The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-05
RETURN OF
THE RUNAWAY.
She Arrives at San Diego With
the Charleston.
Tie Story Of the Itata's Flight South and
Her Surrender in the Port
Of IqHique.
Special to The MORNING. CALI

SAN DIEGO, July 1.-The cruiser Charles
ton and the Itata were sighted off Coro-
rado Beach at O'clock this morning. and
al 9o'aock the Itata steamed slowly in to
the harbOr. flying the Chilean colors and
her rigging and spars gayly decorated with
bunting. There was no excitement on
board the vessels, and the crews gathered
fn the forward decks and gazed silently at
the crowds assembling on the wharYes. No
one has been allowed on board the Itata
since her arrival, as orders were issued from
the Charleston to allow no one on board
until such time as she might be delivered to
the authorities. Several passengers took
advantage Of the return Of the vessel from
Iquique to secure passage. These came
ashore with several of the Itata's officers.
and from one and another the following
facts IN regard to the departure of the Itata
from this port and incidents other trip to
IquiQue were CLEANED
HOW SHE LEFT SAN DIEGO.
That the ltata came to San Diego to lay
in supplies and secure arms on the schooner
Robert and Minnie was not denied. The
Esmeralda had accompanied her well up
the coast aUd transferred her Commander
10 the ltata, then returning to the vicinity
of Acapulco until tbs return of the Itata
The story Of how the Itata left this port
has been told, but according to information
received to-day it WAS slightly exaggerated
IN respect to the cannon carried by the
Itata. The only piece she ever had on board
Is an old three-inch howltzer, used as sig
nal gun, and it is on board now. On reaching
the open sea the vessel sailed northwest and
met the schooner near San Clumente Island
and took aboard 5000 rifles and ammunition.
Fully aware Of what she had done and ex-
Deciing pursuit, she crowded on all steam
and headed away for the south to join her
armored consort. This she succeeded in
doing off Acapulco, where
a COUNCIL OF WAR WAS HELD
The officers of the two vessels gathered
in the cabin Of the Itata and discussed the
matter for some time. In the light of
events ii was decided that should they be
oyerhauled by the pursuing vessel it would
not do for American arms TO be found on
the Esmeralda. As the l;ata was only a
merchantmen no serious harm could come
Of their being found on her. Therefore it
was thought best for the Itata to proceed at
once TO lquique and deliver the arms to the
Insurgents al that point. Hardly had this
stroke OF diplomacy been decided upon
Shen the lookout reported smoke in the
northern horizon directly astern and it ap-
reared 10 be from vessel under full steam.
The two vessels parted company, the Itata
starting away for The south under full
pressure, while the Esmeralda leisurely bore
away for Acapulco.
GAVE HER THE SLIP.
The Charleston sighted the Esmeralda
and headed on the latters course. As she
drew nearer the eXultation of the Esmer-
ada's officers cOrrespondingiy increa sed
when the pGrsuer was found to be the
Charleston. They were overjoyed at hay-
ing diverted her from her course and given
The Itata an opportunity 20 drop under the
horizon out of sight. The officers of the
Charleston. however, made no sign of dis
appointment. They were satisfied that