Morris tribune., 1891-09-23
BALMACEDA A SUICIDE.
THE Ex DICTATOR SENDS A RUL-
LET THROUGH HIS BRAIN.

LET THROUGH HIS BRAIN.
at the Argentine Legation at Santiago.
A Statement Left for the Press of the
United States.
NEW YORK, Sept. 21.-The Herald's
Valparaiso correspondent telegraphs as
follows: Ex-President Balmaceda, of
Chill, shot himself through the temple
in his room at the Argentine legation in
Santiago at $50 a. IN. Saturday. Itnow
seems that Balmaceda left Santiago on
Aug. 10 in the hope of making his es-
cape from Chilli, but seeing that every
avenue of retreat was cut off, he re-
turned there on Sept. 2 and went direct
to the Argentine legation. After the
disastrous battle near Valparaiso and
The Surrender of Santiago,
on Aug. 90, in company with ex-Alcalde
Victor Echauren, he took carriage and
drove to point two miles outside the
city. Here a special train of one car
and locomotive was in waiting. The
train went at high speed as far as Lin
deros, forty-five miles south of Santiago.
There more carriages were in waiting.
Hurriedly alighting from the train they
entered the carriages and were again
driven rapidly away. The route was
toward San Antonio bay. All trace of
the fugitives was, however, lost. His
intention had been to go on board
the vessel Condell, which he expected
to find lying in San Antonio
bay. Upon arriving there, however, he
discovered to his chagrin that the
Torpedo Boat Had Sailed.
Since his return to the Argentine lega-
ton in Santiago, Bahmaceda had been
in an extremely nervous condition. No
one, with the exception of the minister
of the Argentine Republic and one other
man who was devoted to the unfortunate
ex-president's cause, was permitted to
talk to or even see him. All the differ
ent schemes of fight were considered by
the hunted ex-president Senior Urri-
buria had long and earnest talk with
Balmaceda relative to the latter's ideas,
previously broached, about the advisa-
bility of giving himself up to the junta.
Balmaceda and Senior Urriburia went
to bed at midnight, Senor Urribnria,
about o'clock a. M,
Heard a Pistol Shot
in the bedroom that had been assigned
Upon breaking in the door of Balma-
ceda's room he found that he had shot
himself The body was still warm.
There was gaping wound in the
temple. The body was undressed and lay
on the bed. The revolver was still held
in his right hand.
Great crowds of terribly excited
people gathered all around the Argen
tine legation. They cheered and they
hooted and went into frenzy over the
death of their chief enemy. Above al
the discordant shouts were heard cries
congratulating the unfortunate Balma
ceda, that in taking his own life he had
escaped a worse fate. Balmaceda left
the press of the United States state
ment. AS almost the last declaration Of
dying man it is of especial Importance
He says:
acted all during the last eight months
with the firm conviction that l was right
had no one in the army in whom | could
place any trust. My generals were false
to me. My heart all through this trouble
has been with Chilli. / sought to rescue
my country from foreign domination.
strove to make her the first republic OF
America. My enemies say that / was
cruel. Circumstances compelled me tC
sanction certain acts, but many deeds that
have been attributed to my orders were
never known to me until they had beer
committed. | now know those who only
pretended friendship for me because of the
money that was to be gotten out of me
Your minister, Patrick Egan, many times
offered me good advice. He urged me tc
make peace with those opposed to me an6
to retire from Chilli. I did not heed his
wise advice, for I thought that he was un
der the influence of the junta's orders
who were then refugees in the American
legation. All through the trouble my
| closest advisers were always opposed tc
any overtures for peace.
Everything Quiet at Santiago.
The junta has the Argentine legation
guarded by troops to prevent an attack
on the part of the populace, but every
thing is quiet at Santiago. Balmaceda's
body has been removed to the general
cemetery. 1t was accompanied by the
members of the family and friends.
The widow of the dead ex-president was
informed of his tragic ending by her
brother, Domingo Torro. There is a
guard stationed at the cemetery.
Confirmed by Minister Egan.
NEW YORK, Sept. 90. A dispatch
| received here under date of Santiago,
Sept. 81, from United States Minister
Patrick Egan, confirms the published
reports of the suicide of President Bal
| m acnda