Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-29
TEJEDA'S TALE.
The Itata's Chief Officer
Gives His Evidence.
A Perfunctory Spirit Animat-
ing the Prosecution.
Captain Mannzen Testifles as to the
Itata's Seizure.
Captain Tejada a Chilean Naval Ohicer.
No Cannon on the Itata-She
was Only a Transport
Ship.

There is perfunctory spirit evident
on the part of the government in the
United States court room, while the
taking of defense in the Itata case is
proceeding. The sittings, which have
been going on for three days past. bar
ring Sunday, were resumed yesterday
afternoon. The defense practically fin
ished with the officers of the steamer
during the afternoon, and no new points
were brought out. The examination
derived somewhat more interest, how
ever, than upon the preceding days, on
account of the examination of Captain
Tejeda, who was the accredited chief
officer of a portion of the expedition.
The counsel for the defense were on the
qui vive all the afternoon, for the ar
rival of the bond which is to release the
Itata and send it on its homeward
journey. Mr.. White, late in the after
noon, said that the document had not
yet arrived. He received two kilograms
during the afternoon, from San Fran
cisco, asking if it had arrived.
Some sureties are expected from San
Diego, to complete the bond, and it is
expected that it will be ready for fling
today, when the arrangements will be
made for the Itata to leave San Diego.
The piece of machinery which Marshal
Gard took from the steamer will be re-
placed, and the taking of provisions
completed.
When the examination was resumed
| OF ojolnal Contoin
called by Mr.. Goodrich, and said that
he had brought with him his private log
book, one OF the Schneider rifles, and
the cover for the brass salute gun. When
the brass gun was mentioned, Judge
Campbell, for the government, said,
amidst the smiles of all in the court
room, that the government will make no
point on the score of the brass gun, be-
ing well satisfied as to its use, that it
was only used for saluting purposes.
The log book was offered in evidence
by Mr.. Goodrich at pages 50 and 81, in
regard to the protests made by the cap
tain against the capture of the Itata by
the Congressional party. He said that
at the time he entered the protests he
was in great hurry, as soldiers were
standing around with fixed bayonets.
Judge Campbell then asked some fur
ther questions of Captain Mannzen in
regard to his passenger list on the trip
from Iquique to San Diego the first time.
The manifest presented to the custom
house at San Diego with list of passen-
gers was produced. Captain Mannzen
testified that at Iquique the authorities
told him the steamer was going to make
trip as far as British Columbia for pro-
visions and coal. 1t was for that reason,
| hA odJod fhot M - kolr
out of the ship at Arico.
Capt. Tejeda was called to the stand
and testified that he is an officer in the
Chilean navy, and his rank sloop of
war captain. The captain, who is
dark with alert-looking eyes, is 35 years
of age and has been in the Chilean navy
nineteen years. He stated that the
cannons were all taken from the Itata at
Arico, two 32-pounders and two 36-
Founders. The cannons were not at
any time in a position to be used. They
were not placed in position, he said, be-
cause the vessel could not stand such
cannons. All the ammunition there was
was also discharged at Arico. The Jour-
ney from Iquique to Arico is about four
teen hours.
Capt. Tejeda referring to the arrival
of the ship at Tocopilla from San Diego,
said that nothing was discharged there.
After an hours stay the ship went to
Iquique. After arrival there the presi-
dent OF the Junta ordered the Itata be-
tween two American war ships. An
American officer, Capt. Schley. came
aboard the next day and took possession
of the Itata, in the name of Admiral
McCann. Some provisions were dis
charged at Iquique by permission OF
Admiral McCann.
1.-THE foreign minister ordered me to
take the Itata to San Diego, and the
Charleston accompanied us all the way
up" said the witness.
Mr.. Goodrich attempted to have the
witness say that the Itata surrendered
to the American vessel at Iquique on
account of superior force but Captain
Tejeda said that he understood that it
was by an arrangement between the
junta and Admiral McCann.
On cross-examination Captain Tejeda
stated that the Itata was only used as a
transport ship by the Congressional
party. The Itata started for Arico to
leave the guns, under sealed orders, to
be opened 200 miles out The instruc-
tions were for the Itata to come to Fan
Diego and take provisions and freight.
The freight was to be mentioned at San
Diego by telegraph. The Esmeralda
was to accompany the vessel, to protect
it from the Balmaceda war vessels. The
Itata came as merchant ship, and had
no armament. The captain changed
with Captain Silva Palma, and he came
ae an agent to buy whar they had to
buy. Captain Palma held the same
rank as himself-captain of sloop oi
war. The change was made from in
structions from the chief of the squad
ron. The orders were to Captain Mann
zen to obey Captain Silva Palma as an
agent, and that the latter should not
wear his uniform or letit be known that
he was anything but an agent. He had
command only over Captain Mannzen.
: The witness ordered the names of the
: gentlemen on board on the passenger
list. He did so because they were moi
members of the crew, and he wanted to
keep an account Of the provisions used
He said that at no time did the Itats
have any other armament than thai
which he had mentioned.
81 was the director of naval schoo
in the south of Chile when the wal
broke out" said Captain Tejada. 81
Joined the insurgents eight days after
the revolution broke out. My first com
mand wGs to a transport. January It'll
the navy declared ITSELF"
He further said in response to queries