New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-21
BALMACEDA'S SUICIDE.
HOW Els PLANS TO GET OUT OF CHILL
FAILED.
A STATEMENT IN WHICH HE SAID HE WAS WORK
ING TO PROMOTE cHIII's BEST INTERESTS,
BUT WAS DECEIVED BY HIS GENERALS.

IS ped cable dispatch IN yes,erdaps York HsrodJ
Valparaiso. Chill, via Galveston. Tex. Sept. 49,
ExPresident Bamaceds of Chill, shot himself through
the temple In his room at the Argentine Legation IN
Santiago at hslf-past a. IN. to-day. Tho story
became known here this afternoon and crested the
greatest excitement Every part of the city this even
ing is brilliantly Illuminated and every hand are
heard the sounds of rejoicing.
Later accounts from the capital confirm tho
tonal news and give the details of his suicide.
1t now seems that Balmaceda left Santiago on
August 20 last In the hope OF making his escape
from Chill. but seeing that every avenue Of retreat
was cut OF, he returned there on September and
went direct to the Argentine Legation.
learned today the route taken by Balmaceda
after the disastrous battle Valparaiso and the
surrender Of Santiago on August 90. In company
with e1Alcaldo Victor Echaurcn, he took carriage
and drove 30 a point two miles outside the city Here
a special train Of one car and locomotive was In
waiting Balmaceda disguised himself with a heavy
Spanish cloak. He recognized, however. by the
driver Of the carriage, Scotclman named Gilmore.
The train went at high speed far as Lnderos
tortyfve miles south Of Santiago. There more car
rages were in waiting. Hurricdly alghting from
the train they entered the carriages and were again
driven rapidly away. The route was toward San
Antonio Bay All trace Of the fuglhves was how
ever lost Police from Santiago learned Of the route
taken and searched for the carriages. They were
unsuccessful but learn from a detective who was
engaged on the case that on September the car
rages traced to the outskirts Of Santiago. His
intention had been to go on board the vessel Conde
which he expected to find lying In San Antonio Bay
Upon arriving there, however, he discovered, to MS
ohagrln that the torpederO had sailed. since NH
return 10 the Argentine Legation In santiago Bal
maceda has been in an extremely nervous condition
No one, with the exception Of the Minister OF the
Argentine Republic and one other man who was DC
voted to the unfortunate ex-Presden0s cause waa
permitted to talk to see him. All inc
different schemes of flight were considered by the
hunted ex- President.
Senior Urrbufa went to the theatre last night When
he returned to the legation he had long and earnest
talk with Balmaceda relative TO the latters lucas pre-
yiously preached, about the ACCESSIBILITY OF giving h-
self ND to tho Junta Balmaceda and senior Crribuna
went to bed at midnight
Sonora Urriburia about a. m. to-day heard pistol
shot in the bedroom that had been assigned to Bama-
coda She notified her husband Before he went 10
Balmacedas he around to the house OF carlos
Walker Martinez and brought that gentleman back 70
the legation. Upon breaking in the door OF Balna-
cedas room it found that he had shot himself
The body was still warm. There was gaping wound
in the temple. Tho body was undressed, and lay on
the bed The revolver was still held in his right hand
Domingo Zorro, Balmaceda's brotherin-law, and tho
Minister TO Chill from Uruguay Arricta Malchor C"r
leta soon arrived at the Legation.
Senior Concho ran to Moneda and informed the Junta
OF what had happened. commission was promptly
issued It comprised Carlos Walker Martinez, senior
Melchor Senior Concho and Judge Aguera, Of the su-
preme Court They went direct to the Legation from
the office of the Juntas representatives and viewed the
body. Thoy then drew up process verbal. certifying
TO the facts already stated The German Minister Gut
schmidt accompanied the commission 70 the Legauoh
as an old friend Of Balmaceda-
Gradually the news spread all over Santiago. The
excitement it created is indescrbable Great crowds
Of terribly excited people gathered all around the Ar
gentlne Legation. They cheered and they hooed ana
went into frenzy the death OF their chief enemy
Above all the dsCorsnt shouts were heard cries con-
graduating the unfortunate Balmaceda that In taxing
his own life he had escaped worse fate.
galmaceda left a letter to his mother; also state
ment to "Tho Herald" As almost the last declara-
lions of dying man, they are OF especial importance
He says:
al acted ell during the last eight months with the
firm conviction that was right had no one In the
army in whom I could place any trust My generals
were false to me. They lied all through the war
Had my orders been obeyed believe that the battle
Of Concon would have resulted in decisive victory
against the enemy Ny heart all through this trouble
has been with Chill. I sought to rescue my country
from foreign domination. strove to make her the
first republic in America. My enemies say that was
cruel Circumstances compelled me to sanction GER
tain acts but many bad deeds that have been attributed
to my orders wore never known by mo until they had
been committed. Until the final battle at Placua
had strong hopes Of t1umphing over my foes Victory
was assured by my generals, Alcerecca and Barbosa
and Well They all led now know those who only
pretended friendship for because Of the money that
was to be gotten out OF me- All the money that have
in my possession 81 500. My wife gave 1t to me on
the night Of August %.
"Your Minister, Patrick Egan, many times offered
me good advlce. lie urged to make peace with
those opposed to me and TO retire from Chill did
not heed his wise advice for thought that he was
under the influence Of the Juntas orders, who were
then refugees IN the American Legation. All through
the trouble my closest advisers always opposed
to any overtures for peace"
Another letter was found addressed to Senior Urri-
buria In it Balmaceda says
When 1 saw the persecution directed against me
BY persons who had supported my administration
came to the conclusion that the only way to put an
end 70 this persecution was to take my life, as was
the responsible one. AdlOs, my good friend. Give
nv farewell to my wife and children"
The Junta has the Argentine Legation guarded by |
lace Init everything is quiet at Santiago tonight
Balmaceda's body has been removed 10 the general
cemetery 1t accompanied by me members OF the
family and friends The widow Of the dead S e 3.
Domingo Zorro. There is guard stationed at The
cemetery. An intendente is keeping order.
Charles R. Flint, kept busy yesterday answer
ing questions concerning Balmacedas suicide. He
said he had received no advces concerning It, "Al
know about it, said he, "is what have read In |
tie papers to-day. Balmaceda's suicide VIII not
affect the situation in Chill. 1t is Of no importance
to merchants"
Fredrico A. Beelen. ex-Chan Consul 10 this city, |
said: "Balmacedas suicide will not change affairs |
in the slightest degree in Chill. In opinion, IL Is
the best thing that could have happened 1t was tho
greatest act of Balmaceda's lfe The celebration in
which the papers spoke OF in connection |