The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-05-18
Special to the REcoRp-UN1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
CITY OF MEXICO via Galveston), May
17.-Eg U3tiUerSdI, the only Government
organ that has so far made any mention
of the arrival Of the Esmeralda at Aca-
pulco, says that, in addition to the Es-
meralda, other Chilean warships are
expected at the Mexican ports.
A telegram from Guatemala states that
the schooner Captain, just arrived, re-
ports having seen two strange looking
vessels under full sail proceeding in a
southerly direction.
THE CHARLESTON AND EsMERALDA.
CITY OF MEXICo, May 1.-THE Ameri-
can ship Charleston and Chilean man-of-
war Esmerala are lying at anchor near
the entrance to the harbor of Acapulco.
The Chilean Captain says his vessel has
not called at any American port, conse-
quently, he says, it is not probable that
the United States authorities will inter
fere with the movements of either him
self or his vessel.
An officer of the Esmeralda, in reply
10 a question put to him in the telegraph
office at Acapulco as TO the probability of
an oldfashioned sea fight between the
jocular and rather ambiguous way: ooh,
the Itata is already out of danger. She
has plenty of coal and provisions to carry
her to her destination"
This remark has given rise to the re-
port that the Itata coaled' at sea and pro-
ceeded to'her destination. while the Chill
can warShip steamed for Acapulco to
throw the United States authorities off
the track.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-No informal
ton has been received at the Navy De-
partment regarding the movements of
the Itata, nor have any further orders
been sent to the Charleston directing her
future movements. The only telegram
Remey, saying that the Charleston was
still at Acapulco, taking in coal, and
nothing had been heard or seen of the
Itata. The Esmeralda is also in port and
had been refused coal by the Mexican
authorities.
An order was sent to-day by Secreta4 y
Tracy to Commodore Mccain, now on
his flagship, the Baltimore, at Iquique,
ChIie, placing the Charleston under his
Immediate command, so that in future
movements the vessel may be under his
direction instead of under orders from
the Navy Department, as she has been
since leaving San Francisco in search of
the Itata.
This order will give Commodore Nc
Cam practically discretionary powers
regarding the future course the Charles
ton shall pursue in the chase of the inSur-
gent vessel.
AS there are now two acting Rear-Ad-
mirals in the Chilean waters-Commo-
dore Mccain on the Baltimore and Com
modore Brown on the San Francisco
the command of the squadron will de-
volve upon Admiral Mccain as senior
officer, both Admirals, however, keeping
their undivided commands, and will in
future act i'll concert.
1t is not thought that the order Of the
Secretary to-day placing the Charleston
under the direction of Commodore Me-
Cam Will make any change in the policy
TO be pursued by the Navy Department
relative to the pursuit of the Itata. The
order was issued because the officials of
the Navy Department were of the opinion
that the movements of the Charleston, rs
well as those Of other vessels of the Pa
cific Squadron in search of the Itata.
could be better controlled under the or
ders of Commodore Mccain than under
orders from place so far from the scene
of action as Washington.
Secretary Tracy said tonight that the
situation remains practically the same as
1t was yesterday. Commodore Mccain,
he said, would remain as senior officer in
command Of the naval forces on the Pa
enc unlll the ODllCdn OllIlcuIy was set
tied, and would ultimately return to his
command of the South Atlantic Station.
when Commodore Brown would assume
command of the Pacific Station.
Ii is thought that the Charleston will
take at least two days, and perhaps longer
TO coal, as ships of her class cannot load
fast owing To the location of one of the
coal bins. This will depend, however.
entirely upon the quantity of coal she
needs to fill her bunkers. By the time
she has coaled some new light may be
thrown on the whereabouts of the Itata,
but for the next two days the Charleston
viii likely remain at Acapulco III the
meantime keeping a lookout for the Itata
and watching her consort, the Esmeralda
An official of the Navy Department
said tonight that it was not likely that
the Esmeralda would seek TO procure
coal at any of the sea-coast towns on the
Central American or Colombian coast as
these countries would undoubtedly act
as Mexico has done, in refusing 10 violate
the neutrality laws by aiding the insur-
gents TO replenish their coal supplies OF
procure munitions of war.
MUST USE FORCE, IF NECESSARY.
NEW YORK, May IA Tribune Wash.
ingtOn special says: The Pensacola is eX-
pected at lquique tomorrow ornext day
when there will be three naval vessels
gathered at that port. Commodore Nc
Cam has orders to take the Itata by force
If necessary, and bring her TO San Diego
The Chilean transport cannot be taken in
Mexican waters, and her appearance
there within the next twenty-four hours
Will therefore be observed merely. She
can, however, be taken in Chilean waters
that nation having declared her an out
law. The orders to Mccain, in case the
Itata eludes the Charleston, are to have
one OF the three vessels at Iquique inter.
cept the fugitive ship.
The Navy Department has fortified
itself with legal authority for the present
pursuit, and finds able defense for hel
seizure upon the open seas In decisions
of the Supreme Court a hundred years
ago that tribunal decided (Roseys. Henlv
that 1.-THE seizure of ship upon the high
seas after she is committed of an act OF
forfeiture within the territory is not in
consistent with the sovereign rights of a
nation to which it belongs. Whatever
GREAT principle of self-defense in lis
reasonable and necessary exercise vii
sanction an individual in State natur,
NAV lawfully be performed upon the
There are other similar decisions.
said Secretary Tracy tonight: "Tht
confusion seems to arise in failing to dis
tino,Iish between the right to pursue an,
seize am offending ship and an obligation
10 nursue. Our neutrality laws simpl.
raonire the use of due diligence TO Sc
that orr ports are not made the base o
onerations for fitting out hostile fleet
S9ainst nations with which we are a