The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-08

81 have no answer to make 10 that ques-
tion," replied the secretary. "You can't
SKIN hare before you catch him.
Ihls seems to summarize the present situ-
alton. The Itata will be recaptured, if pos
sible, but she has a long start OF any pur~
suer.
THE CHARLESTON MAY CHASE HER.
Probably the new cruiser Charleston is
the only naval vessel in those waters that
would be able to cope with the audacious
and well-armed Itata. But the Charleston
IS at San Francisco, a day would be re-
quired to coal her and then she would
miles north Of the place the Itsta
left. So that practically the Chilean
vessel has at least three days start Of her
pursuer. The navy department officials
will not say whether or not the Charleston
is to go in chase, but it is known that they
have been oanVasSing the poss bilities Of the
case.
TIE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The escape Of the Itata raises tangled and
important questions of international law.
The Alabama claims, which cost the British
government 20.000,000, arose in a similar
manner, through the equipment of a con-
federate vessel in an English port, and the
supplying Of men, guns and ammunition to
her by British vessels. As the ltata had
been seized by the United States at San
| Diego, she was technically United
States property until discharged, and
is, therefore, liable to recspture
on the high seas by United States man-of-
war, or to confscation ii she ever enters
there is no charge Of piracy against either
the Itata or the Robert and Minnie. They
are charged with violation of the neutrality
laws, which forbid the fitting out in the
United States of vessels to war upon
a country with which the United States is at
peace. incidentally. legal determination Of
the force Of this charge involves the ques-
tion as to whether the Chilean insurgents
are TO be recognized by the United States
las they have been by Great Britain) as
belligerents, and to settlement Of this
question the state department officials are
already applying themselves.
At late hour it was reported that the
administration, chagrined at the escape of
the ltata, had ordered the arrest OF Con-
| gresham Richard Trumbull of Chile, repre-
sentative of the congressional party of
| Chile, who is now supposed to be at San
| Francisco. No official confirmation Of the
report could be obtained.
NO CHANCE FOR PEACE.
VALPARAISO. May president Balma.
ceda has rejected the demand Of the dele
| gates from the congressional or insurgent
| party, who have been trying to come tC
| some understanding with the president by
which the civil war might be brought to q
| termination. There is, therefore, a COM
| plete rupture in the peace negotiations, and
| it would appear that the struggle which has
| been going on for months past between the
| president and congressional party must be
| renewed and fought out until outside inter
vention or one side or the other is utterly
| crushed.
| Much excitement was caused here to-day
| by an attempt to 6ssassinate leading mem
| bers of the cabinet by means of bomt
thrown at them in the street.
| President Balnaceda has given notice o.
| the withdrawal Of bank notes at the rate o1
demands that all import duties shall be paiC
in silver.
THE CHARLESTON AT FRISCO.
! SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, May 7.-Th
| United States cruiser Charleston came dowI
from the Mare Island navy yard to-day anC
is now anchored in the bay off this city.
| THE OMAHA JUST TOO LATE.
The Chronicles special from San Diego
says the United States steamer Omaht
entered San Diego harbor this morn
| ing on her way from thu
Asiatic station via Panama to Sar
| Francisco Just twelve hours too late to b.
OF any service to the United States marsha
in OBTAINING the Itata. The captain of The
Omaha says he sew nothing Of the Itats q
the Chilean warship on the triI
up the coast. The Omaha left Yoko
homa March 9 and only stopped a.
San Diego for coal enough to take her tC
the Golden Gate, where the vessel will b.
thrown out of commission and her crew
paid off, This is her first visit to al
American port for six years. The officer
knew nothing OF the sensational event
trauspirlng.