The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-05-16
THE NAVAL RACERS.
No Reports from Either the Itata
or Charleston.

or Charleston.
TIE ESMERALDA AT ACAPULCO.
After an Unsuccessful Effort to Pur-
chase FNoI She Sails Away, Pre-.
sumabIy TO Intercept the Itata.
Mexico Recognizes Only the Gov.
crnment of BaImaceda in Chile.
CITY OF MEXICO, May 1e.-Late ad-
vices received here from Acapulco state
that the Chilean cruiser Esmeralda is
still off that port waiting to see if it is
possible to obtain asupply of coal. There
is another strange steamer outside sup
posed to be the Itata. No American
steamer in sight.
ACAPULCO, Mex, May te.-Mexico
has fulfilled her promise not to afford
aid or comfort to the Chilean insurgents
or their ships, and in consequence the
cruiser Esmeralda is nearly four thou
sand miles from Iquique, her nearest
home port, without sufficient provisions
for the voyage thither, and may be not
enough coal.
The insurgent ship arrived here on
Sunday evening. and dropped anchor
some distance off shore. Her command
ing officer soon after came ashore and
made official calls upon the C ommand
ant of the fort and the mayor. He also
reported his vessel to the customs
authorities.
All the officials received him cour-
teously but coolly, but the commandant
failed to return the call, as International
military and naval courtesy directs.
Left Without Sufici cnt Fuel.
Later an attempt was made by the Es-
meralda's officers to purchase coal, of
which she has but very small supply.
In payment, drafts upon the fiscal agents
of the Chilean congress party were ten
dered, but declined, and the EsmerRlda
left port without having received the
papers from the custom l.1use customary
in such cases, and which Ne believed to
have been withheld by specific orders
from the city of Mexico.
On Thursday morning the vessel was
sighted about five miles off the harbor,
but later disappeared, and it is not def
nitely known what course she steered
The port authorities here have re-
ceived orders from the city of Mexico,
directing that the Esmeralda be per-
mitted to take on board water and pro-
| visions, but no coal or munitions of war.
1t is presumed that these orders have
been received since the visit of the Es-
meralda on Sunday, as had they been in
force then the Chilean would undoubt-
edly have shipped the water and pro-
visions she so much needs, as she viii be
allowed to should she return.
A Grew of Veterans.
Several of the Esmeralda's officers
were ashore while she was here, used
| the wires and made various inquiries
regarding the action of the United
| States, showing that they had been in
formed that the cruiser Charleston had
been sent in pursuit of the Itata. 1t is
| believed that she intends to intercept the
Itata and protect her should the Charles
ton attempt to capture her.
The officers who came ashore were
| very reticent, but from one Of the sailors
it was learned that they expected to sight
the Itata and act as her consort down
the coast. The Esmeralda has nu-
merous crew, and in appearance they are
veterans and will fight. The opinion
| prevails here that should the Charleston
attempt to capture the Itata a naval en-
gagement will take place, aud the United
States cruiser will have hard fight.
Mexico Recognizes Only Balmaccda.
CITY OF Mexico, May 16.-The Mexi-
can war department confirms the news
from Acapulco that the Chilean insur-
/ gent war ship was not permitted to coal
4 there. A prominent official said that
| the cruiser had been warned not to re-
mainin port, as Mexico was not harbor-
ing insurgent vessels, and did not recog-
nize any other government in ChiIe than
that of Balmaceda. That was the rea-
son why the cruiser had sailed
There is but little doubt that the Es-
meralda is going north to intercept the
Itata. 1t is the general idea that should
the Esmeralda meet the Itata before she
is ovcrtaken by the Charleston the arms
that she has and cargo will be trans
ferred. In this case the Charleston
could hardly delay the Esmeralda No
! proofs would be forthcoming to show
what had become of the munitions of
war. This will doubtless be the course
which the Esmeralda's captain will pur-
sue. The transfer of arms being made,
/ on the appearance of the Charleston the
empty Itata could be graciously handed
over to the American vessel.
Business Failures.
New YORK, May 16.-The business
failures occurring throughout the eoun-
try during the last seven days num-
Der for the United State 2l2, and
for Canada %, or a total of
237, rs compared with total of 242
last week and 255 the week previous to
the last. For the corresponding week
of last year the figures were 2i2, repre-.
senting 191 failures in the United States
and 2l in the Dominion of Canada