Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-11-20
ADMIRAL BROWN,
Of the 0. S. Pacific Squadron, Tells
About Chilean Affairs.
HE DID NOT AID THE INSURGENTS
Nor Did Hs Cut the 0able-Many Of the False
Reports, Circulated Concerning the United
States Squadron, Dsnisd-Arrival OF
the San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO, November 19.-The
United States cruiser San Francisco,
flag ship of the Pacicf squadron, which
left here April for Chile, returned
this morning. The vessel was present
at the closing scenes Of the Chilean rev.
olution.
Admiral Brown, in an interview with
a representative of the associated Press
said that the fall of Valparaiso after the
defeat OF Balmaceda forces at Vina Del
Mar by the Congressional forces under
Gen. Canto, was attended with scenes
OF carnage and rapine. The reports OF
the bombardment Of Iquique, the Ad-
miral stated, had been much exagger-
ated. Concerning the actions of the
San Francisco and whether she had
given Balmaceda information in regrrd
to the landing OF the Insurgents at
Quintero, the Admiral refused to talk
at any length.
"While at Acapulco" said he, 81 sent
full report concerning all the actions
of the San Francisco to the Secretary
of the Navy. l think it will reach there
to-day or tomorrow and cannot antici-
pate the departments action in the mat
ter. The effect of the landing OF the
revolutionists at Quintero, was known in
Valparaiso long before we left the city,
in fact long before either Minister Egan
or my officers knew of it,"
"How about the Baltmore's cutting
the cable at Iquique?" was asked.
1.-The Baltimore did not cut the cable
at all, replied the Admiral.
THE insurgents had possession OF
Iquique and refused to allow any mes
sageS from Valparaiso to pass through
to Lima. The Balmaceda government,
which was the only government in Chill,
warned the cable company that unless
they opened communication with Lima
according to contract they would for
felt their charter, and all their privi-
leges.
"The company explained the facts to
the insurgents and made every possible
offer to induce them to let Balmaceda's
messages pass through but all in vain;
then the company decided to cut the
cable"
"You have, no doubt heard OF the
charges made against you by the Con-
gressionalists?"
"Oh, yes" said the Admiral, smiling.
what have you to say about them?"
was asked.
''There is nothing to be said, as moth
ing of the kind ever took place. They
declared, among other things, that Bal
maceda was on board my ship, but |
suppose they are satisfied now that he
was not, since he killed himself in the
rooms Of the Argentine legation at San
tiago.
''The general impression was that the
President wSH concealed in a convent
by thes Archbishop. Had he come on
board the San Francisco / would GER
tainly have given him refuge. There
was no chance for him to escape, how
ever, as every avenue was guarded by
soldiers OF the Junta."
"What do you think of Minister
Egan?" was asked.
'He conducted himself through the
entire trouble with the dignity demand
ed by his position. No man situated as
he was could have done more. Some
criticism was made against him, see,
for not sending official dispatches con-
firming the capture Of Valparaiso, but
thew did not understand the condition
of affairs. Mr.. Egan was at Santiago,
and all communication between that
place and Valparaiso was shut off for
several days. The news reached the
Minister in a round about wav, and he
teIegraphed to Washington, but he was
ignorant of the fact that the wires were
down."