The Delta independent., 1891-05-14
A LITTLE WAR CLOUD.
The Rebel chiitan Vessel Etata Defies
|. the United States,

|. the United States,
The Chilian insurgent vessel. Etata.
arrived in San Diego Buy, California,
severa; days ago, aud it was soon learned
that the Robert and Minnie, au American
boat, was about to supply the Etata with
! consignment Of war material. As this
was contrary to international law the
authorities tried to capture the Robert
and Minnie, but she crossed into Mexican
waters where she could not be touched,
and waited for better chance. The
officials At Washington ordered the United
States marshal to place deputy on board
the Etcta until it could be decided what
should be done with her. On the evening
OF the 1th the captain ct the Etata told the
deputy marshai that he was prisoner,
and steamed out Of the harbor. The
deputy in his report OF the affair. said
THE captain then called two OF the
Gillian crew, whc stood guard by the
door, each armed. He then told me not to
be alarmed, but that il l went out of the
cabin during his absence he would not De
/ responsible for what would happen, tell
ing me that IL attempted to give a sign
or jump overheard he would not be re-
spoasiole for the result. Abou. this time
noticed them lifting out of hold four
steel cannon, which they placed in position
on the upper deck, after which they were
loaded in my presence.
'Returniug few minutes later, the
eausain .aid: Il have spoken to tue pilot,
and instead Of putting you on CT Point
Lomax in one OF our hoais, we will get
boat from pilot at the last point He
then led me out OF the cabin, followed BY
bis companions, each taking his revolver
Around on the deck were ,cI GhiIians, all
armed to the tec:h, each having a repeat
Ing rife, and most Of them dressed in
uniform. The captain gave a sickly laugh
and lad: We have changed into a man.
oi.war.i"
The deputy was sent back 70 land IN q
small boat
1t 10 thought that the Etata will try to
meet the Robert and Minnie scmew here
else - obtain her munitions.
| The escape of the Etata raises i'm mportau.
questions Of international law. The Ala
oaHla claims, which cost the British gov
erunent sa1, 1,OOo, 90, arose in similar
manner through the equipment OF Con-
fede.atc vessel in an English port and the
supplying OF men, guns and ammunition
10 Aer by British vessels. As the Etats
has been seized by the United States at
San Diego she was technically United
States property until discharged aud is
therefore liable TO recapiure on the high
seas by United States man of-war. or 10
contiscation II she ever enters u United
States port.
So far Rs is known there Is no charge Of
piracy sgains; either the Etata or the
Robert and Mimic. They are charged
with violation Of the neutrality laws
which forbid the fitting out in the United
States o; vessels making war upon a
country with whom the United States is
At peace. Incidentally the legal determi.
nation OF the case in charge involves the
gaestion as 10 whether the Chilian insur-
gents are 10 be recognised by the govern
z.ent OF tho United States (as they have
been by Great Brittany as belligerents,
and to the settlement, OF this question the
state department officials are already ap-
| plying themselves.
The Etatl will be captured II possible.
Probably the new cruiser Charleston is
the only naval vessel in those waters that
would be able to cope with the sudacious
and well armed EtliA But the Charles
ton is in San Francisco. A day would be
required to coal her, and then she woald
start from a point several hundred miles
north of the place that the Etata left, SO
that practically the Cnilian vessel has u,
least threc days start OF her pursuer.
Tae navy depar rGmeut officials will no;
| say whether or not the Charleston is To go
! in chase, but adviccs from San Francisco
state that the Charleston will give chase
NJ once.
The San Francisco Chronicle states tha,
/; has information that gives ground for
the statement that the steamer seen how
| ering around the entrance to San Diego is
the armed transport lmperiale, now in
possession OF Balpaceda's party. She
left Valparaiso to intercept the Etata on
her return voyage to lquique. Tho I'm
periaIe is vessel of 100 TONS and is said
to be capable OF stcimiug sixteen miles
per hour.
Senior Casenoca, former Gillian consul
said yesterday: at will be found that
British money is the mainstay OF the
insurgents against our government, The
British want TO obtain control OF The
nitrate deposits, and President Balmucedu
wishes them 10 be worked for the benefit
OF the Chilian government"