The record-union., 1891-09-21
special to the REcoRp-uN1oN.


the temple in his room at the Argentine
Legation in Santiago at $50 o'clock yes
terday morning. The story became known
here in the afternoon and created the
greatest excitement. Every part of the
city this evening was brilliantly illumi-
mated, and on every hand is heard the
sounds Of rejoicing.
Later accounts from the Capital confirm
the sensational news and give the details
of his suicide. 1t now seems that Bal
maceda left Santiago on August 29th last,
III the hope of making his escape from
Chile, but seeing that every avenue of
retreat was cut off, he returned there on
September I'd, and went direct to the Ar
gentine Legation. His intention had
been to go on board the vessel Condell,
which he expected to find lying in San
Antonio Bay. Upon arriving there, how
ever, he discovered to his chagrin that the
torpedo boat had sailed. Since his return
10 the Argentine Legation, in Santiago,
Balmaceda had been in an exceedingly
nervous condition. No one, with the ex-
ception of the Minister of the Argentine
Republic and one other man, who was
devoted to the unfortunate eX-President's s
cause, were permitted to talk to or see
him. All the different schemes of flight
were considered by the hunted ex-Presi-
dent.
Balmaceda and Senior Urribunia went
TO bed at midnight. Sonora Urribunia.
about s O'Clock yesterday morning, heard
"a piStOl-ShOt in the bedroom that had
been assigned to Balmaceda. She notified
aer husband. Before he went to Balma-
ceda'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'a a
room it was found that he had shot HIM
self. The body was still warm There
was gaping wound in the temple. The
body was undressed and lay on the bed.
His revolver was still held in his right
hand.
Gradually the news spread all over San
tlago. The excitement 1t created was in
descrlbable. Great crowds of terribly
excited people gathered all around the
hooted, and went into frenzy over the
death of their chief enemy.
Above all discordant shouts We're heard
cries congratulating the unfortunate Bal
maceda that in taking his own life he had
escaped worse fate.
Balmaceda left letter to his mother.
and also statement to the ReraLd in
winch he says: Il acted all during the
past eight months with the firm conyic-
ton that was right | had no one in
my army in whom / could place any
trust. My Generals were false to me-
They lied all through the war. Had my
orders Ueen Obeyed | believe that the
battle of Concon would have resulted in a
decisive victory against the enemy. NV
heart all through this trouble has been
with Chile. ! sought to rescue my coun-
Try from foreign domination. Minister
Patrick Egan many times offered me
good advice. He wanted me TO make
14ra. rE-i4 ], =
retire from Chile. | did not heed his
wise advice, for thought that he was
under the influence ofth Junta's orders,
who were then refugees in the American
Legation. All through the trouble my
closest advisers were always opposed to
any overtures for peace"
Another letter was found addressed to
Sonora UrribuDia. In it Balmaceda says:
hen ] saw the persecution directed
against me by persons who had sup
ported my administration l came to the
conclusion that the only way to put an
end TO this persecution was to take my
life, as l was the responsible one. Adios,
adios, my good friend. Give nay fare
well TO my wife and children"
REJOICING AT HIS DEATH.
NEW YORK, Sept. 2O.-A Herald Val
paraiso cable says: The suicide of Bal
maceda yesterday morning at the Argen-
tine legation III Santiago is the one
absorbing and exciting topic of conversa-
ton in every part of the city. There is a
mingled feeling of savage rejoicing at his
death and bitter regret that he should
have killed himself instead of falling into
the clutches OF infuriated citizens, who
would have delighted To rend him limb
from limb for the long list of cruelties for
which they hold him responsible. 1t is
impossible for any one not in this coun-
try, or not a native, TO realize the eintensity
OF hatred entertained toward the ex-
President.
The national holidays, which were to
have ended on Saturday night, have
been prolonged by the suicide, feasts,
iluminations and other celebrations in
honor of the success of the congressional
party keep up, followed by the marching
OF frenzied crowds through all the streets,
shouting songs of triumph over the death
OF their former ruler.
The Valparaiso papers are just out with
extras from Santiago about the suicide.
J he Argentine Minister at Santiago
Tesolutely refused TO furnish any OF the
local papers with copy OF the pathetic
letter written by Baimaceda a short time
previous to his suicide, In which he
defends his course as President.
The correspondent of the Herald alone,
q all newspaper men III Santiago City
was able TO get copy OF this interesting
statement. 1t was through the indeiatig-
2Dle Efforts OF minister Egan jnat the cor
Ie p0ndent was successful.
u is the general belief that Balmaceda's s
Ceath will hasten in great degree the
restoration of peace throughout Chile.
Now that the chief enemy OF the victori-
Gus Junta is no more, it is likely that his
followers viii be shown mercy, since
without Balmaceda TO direct them they
have very little TO be feared.
Italy, France, Sweden and Norway
have followed the lead OF the United
States in official recognition of the Junta.
Germany. it VIII be remembered, was
thc second nation to do so. No Official
recognition camo from England. This
creates considerable comment.
Els ONLY COURSE.
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 20-The news of ex-
President Balnaceda's suicide was not
known to Captain Maunzin OF the Itata
until communicated him by an Asso-
ciated Press reporter at 10 O'Clock to-
night. hiy God ~ exclaimed the cap
tain, on being told OF the tragedy. 1t
WAS what | expected. There was no
chance tor him 10 escape. You do not
know, because you cannot, the fury OF the
Chilean mob, and under such circum-
stances it would have been Unsuitable.
lie would have been torn 10 pieces had
lie been detected trying to escape"
Captain MannZin says that Balmaceda
leaves a widow, a grown son and two
daughters. He thinks the Dictator had
become partially insane under the pres
sure OF the events Of the last few months.
On being shown dispatch which says