Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-05-28
Itata Speculation.


close of business hours no news was re-
ceived at tie navy department of the
Charleston and 90 far as the officials
there know the Itaia is still at liberty.
Commodore Ramsay, acting secretary, this
afternoon said he did not know where the
Charleston was and that the only news
the department had received to-day was
the arrival of the cruiser San Francisco
at Iquique, in northern Chill. As this
vessel is to figure in the chase in case the
1tata escapes the Charleston, her
movements are of some Importance. As
the days of the chase run along, new
factor appears which will doubtless re-
suit speedily in betraying the movements
of pursuer and pursued. The Itata
started from San Diego last Wednesday
evening-six days ago-and, if pushed to
her highest speed, must be nearly out of
coal, so that she must soon put into port
somewhere to replenish her bunkers.
The Charleston, like most swift cruisers,
was obliged to sacrifice some coal carry
ing capacity for the sake Of boiler and
engine room and gun-carrying capacity.
With full bunkers she can carry 800 tons,
but, If she has been driven at full speed,
she must have burned IT'S tons every "a
hours, which would give full steam
power for but four and one half days.
She has now been out three and one half
days, and, although it is known that she
lay at anchor at least one night, her coal
supply is probably running so low it
would be hazardous for her-a vessel
without sail power-to continue much
longer at sea. So some news of one or
both of the vessels may be expected very
soon when they put into port for coal.
This will probably be a Mexican port
and Immediately may be expected to
arise an important question for deter1ni-
nation of the Mexican government, and
that is the status Of the Itata. Some
comment was caused among the state
department people by telegraphed state
ment that the Chilian insurgent cruiser
Esmeralda is now at Acapulco. The
fact that her presence in port is toler.
ated is regarded here by some officers as
quaisi-recognition by the Mexican gov.
eminent of insurgents as belligerants. II
this recognition should take. forma
shape it might have important results
for insurgents, for, under the neutrality
laws, their vessels would find an asylum
in the Mexico ports and might take sup
plies, although not permitted to TAXI
aboard munitions of war or make an.
Mexican port the base of operations
| 4
oughly defined in the Alabama case and i
is said in addition to the precedent set b.
J Great Britain in recognizing insurgent
as belligerents, the Mexican government
: has not the kindest feelings toward tn
present Balmaceda administration il
} Chill.
THE CHARLESTON GAINING.
Cry OF MEXICO, May 1.-THE Chi
lian steamer Itata is sailing under diff
Guilty and the United States war ship
| gaining on her. It is expected the tw
vessels will reach Acapulco within fe,
! hours of each other.
/, WILD RUMoR.
, Cry OF MEXICO, May 1.-THE Angl
!. American (newspaper) publishes rumor
of the sinking of the Itata by the Unite
States cruiser Charleston, but gives n
time nor place. The authorities her
say they have no information of tn
| matter whatever.
OTHER CONTRABAND CARRIERS.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 12.-It is no,
{ stated that the schooner Robert an
Minnie" is not the only vessel chartere
!, to convey arms and ammunition to th
Chilian insurgents, but that other vessel
], chartered are now unwilling to ship Ger
traband goode or have put into Oaklan
creek on the other side Of San Francisc
DAY until it is demonstrated whethe
!, such cargoes can safely be taken ou
j The United States district attorney ha
d definitely ascertained the roads owe
;. which large quantity Of the guns an
ammunition which formed the cargo {
the Robert and Minnie came into th
state and it is said the federal author
ties will endeavor to compel the railwa
II "a 81 IL xl~ls