Evening journal., 1891-12-24
JUDGE FOSTER REPORTS
The Inquiry Into the Baltimore
Affair.
1NpORTANT pOINTg BOUGHT our

Two Admit stabbing Our sailors, but
Claim It was In Defending Their
Fricnds-Four Rioters HeId-The In
vcstigatson Being Pushed Rapidly.
VALPARAISO, Chilli, via GALVESTON, Dec.
23.-Judge Of Crimes Foster has concluded
his inquiry into the assault upon the man
Of wars men Of the United States cruiser
Baltimore in tho streots Of Valparaiso on
Oct 10 last, and passed the testimony over
to the procurator fiscal for his opinion The
fiscal, or attorney, in accordance with the
Gillian criminal procedure, win lay down
the law in tho case, after which the judge
win give his decision.
There are 800 pages Of testimony. 1t goes
on TO say that the Bultimore's men, who
were arrested, stated that a citizen and
other parties assaulted them. There was
not the slightest evidence Of Handwriting or
bad treatment by the police.
Acknowledged Drinking.
The seaman Garrett thought, but was not
sure, that policemen stabbed him. All Of
the Baltimorc's sailors, with the exception
Of Brown, who appeared TO have been per
fectly sober, acknowledged that they had
been drinking. Thirty American sailors
were arrested in the first instance. The
court OF inquiry was kept waiting for EVIL
dence that was valuable ia arriving at any
conclusion because Captain Schley, Of the
Baltimore, stated that Minister Eagan would
procure other witnesses to the ARRAY. The
Judge adds that the inquiry is now con-
Guided without these promised witnesses
having been produced
-Four Of the accused rioters are held.
Gomez, one of the four, acknowledged
stabbing Coal Heavier Turnbul three times
in the back Turnbull received in all eight
cen wounds in the back, two of which
penetrated his lungs and caused his death
shortly after the death Of Boatswain's Mate
Charles Riggin.
Defended His Friends.
Gomez, however, while admitting that he
stabbed Turnbull, asserts that he was de-
Tending some friends of his whom Turnbull
had knocked down. He does not think that
the stabbing was the cause Of Turnbull's
death. Ahumad, another of the four pris-
oners, denies all participation in the a.
sault, but the evidence Of other witnesses is
to the effect that he engaged in it.
Rodriguez, the third of the accused per
sons, acknowledges that he stabbed Boats
wain's Mate Charles Riggin because Riggin
assaulted one Of the sailors of the Gillian
torpedo boat Almirante Cochrane. Seeing
his countryman i'll treated, Rodriguez
plunged his knife into th9-American sailor
Riggin, it will be remembered, after being
stabbed was left TO die in the street. Petty
Officer johnson lifted him in his arms
to carry him to neighboring drug store
At that moment, it is alleged by the Balti
more's men, the Gillian police came up
fired at Riggin over Johnson's shoulder and
] killed him.
Doubt as to His Completely.
r. Cortez, the fourth prisoner, who Is
Santa Cruz negro, claims that he was not a
all mixed up in tho riot. He had a revolve
in his possession, but alleged that he carrie,
it simply to defend himself The judg
says that e. 10 is strong doubt as to Cor
tez's coInphtyy in the affair. One Of tn
witnesses testified that he saw three police
men holding Riggin when he was shot.
Our sailors stories We're the same as the,
gave aboard the Baltimore after the assault
These are all the important points in tn
report. After the fiscal has reviewed tn
testimony and returned it for Judge Foste
to pass Judgment upon, it viii be submitte
TO the supreme court for final decision
Every step in the investigation is now bein
| hurried up by request of the government.