The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-06-11
THE ITATA.

THE lTAFA.
ured Fugitive Poor One Belief in Of
ficial Circles That She VIII he Liber-
ated. - .s's
IQUIQUE, June 6.-The Itata incident
is practically at an end. A prize crew
from the United States cruiser Charles
ton went aboard the long sought for
craft Friday morning and took formal
possession of it. The steamer
arrived in this port Thursday
morning and took up position
near the Charleston. Its long and
successful run from San Diego and
it's evasion of the United States war
ships insured it royal welcome from
the citizens of 1quique and it received
it. Contrary to the general impress
sion all of the arms and ammunition,
consisting of 5000 rifles and s,OO0,O 600
rounds of ammunition, which the
Itata received from the schooner
Robert and Minnie are still in
the hold Of the steamer and will
return to San Diego with it. just what
led the insurgents to surrender the
ship and arms is not known definitely
but the general opinion is that Admiral
McCann informed the authorities that
unless the cargo as we'll as the ship was
given up to him he, in conformity with
his instructions from the navy depart
ment, would take action to get them.
1t will be some time before the Itata
will be ready to start northward. Its
machinery is in bad shape and it is
wonder that it succeeded in getting to
Chilli at all. The congressional govern
ment has announced the arrival of the
Itata and its delivery to the war YES
sells in this document:
"The congressional party has acted in strict
honesty In making every atonement for having
violated the laws of the United States. In
communication addressed to Secretary Blaine
it has called his attention to the fact that the
Itata did not embark the arms at San Diego,
but did so after it had sailed from that port,
aid at that uninhabited island for from the
coast 1t asks that while the ltata goes to San
Diego the arms may remain here in custody Of
the American admiral until judgment is rem
dered by the California courts"
WASHINGTON, June GA cablegram
received from Admiral Mccain at
Iquique settles the status of the Itata.
The admiral says the transfer of arms
from the Robert and Minnie took place
not off San Diego but off St. Clements
island, which is outside the smile limit.
The proceedings were not, therefore,
according to the same authorities, in
violation of the neutrality laws.
The account which came from San
Francisco of the naval engagem ent in
Valparaiso harbor, stating that the in
surgent cruiser Magallancs sailed un-
der the guns Of the government forts
and almost annihilated the govern
ment boats, is received with incredulity
at the navy department. The officers
say they have no doubt if an engage
ment with such pronounced results
had taken place news would have
been promptly telegraphed to the
United States instead of taking the
slower course of the mail steamers.
Secretary Tracy says the next step
will be to send the ship back to the
United States to stand trial. There is
no expectation that the officers and
crew of the Itata will jeopardize their
liberty by returning with the vessel to
San Diego. AS it was reported
from Mexico that the commander
of the insurgent warship Esmer-
aida acted as captain of the
Itata as far as Acapulco there are at
least good reasons why he must not re-
turn to the United States. 1t may be
necessary for McCann to detail some of
his men to act as the crew. In official
circles it is believed that the Itata is
not likely to suffer heavily as the
result of her escapade. Credence
is given to the statement tele-
graphed from Chilli that the vessel
took the contraband arms and ammuni-
ton from the Robert and Minnie on the
high seas outside of United States juris-
diction. If this should be true her Of
fense against the neutrality laws is
minimized and it is very doubtful if
a case could be made out against her
in the present state of uncertain
construction of it. There is little
doubt that she can be held on
other charges, such as contempt Of
court in sailing away while under in
junction, kidnapping the marshal and
these are minor affairs whose punish
ment is likely to take the shape of
fines and not go to the length of for
feiture of the vessel.
Attorney General Miller said that
the department of justice would take
no action in the case of the Itata until
that vessel had been turned over to the
law officers of the government at San
Diego, Cal, when the course usual in
such cases would be followed-that is
to say she would be libeled and held
subject to the finding of the proper
legal tribunal.
LONDON, June 6.-The surrender of
the Itata to the American authorities
has caused sensation here second only
to the baccarat scandal. The oppo-
nents of Balmaceda, and that includes
Col. North and other Ditrate mag
mates, are deeply chagrined, while the
friends of the Chilian executive
are corresponding elated. At the Chill
ian consulate there was great re-
joicing. Secretary Orrego said there
was great hope that the loss of the 1tata
and the arms on board of her would
seriously cripple the rebellion and
hasten its overthrow, which, however,
was certain before long. Senor Orrego
said the United States had given a
grand example to the world of the en-
ergetic enforcement of its laws against
the peace of a friendly nation,
and that the conduct of the Ameri-
can government could not fail to
command the respect of both Europe
and America.
STICKING TO BRIGGS.