St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-21
BALMACEDA is DEAD.
The Ex-President Of Chilli
Shoots Himself Through the
Temple at Santiago.
The Deed Committed at the
Quarters Of the Argentine
Legation.
He Leaves a Pathetic Letter
in Regard to His Off,
cial Acts.
TreaehePy of His Generals
Given as a Reason for His
Defeat.

New York, Sept. 20.-The Herald's
Valparaiso cablegram states that eX-
President Balmaceda, of Chill, shot him
self through the temple in his room at
the Argentine legation in Santiago Sat-
urday morning. The story became
known in Valparaiso in the afternoon,
and created the greatest excitement.
Last evening the city was brilliantly
Illuminated, and on every hand were
heard the sounds of rejoicing. 1t now
seems that the story that Balmaceda
escaped from Valparaiso on the United
States steamer San Francisco was err
roneous. Instead, he left Santiago Oh
Aug. 20 in hope of escaping from the
country, but, finding every avenue
closed, returned to the city Sept. 2, and
went direct to the Argentine lega-
ton. Since then he has been in
an extremely nervous condition.
No one save the minister of the Argen-
tine Republic and one other man de-
voted to Balmaceda was permitted to
see him. About 8 o'clock Saturday
morning Senior Urriburia heard pistol
shot in Balmaceda's bedroom, and, rush
ing there, found that Balmaceda had
put bullet in his brain. The junta
was notified. and committee immedi-
ately went to the house and viewed the
body. AS the news spread about Santi-
ago great crowds of people gathered
around the Argentine legation. They
cheered, hOoted and went into frenzy
over the death of their chief enemy.
Above all the discordant shouts were
heard cries congratulating the unfort-
innate Balmaceda that In taking his own
life he had escaped a worse fate. Bal
maceda left letter to his mother and
also statement to New York paper.
AS almost the last declarations Of a dy-
ing man they are of special Importance.
He says:
Iacted all during the past eight months
with the firm conviction that was right 1
had no one in the army in whom l could
place any trust. My generals were false to
me. They lied all through the war. Had my
orders been obeyed, believe that the battle
of Concon would have resulted in q decisive
victory against the enemy My heart all
through this trouble has been with Chilli.
sought to rescue my country from foreign
domination. | strove to make her the first
republic in America. My enemies say that
was cruel. Circumstances compelled me to
sanction certain acts, but many bad deeds
that have been attributed tony orders were
never known to me until they had been com
mitted. Until the final battle at Pla-
ella 1 had strong hopes of triumph
ing over my foes Victory was assured
by my generals, Alcerecca, Barbosa and
Viel. They all lied. I now know they only
pretended friendship for me because of the
money that was to be gotten out of me. All
the money that l have in my possession is
$500 My wife gave tito me on the night of
Aug. %. Your minister, Patrick Egan, many
times offered me good advice. He urged me
to make peace with those opposed to me and
retire from Chilli. did not heed his wise
advice, for thought that he was under the
influence of the junta, who were then refu-
gees in The American legation. All through
the trouble my closest advisers were always
opposed 10 any overtures for peace.
Balmaceda's body has been removed
to the general cemetery. 1t was ac-
companied by the members of the fam
lily and friends. The widow of the dead
eX-president was Informed of his tragic
death by her brother, Domingo Zorro
1t now seems that Balmaceda left
Santiago on August 10 in the hope OF
making his escape from Chill, but, see
ing that every avenue of retreat was
cut off. he returned there on Sept. 2,
and went direct to the Argentine lega-
ton. After the disastrous battle near
Valparaiso and the surrender of San
tiago on Aug. 90, in company with ex-
Alcalde Victor Eclauren, he took a
carriage and drove to point two miles
outside the city. Here special train
of one car and locomotive was In
waiting. The train went at high speed
as far as Linderos, forty-fve miles
south of Santiago. There more car
riages were in waiting HurIiedly
alighting from the train, they entered
the carriages and were again driven
rapidly away. The route was toward
San Antonio bay. All trace of the
tugitives was, however, lost. HIS in
tention had been to go on
board the vessel CondelI, which
he expected to find lying in
San Antonio bay. Upon arriving there
however, he discovered to his chagrin
that the torpedo boat had sailed. Since
his return to the Argentine legation in
Santiago, Balmaceda had been in an ex-
tremely nervous condition. No one.
with the exception of the minister of the
Argentine Republic and one other man.
who was devoted to the unfortunate ex-
presidents cause, was permitted to talk
to, Or even see him.
All the different schemes of flight
were considered by the hunted ex-presi-
dent. Senior Urribuna went to the the
alter last night. When he returned to
the legation he had long and earnest
talk with Balmaceda relative to the lat.
ter's ideas, previously preached, about
the ACCESSIBILITY of giving himself up to
the junta. Balmaceda and Senior Urri-
buria went to bed at midnight.
Sonora Urriburia, about O'Clock a.
m, heard pistol shot in the bed room
that had been assigned to Balmaceda
She notified her husband. Before he
went TO Balmaceda's room he ran
around to the house of Carlos Walker
Martinez and brought that gentleman
back to the legation. Upon breaking in
the door of Balmaceda's room he found
that he had shot himself. The body
was still warm. There was a gaping
wound In the temple. The body was
undressed and lay on the bed. The re.
volyer was still held in his right hand
Domingo Zorro. Balmaceda's brother
in-law, and the minister to Chill from
Uruguay, Arreta Malchor Corletta, soor