Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-26
The Steamers Trial Vir-
tually Commenced.
More Nonsensical Legal Pro
ceedingS Yesterday.
The Purser's Clerk Gives Some In
teresting Testimony.
The Trip Down to Iquique-The Story
of the Cannon on Board = Three
COMMUNICATIVE Itata Never
.. Ship of War.

of the United States district court,
although technically it was merely the
taking of the depositions of the officers
of the steamer to be used on the trial in
October.
1t was the idea OF the counsel for the
Itata to have Judge Ross hear the testi-
mony OF the officers, and see the wit
nesses, and it was with that idea in
view that the motion was made. The
time was set for IL O'Clock yesterday
morning, and at that time Judge Ross
continued the matter until the after
noon. When he confronted the assem-
bled counsel and witnesses at 2 O'Clock,
however, Judge Ross announced that
he preferred to follow the usual pro-
cedure in the taking of depositions
that is, that they should be taken be-
fore the clerk of the court.
Stephen M. White thought it would
only be fair for the court to see the
witnesses.
Judge Ross again stated that upon
reflection he would prefer to have the
usual procedure and have the depo-
sitions taken in the usual way.
Mr.. White still requested the court to
hear the testimony.
Judge Campbell said he did not want
to have the witnesses for the other side
heard and not the governments.
Mr.. White said they were virtually
going on with the trial. The result would
be that when the case comes up for trial
the witnesses for the government will
be before the court, and only the depo-
sitions for his side Of the case will be
on hand.
Judge Ross again said he would ad-
here to the usual procedure in such cases
and adjourned court until Monday next,
leaving the court room.
The taking of dispositions was then
proceeded with before Clerk Owen, of
the district court. Mr.. De Cells was
sworn as interpreter, and it was stipu-
lated that all depositions taken by either
party NAV be used in any or all OF the
cases, upon the trial, with like effect as
though the person was present and tes-
tifying. The government was repre-
sented by District Attorney Cole and
Judge Alex. Campbell, while the Itata
had for counsel Stephen M. White and
George j. Denis. Hon. w. w. Good
rich, of New York, represented the
company, owners of the much-libeled
6UtdIutTs Liz Ol1CcI6 VI bllO 1b3bh W6Tc
all present, and few spectators. After
some minutes spent in whispered asides
by the actors in the drama or comedy,
whichever is most appropriate, the tax
ing of the dispositions began.
THE PuRsER's CLERKS STORY.
William Ebell. a slim, bright-looking
young man, being sworn, testified as fol-
lows: My name is William Ebell. l
am IS years old, and am purser's clerk
on the Itata. My residence is Peru.
shipped at Callao. Captain Mannzen
was captain OF the Itata when | first
boarded her. We went from Callao to
Valparaiso. was on board when the
Itata came to San Diego, May 9th. The
Itata was there two days. When
we went out of San Diego
there was brass cannon, an
iron cannon which was useless. and eight
or ten rifles always used, on board. The
rifles were Oh the steering roof. They
were old guns. Ii you fire them off the
stock part splits. The rifles were there
when | first went aboard. The brass
cannon was salute gun. It is on board
now We took the iron gun aboard at
Iquique, when we were coming here. 1t
is six-pounder. The gun is forward.
1uSIG WAS nO 1OI
the gun. There were no loaded cannon
or ammunition for cannon when we left
San Diego.
There were no armed soldiers aboard
the Itata at San Diego, neither were
there any arms while we were there.
We got coal for the Itata while at San
Diego. None of it was used for any
other purpose than for the ltata. l do
not know how much was left when we
reached Iquique. but we took on coal to
return to San Diego.
There were three officers and ten men
of the Charleston on board the Itata on
the return trip to San Diego. L do not
remember their names. We touched at
Tocopilla on the road down. None of
the cargo was discharged there; abso-
lutely none Of it. When the steamer
reached Iquique it had aboard every
thing it started from San Diego with,
except the coal burned and provisions
consumed. AT Iquique no rifles were
discharged, but provisions were taken
off. American war vessels were all
around the Itata there. The Baltimore.
San Francisco and Charleston were
about half block away while the pro-
visions were being discharged.
officers from the American war ves-
sells were Oh UOdTQ aD I'LL CllueS dll0r our
arrival at Iquique. No provisions were
discharged until after the American Off
cers.had come aboard.
Judge Campbell cross-examined Mr..
Ebell. He questioned him about the
movements of the Itata before she
started for the United States. He
stated that the Itata was captured by
the Congressional party at Valparaiso
in January. She offered no resistance
except protest. After being captured
she was taken to Coquimbo. The Blanco
did not go with the Itata. The same
officers and crew remained on board.
She was employed as dispatch ship,
and afterwards as prison ship for the
Congressional party. The Itata was not
employed at any time in blockading any
port. After her capture she had other
guns on board. There we're two forward
and two stern; on the upper deck =
breech-loading guns.
These guns were taken on board at
Iquique. The Itata left in the direction
OF San Diego, and put off the guns at
Arico. The guns were taken on board
in March.
The Itata, said the witness, arrived at
Arico, April 10th. They went there to
leave the guns. They were not used at
all. Soldiers were on board being trans
ported to other vessels, at times.