLrcorT Cry, Md, May 19.-Arthur