New-York tribune., 1891-05-09
THE FLIGHT OF THE ITATA
POLICY OF THE WASHINGTON AUTHORITIES
STILL UNKNOWN.


THE CHARLESTON REMAINS IN SAN FRANCISCO
HARBoR-A PERPLExING DOUBT ABOUT
THE RIGHT TO SEIZE THE CHIMAN
STEAMER ON THE HIGH SEAS.
Washington, May s-The policy Of the Govern.
ment with respect to the escaped Chliian vessei
Itata is still an official secret. There can be no
doubt of the fact that the Government ex'
tremely anxious to exhibit all possible zeal in the
effort to recapture the vessel, in order to avoid
any unpleasant consequences that might arise
through the presentation of claim for damages
In behalf of the Chilian Government. But Naval
officers are very sceptcal Of the ability OF our
ships 20 recapture the Itata under the @<cum-
stances attending her fight. II is not possible 10
net q definite answer TO the question. Wih inc
Charleston be sent after the 1tata? The Charies-
ton two weeks ago was ordered to coal ana ge'
ready lor sea at the earliest moment Inc Ior-
maities attending the Presidents reception al San
Francisco necessarily delayed these preparations;
but IL is understood that they are now acu'ev
under way Single-handed even the feet Charies-
ton would have great difficulty in catching the
Itata The latter vessel may be 500 niles aheao on
the Charleston when the latter starts ON the cnas
and variation of point or two OF the compass ia
vessels by many leagues, so that the Charles
ton might pass the Itata without knowing Ia
On this account it is probable that if the Navy de-
nartment is really satisfied of its right to seize
the Chilian vessel on the high seas. and Is 10
termined to do SO, it must rely largely on tne
United States vessels in the South. SO FAR, III ID
said that no move has been made In thai direc-
ton: but the Department may at any momeho
cable TO Admiral McCann, who is on the Cniiian
coast with the Pensacola and the Baltimore anu
70 Admiral Brown who is on the San FRANCISCO
somewhere of Peru, to endeavor to head OH tne
runaway.
The San Francisco stoU printed this morning
TO the effect that Balmacedas armed uahspor"
Imperiale is lowering off the coast OF California.
70 capture the Itata, is said at the Navy Depart
ment to be without foundation, for Admiral NC
Cams last report showed that month ago
the Imperiale was shut up in Valparaiso harbor by
the insurgent feet and it would be manifestly I'M
rossible for her TO have reached California in a
month. 49,
The dispatches from Chilli this morning throw
a peculiar side.light OH the war, being TO the
effect that President Balmaceda has directed tho
suspension of all paper payments to the uoVerh-
ment In the future he procaims, during tne
| present emergency, payments OF revenue anu
other dues to the Government must be made IN
| silver A naval officer today pointed out tne
fact that this meant good deaL ana mlgho lhai'
cate a certain amount of shrewd precaution on
the part of Balmaceda, who may be preparing FOR
| an abdication Such an act would, OF COURSE
end the war in favor Of the insurgents
Tn the matter of the international law involved,
il would seem as though the State Department IS
not in entire accord with the rest Of the Admins
tration. for both Attorney General Miller ana
Secretary Tracy lean to the belief that the vesse
Itata is legitimate prey.
The question of the right of the United States
to take the Itata on the high seas is not aogener
settled The State Department people are incnned
| to doubt the right The whole question arises
from a DISPUTE as to the character OF the vessel
| Were she pirate, ship in the service OF an
| enemy to this country, or vessel OF AMERICAN
reaister engaged in acts in violation Oh treaty
stipulations the case would be simple one. Du'
she is merely Chilan vessel engaged IN 'he trahS
portation of suspected cargo o cargo tna' may
nossibly be contraband in the light OF the treaty.
and there is grave risk involved. No one DOUBTS
the right Of the United States to arrest the VeSse
in our own waters for purpose of examination ana
,,er detention Tuesday afternoon was in accord
| orce with this belief But now that she mas
| landed the Deputy Marshal and sailed along on on
| her business, she may prove hornet ,ha' WA
| sting III after years. c. rorc;soo IN tia
n nf
| effect that Richard Trumbull, MEMBER Oh tns
Chilian revolutionary Congress- has oeen ad arreSoedd
! there No knowledge Of such an act nas IcaSneN I
the DEPARTMENT of Justice. 1t is stated there
| that il would be an easy cater LOT any one "
| cause the arrest of Trumbull on tne enaIsy =. ~
violating the neutrality laws. The Msrshai 10
| bound to recognize order TO tins enecc COL,
| tained in an ainformaton" or complaint swoLa ia
| 70 by any citizen. In case there Is a uil'oaho i
| and false arrest, there is redress ohy III ,,s
| form of a suit at law against tne Ihiolniano'
The Marshal Is not fcsPonsi1Se ,,.o c.r,orn,a-
| alleges that il has information that the CniNu
States steamer Charleston VIII SAIL ior oah DTpo ~
shortly in pursuit Of the Chlllan snip Itata. Inc
Charleston left Mare Island yesleraaS s Ina anu Ser
| chored off San Francisco. Instead OF taxing ner
nsnal anchorage she went behind Goat Island ouo
| of sight One Of the officers OF the cruiser wno
was ashore to-day, was seen regarding Uhe s.ots
that the Charleston had been 0rdered IN purISSs SS
of the Itata He stated that the Charleston had
left Mare Island for gun practice, but In the mean,
| time had been placed by the orders OF the Naval
| Department at the disposal OF the commlttse
having in charge the obseques OF Minister Hwli@
| In the event of orders being issued from wash
| inqton to pursue the Itata they would be re.
| ceiyed in cipher and lothing be known as to the
vessels destination until she was well on the way.
| Marshal Cards chief deputy. IT Is learned 70
| night. has been Detective Harry n. Morse, OF
| San Francisco who has been orking on the casa
| since the start, under assumed name:
| San Diego, Cal. May s.-Marshal Cards party,
who expected to leave here for the north s tnis
TO remain here. They will give no information as
| to what the special order contained, put u was
| intimated that they expected TO await the ar
| rival Of the United States cruiser which mghS
| be ordered in pursuit OF the ltata
BALMACEDA PLANNING TO LEAVE CHILL.
| SAID TO BE GOING TO LONDON. WHERE HE HAS
INVESTED LARGE SUM-.