The morning call., 1891-07-10
TRIED TO ESCAPE.
The Itata Ready for Instant
Flight.
United States Marshal Gard Personally
Watching The Runaway.
The Fine Still Unpaid-Story Of an Officer
Concerning the Finances Of the
Insurgents.
special to THE MORNING CALL

SAN DIEGO, July 9.-The officers Of the
Itata have not yet paid the $500 penalty for
leaving this port without clearance papers,
though officially notified that it would be
accepted if rendered. Marshal Gard is per-
sonally in charge. He will remain the rest
of the week and then put deputy on board.
The story that the Itata intended to sail
yesterday, after paying the penalty, is con-
firmed by further evidence to-day. Some
of the 1tata's officers attempted to contradict
it in the evening papers. saying that there
were only fifty tons of coal on board; that
the boilers had been blown out, and that
weeks absence had been given to the fire.
men and engineers, all of whom are now
ashore; that it would take six hours to get
notice the attempt and stop it. If they took
the Itata from San Diego without permis-
sion they would be shot by the Congressional
party upon their return to Chile, etc.
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE CONFIRMED.
The facts are that the officers admitted
that the Itata had 1900 tons of coal at
Iquique. and only used little on the up
trip, SO they are now we'll supplied and have
plenty of provisions. All the men ashore
were ordered on board, and the penalty
money was to be paid Immediately upon the
arrival OF Captain Tejeda from Los Angeles
When Tejrda returned yesterday noon lie
found that the Marshal had seized the ship,
and so did not pay the m oney. He returned
to Los Angeles yesterday afternoon at
o'clock, and is still there consulting his at
torney.
WELL SUPPLIED WITH MONEY.
Chief Engineer Ross of the Itata says:
"The Congressional party has plenty of
money now, large amount being in checks
on the Bank of England. Colonel North,
who owns the nitrate beds, has supplied con:
| siderable money, and also many Frenchmen
who are anxious to see the insurgents sue
| ceed Should Balmaceda win, the present
| companies controlling the nitrate beds
| would be diSpossessed. II the insurgents
| cent in value. Therefore they supply the
funds to protect their own property. Be-
sides there is S14,000,000 in silver lying in
| the Chilean banks controlled by the in-
| surgents. They also have thirteen war-ships
| and tw6nty-one armed cruisers, so they do
| not miss the Itata."
REFITTED AS A MERCHANTMAN.
| He admits the Itata has been equipped as
| a war-ship and taken an active part in the
| naval engagements during the revolution.
| The vessel was retitted as q merchantmen
| especially to make the trip for supplies to
|
| provisions more than her services in war.
| 1t is stated if the vessel gets out of this
harbor soon she will go to San Francisco on
the dry-dock for repairs and then take a
cargo of supplies to lquique. Of course If
| held long time, as now seems probable,
| this plan may not be followed.
| THE LEGAL STATUS.
Judge Alexander Campbell, Assistant
United States District Attorney, arrived last
night to confer with Marshal Gard and the
officers of the Charleston He informed a
reporter that the papers in the libel suit
were filed yesterday, but the trial could not
| be held until September. The court had ad-
journed for the term, and Judge Ross was
going TO San Francisco to hold court for
Judge Hoffman.
In reply to the question about the Itsta's
offense being bailable Judge Campbell said
give bonds for the return of the vessel and
she would be allowed to depart but as til e
bonds would necessarily be much greater
than the value of the vesse. he hardly
thought such an action probable
THE CHARLEST VISITED.
Huge crowds visited the Charleston to-
day, and excursion trains have been run
ming from all parts of Southern California
10 bring people to see the Itata and the
other war-vessels in the harbOr. A ban
quet was rendered to the officers of the
men-of-war in the harbor by the army Off
GERS aud business men. 1t was brilliau
affair
The Ranger sails for San Francisco to-