New-York tribune., 1891-05-07
THE STEAMER 1TATA SEIZED.
HELD IN THE HARBOR OF SAN DIEGO BY A
UNITED STATES MARSHALL
ACTION TAKEN BY THE AUTHORITIES AT VASE
INGToN ON COMPLAINT OF THE
GILLIAN MINISTER - COLONEL
NORTH, THE NITRATE KING,
SUPPLYING FUNDS TO
THE TNSURGFyTS
THE INSURGENTS.


San Diego, Cal, May 6.-United States Marshal
Gard last night seized the Gillian steamer itata.
now receiving supplies in the harbor, and placed
Captain Mauzeum under arrest. kilograms have
been passing between this city and the Depart
nent at Washington, which brought about the
above results Tug-boats left here to seize the
two vessels seen outside, one Of which is sup
posed TO be the schooner Robert and Minnie, and
the other supposed warship, which have been
towering around the entrance TO the harbor to
receive the supplies taken board the Itata.
The warship was first sighted about noon yester-
day passing north Ten hours later she repassed
the harbor going south, layng-to just north OF
Coronado Islands. Customs Officer Berry sent .
party out TO investigate, who reported seeing 2
large vessel under steam which they could not
approach nearer than two miles account of her
steaming away from them Orders were received
from Secretary Blaine to seize both vessels II
found within the three-mile limit, and Marshal
Gard and Collector Berry went out last night In
different tugs for that purpose.
At midnight last night the Itata received forty
head of cattle, twenty-five head of sheep and
5000 pounds Of dressed meat from the ferryboat
Coronado. The vessel has also received other
stores, including 500 tons of coal. AS soon as
all the provisions and fuel were on board, she
expected to leave the harbor and cruise between
here and Catalina to meet the schooner Robert
and Minnie from which she was TO take the Rem-
ington rifles and ammunition. She was to sail
last evening.
Early this morning the Robert and Minnie was
sighted lying off San Diego harbor in Mexican
waters. The seizng party who went out last
night returned without making an attempt to
seize her. and are now awaiting orders from the
Attorney General at Washington.
The ltata still lies in midstream ready for
sailing The supposed Chilian warship seen
Yesterday turned out to be the Panama steamer
New-York, which for some cause steamed up to
the entrance of this harbor.
The captain of the ltata was allowed to 70
turn to his ship, which is in charge Of .
Deputy United States Marshal.
San Francisco, May Ga dispatch from San
Diego says: Developments to-day in the case
of the Chilian steamer Itata show pretty clearly
that English capitalists are back OF the Chlllan
insurgents and are furnishing coin to carry on
the war against Balmaceda Drafts presented
here by the captain of the Itata to paC for sup
plies and coal were drawn the Bank OF
London, Limited, and on the Bank OF Iarapaca.
Both are institutions which Colonel North, tho
nitrate millionaire, controls The bankers here
teleQraphed 10 Grace Il Co.'S agents In San FRAN
cisco asking whether these banks were sound
the parties drawn on might not be solvent. AS
Colonel North is known to be the controlling power
| in the Bank of Tanpaca these drafts connect him
directly with the movement 20 furnish arms and
| ammunition TO Chilian insurgents. Grace q 20.
have absolutely nothing to do with the scheme.
as the steamer Itata, several months ago, passed
out of their hands.
r. is now known positively that the mysterious
Chilian man of war seen about San Diego harbor
is the Imperiale, one of Balmaceda's vessels.
which is lying off the port warlng
TO capture the and ammunition should
tbev he carried outside The Itata is still in the
| harbor with a United States Marshal on board.
| but the schooner Robert and Minnie, is In
| Mexican waters just below the San Diego line"
RETICENT OFFICIALS AT WASHINGTON.
PROVISIONS OF THE REVISED STATUTES UNDER
WHICH THE SEIZURES AT SAN DIEGO
WERE MADE.
Washington May speciaD.-The reported seizure
by the United states Marshal for the Southern District
OF California of the steamship Itata which put into tho
mort OF san Diego few days ago for the 0Sensble pur-
nose OF obtaining provisions for the warshps now
in possession of the Congressional party OF Chl but
more probably with the object of conveying arms anu
munitions Of war on board Of man-ofwar lying out
side the harbor, conceded here to be the outcome
OF representations made to the State Department Dy
the Chilan Minister in Washington In the absence
OF the President and the Secretary OF state, the oin-
cials of the Department maintain silence III Is I'M
possible TO ascertain definitely whether the vessel was
ordered to be by the authorities here or whether
it was seized upon the orders of the Collector OF Gus
toms at San Diego Neither at the Treasury Depart
ment nor al the Department Of Justice is Information
on this point obtanabe tonight. IL Is, perhaps, OK
less Importance know the source OF the order thah
to ascertain the character Of the shipments taken
by the seized steamer. The authority Of the collector
10 seize or detan vessel suspected Of being fitted out
for aiding one of the beigerent parties is obtained
under Section 900 OF the Revised Statutes. That
section reads follows:
The several Collectors Of the Customs shall deain any
vessel manifesy built for warke purposes ana soous
TO depart the the cargo OF which prncpay
consists and munitions OF war; when the numDer
OF men shipped board other circumstances rehder
it probable such vessel is intended to be employed oy
the owners to cruise commit h0stltes upon the SUD-
iects citizens or property Of foreign prince or ate
or of any COLONY people with whom the Cned
States are at peace decision Of the Presidents
is thereon. until the owner gives such bond ana
security Is required OF the owners OF heu 'esss W
the precedlng section.
The contention which might be made that the ItatA
is not man.of-war or vessel manfestly built for
warke purposes and such Is not liable TO seizure
or detention under any known neutrality law, cannot
we'll be sustained in view of 'he modern understanding
Of the obligations Incurred by neutral powers toward
belligerents.
Very significant in connection with this subject is
Article VI of the Treaty Of Washington Of 1871 which
among other things provided for an arbitration 10 de-
termine British liability for the dcpredatons on the
| commerce OF the United states by tle Alabama and
other Confederate cruisers which left British
In that article certain rules agreed upon which
should govern the arbitratos in deciding matters which
should be submitted 10 Them. The second OF these
rules declared that neutral government is bound not
TO permit or suffer either belgerent 10 make OF It's
ports or waters the base OF naval operations against
the other or for the purpose OF the renewal or aug
mentaton OF military supplies arms the recruit
ment Of men, This rule 20 cover the present
case since 1t ignores the difference between a man-o