The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-09
RIaine,s Fruitless Promntness.

I >
The New York Press, the I-cent organ Of
the administration, commenting upon the
seizure Of the Chilean steamer Itata at San
Diego, Cal, says:
Secretary Blaine has acted with prompt
decision IN ordering the seizure of the
Chilean steamer ltata at San Diego. The
vigorous action of our government Will
teach the Chileaus that they cannot use the
ports OF the United States as bases of oper-
ations for either side in their civil war.
And Col Elliot Shepard's paper. the New
York Mail and Express. a 2-cent organ Of
the administration, in reference to the same
subject, says:
Our distinguished Secretary of State de-
serves the highest Communication for his
promDtness and thOroughness in meeting
this emergency.
Those organs of the administration were
rather hasty in singing the praises of the
administration. The Itata was seized, but
the seizure does not appear to have inter
fered with her plans and purp, ses in the
least When she had got her cargo at San
Diego and c mpleted her mission there, she
hoisted her anchor aud sailed away, carry
ing the United States deputy marshal with
her. She 1idn't carry the marshal very
far, however. She put him ashore few
miles down the coast and then pro-
ceeded on her journey, just as
if the distinguished Secretary OF State
had never attempted to retain her. Before
the Washington authorities were in a posi-
ton to adopt measures for overtaking her
she was several hundred miles on her Jour-
ney, and there is no reason to doubt that in
due time she will safely deliver her cargo to
the Chilean insurgents, for whom, it is I'M
derstood, it is intended.
Perhaps the government feels some salts
faction in having ordered the arrest of
Richard Trumbull, who, according to our
dispatches yesterday, was supposed to be
in San Francisco. This man Trumbull has
the credit of being the brains of the party
in Chile which is trying to overthrow the
Chilean government. He is a lawyer of
American descent and Chilean birth. His
father was minister from this country to
Chile forty-ive years ago, and established
Professionalism in that country. He is man
OF fine ability and possesses great influence
in Chile.
1t is alleged with a good deal Of positive.
ness that the whole trouble in Chile was
brought about by two rival commercial
houses Of New York-the house of w. r.
Grace & Co. and the house of Charles r.
Flint. Flint was formerly a member OF
the house of Grace, but owing to misunder-
standings of one sort and another with
drew from it and established rival
house. The two houses are competitors for
trade in Chile and Peru, and each seeks, it
is said, to control the governments of tne
two countries.
The story is that the house of Grace has
a claim of 100000 against the govern
ment of Chile, which President Balmaceda
refused to pay. The house of Grace through
the efforts of Richard Trumbul undertook
to force him out Of the presidency The
present disastrous civil war is the result.
The house of Flint is supporting President
Balmaceda, and, IT is asserted, has been
shipping arms to his government, and if the
report OF the contents of the cargo Of the
ltata is correct. the house of Grace is ship
ping arms as well as provisions to the in
surgents.
The shipping of arms from this country to
the insurgents may cause complications be-
tween this country and Chile. IL the
Chilean government succeeds in putting
down the rebellion it will, perhaps, make
some such claim against this country as this
country made against England for permit
ting armed cruisers to be fitted out in her
ports during the war of secession. The
slipping away of the Itata from San Diego,
therefore, may become serious matter.
Our distinguished Secretary of State" is
likely TO have his time pretty fully occupied
this summer.