The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-13
IN HOT PURSUIT.
The Charleston ChaSeS the Itata
Into Acapulco.
Chilean IESuTg8nt Vessels Will Not Be
HarbOred in Mexican Ports.
The United States Cruiser Sighted by the
Steamer Crescent City Orders to
Fight If Necessary.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

ACAPULCO, May 12.-The Itata is off Aca-
pulco making for this port, closely followed
by war-ship. supposed to be the Charles
ton 1t is thought the latter will overtake
her in few hours.
THE CHARLESTON GAMING.
CITY OF MEXICO, May 12-Tne Chilean
steamer Irata IS sailing under difficulty and
the United States war-ship is gaining on her
1t is expected the two will reach Acapulco
within few hours of each other.
Foreign Minister Marscal says that all
the necessary steps have been taken so that
when the Itata reaches any Mexican port
she will not be allowed to land. The Gov
ernment the Minister says, is resolved 10
observe strictly the treaty obligations with
Chile and will not harbor the insurgents.
SHE MEANS BUSINESS.
SAN DIEGO May 12.-The passengers on
the steamer Crescen. City, which arrived
from Cedros Island tonight. report that
when about ten miles below Ensenada last
night the cruiser Charleston was sighted
far out to sea. As soon as the officers on
the war-ship caught sight of the Crescent
City they changed their course and made
directly for her. As soon as the cruiser ap-
preached the captain of the Crescent City
raised the American flag and saluted with
out recognition. The Charleston lmmedi-
alely turned at right angles and steamed
away to the southwest and soon disap-
peaTed beyond the horizon. The Crescent
City's officers report seeing nothing of the
Itata.
STILL UNCONINIUNICATIYE.
WASHINGTON, May $3.50 far as surface
indications reveal the real state of affairs,
the Navy Department appears TO be less
agitated than other departments over the
escape of the Chilean steamer Itata. Secre-
taTy Tracy left Washington last night for
Binghamtou, \. y, TO look after some
private business and Commodore Ramsey is
left in charge. The Commodore was uu-
communicative as usual, aud stated briefly
that he had nothing to say about the .ltata
OF the Charleston.
MUST BE SHORT OF COAL.
Up to the close Of business hours no news
was received al the Navy Department Of
the movements Of the Charleston. The
Itata started from San Diego last Wednes-
day evening-six days ago-and if pushed
to the highest speed must be nearly out Of
coal so she must soon put into port some
where to replenisE her bunkers. The
Charleston, also. is probably nearly out Of
coal, and news from one or the other of the
vessels may be expected very soon.
NEW COMPLICATION.
Some comment has been caused among
the State Department people by the tele-
graphed statement that the Chilean insur-
gent cruiser Esmeralda is now at Acapulco.
The fact that her presence in port is toler-
Ated is regarded here by some officers as a
Quasi-recOgnition by the Mexican Govern
meDt Of the insurgents as beligereGtS. If
this recognition should take formal shape it
might have important results for the in
sur-ents, for under the neutrality laws
their vessels would find an asylum in MeX-
can ports.
REGARDED As SENSATIONAL.
Navy Department officials give slight
CTedeuce 10 the waTlike dispatches from the
Pacific Coast So far as can be learned no
encounter between United States vessels
and the Chilean Navy is anticipated,
and it nay be stated that none Of
our American vessels engaged in
pursuit Of the Itata are expected
10 use force. No provision, however has
been omitted to place the United States
vessels on a war footing, and any violent
action on the part of the Chilean insur-
gents will certainly be effectively met, The
department Is kept constantly advised of
the condition OF affairs in Chile. The move
ments Of the insurgents are closely observed
and reported by Admiral McCann.
The @ vernment of Chile, il is felt in
Washington, can be depended upon for little
aid IN the event of action upon the seas,
even 4 the encounter were in a Chilean
haTbnr. Tie rebels virtually possess the
naval fer es of Chile. There is
feeling in some quarters that the desire Of
the rebels 10 secure possession of the Itata
has become exaggerated by the sense of
apprehension natural under the circum-
stances TO this Government. 1t is held, on
the other hand, tnat the Itata contains sup
plies necessary 10 the successful prosecution
Of the rebellion.
SECRETARY TRACY TALKS.
BNGHAMToN N. y, May u. - Secre-
tary Tracy Is in this city. In an Interview
with a reporter Tonight he talked about the
ltata incident. he secuted the idea that
the Charleston is inferior to the Esmeralda.
True, the EsmeTalda carried two ten-inch
guns, while the ChaTeStOn's heaviest guns
were only eight-lnch, bat the latter had a
larger number Of siX-iuch guns, while her
armament was four inches thick and the
Esmeralda'S only one and A half inches
The Charleston was accordingly fully able
10 COPE with the EsmeTa!da, as were two
other United States cruisers now in the
Pacific.
WILL FIGHT, IF NECESSARY.
The Secretary stated definitely that the
Charleston has orders to capture the Itata
wherever she may be found upon the high
seas he did not anticipate fight, but in
case Of resistance the United States cruiser
would carry out her orders at all hazards
He was not at liberty TO state the exact text
OF the cipher dispatch sent to the Charleston,
neither would he say definitely il the cruiser
San Francisco. which is now in Chilean
waters, had been ordered to intercept the
Itata.