The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-08
CHILEAN AFFAIRS.
Power Assumed by the Presi-
dent Of the Republic.
Balmaeada Running Things at a High
Rate OF Speed.
How Squad Of So Called Volunteers
We're Brought In With
Handouts On.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

SAN DIEGO, Aug. Efforts are being
made to have the Pensacola remain in San
Diego Harbor until after the Grand Army
encampment, which occurs next week.
Unless the War Department so orders, the
Pensacola will sail north tomorrow. In
conversation with an officer of thu PeEsa-
cola to-day considerable infor nation was
obtained as to the cause of the Chilean
trouble. "rhe fact is" he said, "the in
fernal Constitution of Chile is the real
cause of the war. Chile is not republic a
little bit, although they CAL it so. For in
stance, the Constitution provides when a
man is elected President lie can just raise q
rumpus and there is no power to punish
him. He cannot be impeached and he can
not be prosecuted. When he accepts the
Office he takes an oath not to leave the
country for one year after the ex-
piration of his term. During that year
the people might get him for any
offense he has committed when Presi-
dent, but as matter of fact
they are not allowed to do this. for at the
end of the regular term of five years the
President nominateS his own successor. and
as the President has the entire Government
machinery in his own control his nominee is
always elected, even if people have to be
thrown into Jail so the election can be car
rled. In this way Balmaceda has just .-
mated and elected one of his Cabinet
named Ficuna. Now you see the e-.
When the Presidents term e
pire he goes to some frierf ard
my term of Office is ali -ra l-
must name succes
thunder while
enough. bp' 20 .th
any pre- al go
out Ssiden' sfrlena
" Zee TO prevent any
.iil settle it, and the
:, while the people will
@ der what they are for
war broke out things have
at a higher rate than ever. 1t
me one day when heard some re-
> were provided for Balmaceda's army.
Grple were not anxious to enlist, so they
sent out a detachment of cavalry TO round
UP anu bring them in about tie same as our
cowboys would lasso a herd of cattle. They
caught 400 that way, and the recruiting fiji
Ger sent'a note to the Commander to which
the recruits were consigned, saying: 1 send
you 400 volunteers. Please return the hand
cuffs The idea of volunteers in hand
GUNS was new one. AT alOLuer Time q
Colonel had his regiment drawn up. He
rode out and informed the men that the next
morning they would start on two days
march and then have an engagement with
Congressional soldiers. If there is any
reason why any of You do not want to go,
slip out of the ranks and say So, he con-
cluded. Seven of the poor wretches stepped
out and SAID they did not want to 60, and
they didn't 60. Those seven were straight
way backed up against brick wall and
shot. My conclusion was, continued the
officer. that the Congressional party ad-
vocates worthy reforms which ought to be,
and doubtless will be, adopted. either as
result of this war or through political legis-
lation; but 1t is good country to keep
away from right now
Talking about people," he said, quite
large proportion OF the business is done by
Englishmen, Scotchmen, Irishmen and
Americans. For instance, I found Fred
May there selling oil. Fred May will be
remembered for years as one OF the high
rollers of New York. He is the man who
slapped the face of James Gordon Bennett
and was high-tOned and big muscled ter
ror OF the fashionable resorts of the East
for quite season. One of his last moves
was to batter policeman who undertook to
arrest him. For this offense the Grand
Jury found an indictment against him. He
is now heard from as an oil-dealer III Chile"
GENOA. Aug. THE Balmacedan cruiser
Presidente Pinto has left this port and
shaped course in westerly direction. On
the eve Of sailing number of sailors de-
serted from her.
PARIS, Aug IA telegram received here
to-day from BuenOs Ayres asserts that Chile
will declare war against Bolivia, because
the Government of the latter country has
recognized the Congressional party of Chile
as belligerent.