The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-09
The ESCAPED GILLIAN VESSEL.
Proposed Pursuit Of The Itata by the
Charleston Guarded With Secrecy.
THE CRUISER STILL In The STREAM.
The Naval Officials at Washington RetIcent on
the subject-They Deny the Reported
Pursuit.

Jan hANIio'bs VAL. May o.-At y y SADNh
this morning the steamer Charleston, which
had been ordered TO proceed to sea ostensibly
to try her new guns. but really to arrest
the flight of the Chlian steamer ltata, had
not sailed. All her men are aboard, and she
ls.expected TO leave at any moment Senator
hlcnard lrumbul, the insurgents American
agent, Is OF the opinion that the war vessel
reported TO have been seen OF san DlegO Is
one OF his partys fleet sent up 10 give the
ltata safe convoy back 70 Chilian waters
The Chihan Government agent here Is
Just as strong IN the opinion that
the vessel is the Imperial the swllt7
est man-of-war in the Cbilian navy
and about the only one the insurgents were
unable 10 seize. This latter gentleman basis
his belief on a dispatch from his chief INFORM
ing him that an armed vessel would soon put
IN an appearance on this coast, ana thaC ne
desired her arrival immediately
If it is the Imperial - said the agent. we
rather hope that the United States Govern
ment will release the italia. We need the con-
tents of her hold and she would no more than
get into a convenient location than the lmpe-
rial would sieze and make prize OF her'
NAVAL OFFICIALS RETIcENT.
WASHINGTON. d. c.. May S.--Navy Depart
ment officials were extremely reticent to-day
about the Governments action in regard TO
the escaped Chilian ship ltata. No intOrma-
ton is Obtainable at the department as TO
whether the cruiser Charleston, now at San
Francisco, will be sent in pursuit of the ltata.
Private business firms having connections
and commercial interests in Chill are as
anxious As newspaper men to learn the facts
in the case. but have met with no better
success. The Intentions OF the Navy Depart
ment are kept profoundly secret for the reason
that every intunation Of il will be promptly
| communicated 20 one or both parties IN Chill
through private firms in this country and
~.
their guard would possibly be able Ia inter-
| cept and capture the itata On the other hand
| the insurgents might arrange TO meet her ana
by relieving her OF her cargo obtain posses
sion of the munitions OF war she mas on board.
| In either event the purpose or the depart,
ment to capture the vessel and cargo would
be defeated.
IL is believed. however. that the Charleston
will be sent in pursuit of the ltata, and the
San Francisco and Baltimore both OF which
are now in Chlian waters. VII be ordered
northward to intercept the runaway vessel.
News from San Francisco to-day show
great activity Oh board the Charleston, and
Strengthens the belief that she is to be sent
on what is regarded by many navy officers as
| the almost hopeless task of trying TO Overtake
a vessel that has or viii have. If the Charles
ton should leave tomorrow, fullya 1,OOO-miles
start ahead Of her.
ORDERED TO REMAIN.
SAN DrEGo, CAL, May s.-Marshal Gard
and party were expected 10 leave for the
| North this morning but at the last moment
| they received orders from Washington 70 re-
main here The marshal refuses TO dlvulge
| the contents of the special order, but 1t IS
hinted that they viii await the arrival OF q
United States cruiser with which TO pursue
the Itata.
MORE SENSATION THAN FACTS.
The news sent out about the manner of the
Itata leaving this port was more sensational
than the facts warranted. She had no con-
cealed arms or cannon with which TO make
herself formidable. nor were there any men
concealed about her for use IN an emer-
gency. She had sxty-tive men when
She came into port. but half dozen
of them deserted. SO she LETT with about sixty
men. The pilot who took her out was not
impressed. but went aboard voluntarily by
| pre-arrangement. She was in cOmmunlca-
ton with the Robert and Minnie while at
port, but the United States marshal does
not seem 10 have known II. The marshal
sailed around the schooner near
the Coronado islands in Mexican waters
with a steam-tug on Wednesday morning; and
the cautain of the schooner made signals or
contempt and defiance. The marshal said that
his orders to detain the Itata were emphatic,
but she was allowed TO lie IN the
stream two days with stea up,
and when ready had nothing to do
but weigh anchor and 60 The custom OH
GERS made the usual search of the ltata when
they boarded her, and say that thestatements
about her having arms and men concealed are
ridiculous The Itata left here headed
toward San Clemente islands, where she will
probably meet the schooner with the arms
and ammunition.
THE CHARLESTON STILL N THE DOCK.
The cruiser Charleston is still in the stream
here this evening. There does not seem to be
any excitement about her movements as there
would be if she was bound out on her first
warlike cruise The Federal officials deny
emphatically that she is going TO sea for any
other purpose than to make short
cruise and to test her guns. 1t
is not denied. however, that the Charleston
NAV extend her cruise after the gun test
down southwark and also that she has re-
ceived some secret orders from Washington.
A dispatch from Washington regarding the
determination OF the United States to try and
overhaul the vessels which ran away from
San Diego has been received by the officers
here. but they deny having received any ln-
structions about the matter and decline TO dis
cuss IL.