The Hawaiian gazette., 1891-06-09
The War in Chile.

The War in Chile.
The rebellion in Chile still goes merri.
ly on and there is little prospect OF its
coming to close at an early date. Sec
rotary OF the Navy Tracy, in speaking Of
the situation few days ago, said: For
some time past the Governments oil
France and Brazil have been co-operat-
ing with the Government OF the United
States to secure restoration OF peace in
Chile. Therefore, il it should be made
apparent to the United States Govern
ment through the suggestions OF the
French Government, or otherwise, that
the subject tor which the three great re-
publics are now striving, the restoration
OF peace in Chile, can be brought within
reach by relaxing the pursuit of the Itata,
it may be this course would be adopted,
especially as itcan now be asserted that
the United States has used due dill
gence IN its effort to preserve an honor
able neutrality"
Reports from Lima, Peru, under date
of May %. bring late news OF the recent
battle in the harbor of Valparaiso be-
tween the forts the two torpedo boats of
the Ralmaceda party and the insurgent
cruiser Blanca Encalada. The engage
ment grew out OF an attempt OF the IRON
clad to blow up tug containing Govern
ment dispatches, and the battle took
place at night. The torpedo intended
for the tug missed its mark and struck
big dry dock, blowing it to atoms. This
resulted in broadside from the forts,
and the Encalada steamed out to the
mouth ofthe harbor, out of range She
was accompanied by the insurgent sloop-
of-war O'Higgins. One of Government
torpedo boats started in pursuit of the
rebel war vessel, but were driven back
by the latter, which kept in hot pursuit
and succeeded in sinking the tug, and
later destroyed the torpedo boat, all
hands on board being lost. The rebels
then opened fire on the notifications. At
last shell from the forts struck the
O'Higgins, going clear through her.
This was followed few minutes later
by terrible explosion on deck. 1t was
caused by heavy shell striking one OF
the guns on the quarter deck. When the
smoke had cleared away it was seen that
the deck was literally torn out OF the yes
sci, the guns were lying on the other side
OF the deck and nine men out OF the guns
crew OF twelve were blown to atoms.
The sloop was at once taken out OF
range OF the guns OF the fort. The Blanco
kept firing for some time, but did no
damage, and she too retired from the
fight 1t was in her next fight, in the
bay OF Caldera on April 23d, that the
Blanco was sunk.
Regarding this the Governor OF Chau-
aral on April oath received the following
dispatch from Cornelio Saavedra at Cal
dera: g The catastrophe has been COM
plete. We were surprised by the torpedo
boats at O'Clock in the morning and we
could not get out OF their way, as the
ironclad was fastened to buoy. Severa!
torpedoes were fired at the Blanco, but
only the last succeeded in hitting her.
81 In the engagement we lost the secre-
tary of the feet, Senior Vergara, Lieuten-
ant Aguilar, Captain Guzman, all the
engineers and most OF the crew. Alto
gether not quite 100 persons were saved.
The shipwrecked men are enjoying good
health"
Latest advices say that commerce is
paralyzed in Valparaiso, Santiago and
other principal centers, and even the
personal liberty OF foreigners is en6an-
gered, for the Government has ordered
that all strangers residing in Chile must
become members OF the National Guard.