The morning call., 1891-08-30
AT WASHINGTON.
How the News of the Defeat Was Re
ceiVed.

How the News of the Defeat Was Re-
ceiyed.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.-The unexpected
turn of affairs in Chile is the subject of par
amount interest at the State and Navy de-
partmen!s to-day. Since the recelptof Con-
sui McCreery's cablegram last night an
nOuneing the capture of Valparaiso by the
Congressional forces no further official news
has come from-the scene Of war.
Admiral Brown's failure TO report is be-
lieyed to be due to the fact that he is very
busy disposing of his vessels and the seamen
Ut his squadron so as to insure American
property against damage and the American
residents of the surrendered city against
violence. Then, too, it is believed he delays
his report until events shall have SO shaped
themselves as to enable him to state his
conclusion of the movements and occupa-
tion, and also until he feels that he requires
instruction from the Navy Department trela-
tive to his future course.
Minister Lazcano called upon. Acting
Secretary Wharton this morning, as did
prominent lawyer of this city, who has been
acting as attorney Tor the Balmaceda cause.
The Acting Secretary of State could not, of
course, say anything respecting confidential
diplomatic communications, and 1t cannot
be known whether they added to the war
news.
EFFECT OF THE DEFEAT.
1t is not believed here that Balmaceda has
been completely defeated, still it is to be
expected that result which is so pro-
nOunced q success as the capture of Valpa-
raiso may be the adhesion 10 the Congress
siOnal party Of that always considerable
number of men who are attracted by sue
cess. Also it is recalled that most of the
military supplies of Balmaceda's forces en-
tered the country through Valparaiso, and
Balmaceda's small navy lost its only forti-
fed port, which may have a depressing
effect upon tile fortunes of his party. As
long as Balmafeda remains in possession Of
Santiago. The capital of Chile, and until the
Congressional party shall have set up de
facto government which our Minister re-
ports Is really the Government of the coun.
try, the Department Of State cannot have
relations with the Congressional party and
must continue. to recognize Balmaceda as
the President and Senior Lazcano as Minis.
lister Of Chile:
AT INsURGENT HEADQUARTERS.
Nothing in regard to yesterdays battle az
Valparaiso has been received at the head
quarters Of the Congressional party in this
city. The enjoys hardly expect any details
of the fight by. telegraph to-day. The party
leaders at Iquique, they say, have many i'm,
portant matters to attend to, and no doubt
think the mere announcement of the result
s. will answer for the present. The ENJOYS
expect more definite news, however, by to-
pr feT q -
VIII Immediately remove their headquarters
from lquique to Valparaiso, so as to be In
direct communication with the army.
JOY OF THE ENJOYS.
- There was dramatic scene at the head
quarters of the. Chilean Congressionalists
here when Senor MOntt returned. When
lie left Montreal he had read only the re-
port given out by Balmaceda's Minister
here. stating that the insurgents had been
defeated AT Valparaiso. 1t was this that
caused his immediate departure for this
city. He got no news on the way and this
morning walked into the Office with an ex-
preston OF deep sadness on his face. He
shook hands silently with Mr.. Julio Foster
and sat by table with his head on one
hand, the picture of despair. Mr.. Foster
looked at him for moment in astonish-
ment. Why what is the matter" cried
Montt looked up indifferently and scarcely
made reply except to say something about
ITS beng very bad" but have you not
heard?' cried Foster, who was incoherent
with excitement. "Victory, viva Chile!
here, look at.this, and this. and this" and
be thrust dispatches into the hands of Senor
: Montt. MGntt took the dispatches Ian
guidly, then his face changed. He read one,
then read 1t again. then devoured the rest
with his eyes: In an instant he jumped to
his teet with an exclamation Of JOY, and the
two men clasped each other around the
neck, hysterical with joy.
LOSSES IN THE BATTLE.
AT a late hour tonight the Congressional
envoys In this city received dispatch from
ErraZuriz stating that In the first days fight
ing the enemy lost 1900 men and an equa!
number of prisoners were captured. Two
feld-pieces. The Congressional loss was
sos, and among the killed were five officers
In the battle OF Placilla yesterday ths defeat
OF Balmaceda was complete. His generals,
Barbose and Acarrica, were killed ana
many other officers. The whereabouts Of
Balmaceda is unknown.
Sen0r LazcanO, the Chilean Minister, de-
MED himself to all newspaper reporters to-
day. 1t Is not believed, however, that he
received any dispatches from Chile.
Another cabieglam was received from En-
raZurZ regarding yesterdays battle, saying
that Balmace Jas troops numbered 1900
men, Three thousand pris oners and all
bis artillery were taken; the torpedo boats
and all others are in the power of the Con-
gressionalists. Valparaiso was occupied
without resis tance. Balnaceda's leuten-
ants sought safety on foreign vessels. The
COngressionalists' losses were inconsidera-
bic.