The morning call., 1891-08-30
THE REVOLUTION TRIUMPHANT.

On Wednesday last on receipt of the
news of the battle of Aconcagua, THE CALL
observed that :" in a day or two, the Con-
stitutOnals in Chile will fight their way into
the city of Valparaiso, and rely upon the
demoralization of the Government forces
which will result from the capture of the
outworks. The appearance of their flag in
the streets will lead to a general stampede
among Balmaceda's troops"
The prediction was verified two days
afterward on Friday, the 2Stb. The only
variation from the programme was that the
conflict was precipitated by Balmaceda's
forces. 1t seems that General Canto cut the
railroad which runs from Valparaiso to
Santiago. thus severing the Government
army in two. The Balmacedists had no
alternative but to endeavor to regain pos
session of the road. SO as to restore their
connections. 1t may also be surmised that
they were not easy at Valparaiso. sur
rounded by a population that was either
hostile or lukewarm. Impelled By these
incentives, Bamaceda's army moved out of
the city at daylight on Friday, and flung
themselves on Canto's intrenchments. The
operation can only have been inspired by
despair A line Of works. defended by an
adequate force, armed with modern weapons,
cannot easily be taken by force attacking
it on foot, unless the defenders of the line
are seized with panic and run away. But
it will probably turn out that Canto's posi-
tiOn could not be turned. Eis rear was
covered by hills, and every emnence was
probably crowned with guns. The Balma-
cedists had to attack the intrenchments in
front, If they were going to attack at all;
they did so, and, as was inevitable, they
were hurled back with frightful slaughter,
their two leading generals being left on
the field.
The moment they turned to fly Canto's
troops leaped the intrenchments and fol-
lowed in hot pursuit, while their artillery
maintained their fire from the heights. The
result was rout. A soldier of ordinary fore
sight, realizing that defeat is always posi-
BILE, would have provided an interior line of
works in the suburbs of the city, behind which
the beaten Bamacedists might reform
and continue the struggle. Nothing Of this
kind seems to have been done. Fugitives
and pursuerS appear to have entered the
suburbs together, and the shattered frag-
ments of Balmaeedas organizations made
haste TO desert to the enemy. No attempt
at resistance was made by the Dictator's
friends
About 10 O'clock after the battle had
lasted five hours, Governor Viel surrendered
the city to General Canto, who entered at
noon surrounded by his staff. The foreign
ships-of-war had already landed blue-jack-
cts and marines 10 maintain order, but Gen
eral Viel felt that the danger was so immi-
nent that larger force was necessary. The
conqueror's dispositions were taken so
promptly and so skillfully that no sack took
place and no lives were taken. Balmaceda's
men fell into the ranks under Canto, aud no
disorders were suffered. The usurper's per-
sOnal representative, President-elect Vicu-
ma, sought refuge on board German ship
of-war.
Thus the revolution has been successful.
Balmaceda has still an army at Santiago,
but lie is like rat in trap. He cannot re-
main where he is with any degree of COM
fort, nor can he get out without walking
into the hands of his enemies. Santiago
would be cnl de sac but for the railroad to
Valparaiso, aud that is in the possession of
the revolutionists. He has some force at or
near Coqutmbo, but they will not undertake
to protraet the struggle on their own ac-
count. The chances are that the Dictator
will bid his men lay down their arms and
accept the decree of fate. Representatives
say that Balmaceda will not be harmed, and
will be allowed to retire to foreign country.
THE CALL hopes that this will be so. But
:he fate Of defeated party leaders in the
civil wars of Spanish America has always
been doubtful.
There is but one item of the news which
cannot be read with pleasure by Americans.
That is the announcement that when the
COngressionals have re-established their
Government one of their first acts will be to
send Mr.. Egan his passports. The rumors
to which THE CALL alluded the other day
regarding his open sympathy with Balma-
ceda have since been confirmed, and unpleas-
ant stories are afiuat about his completely in
the financial operations by which the ex-
Dictator sought to sustain his cause. If
the charges against Egan are supported by
evidence he will not continue to represent
the United States at the capital OF foreign
power. 1t is TO be hoped that he can dis
prove them. Even those who questioned
the wisdom of his appointment in view of
his antecedents would deplore his disgrace.