The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-13
CONSUL CGNEY's VIEWS.
The Acapulco Dispatch DOubted-Wh
Mexico Nav Do.

The Acapulco Dispatch DOubted-What
Mexico May Do.
A CALL reporter interviewed the Mexican
Consul last night at his residence with
reference to the dispatch from Acapulco,
and found the gentleman very doubtful of
its genuineness.
" l have just been discussing the news"
he said, with my family physician and, to
say the least, [ think it very fshy. Doesn't
it strike you as singular that the Charleston
should make so quick trip; that the Itata,
instead Of taking the most direct course
should stand inshore. and that the people of
Acapulco should be so well posted as to be
on the watch for the runaway and her pur-
suer?
" For myself, without wishing to detract
in any manner from the capabilities of the
Charleston, which is w ithOut doubt Spen-
did ve5sei, | do not hink she can make the
1S00-miie trip in the time which has elapsed
since her departure. Then it is reasonable
to suppose that the Itata, fearing pursuit.
would take the shortest route to her own
country. The suppOsitiCn that she would
hug the coast for the protection afforded by
neutral water IS too puerile to consider.
Is IT A CANARD?
Lastly, and most decisive Of all in lead
ing me to the belief that the telegram is
bogus is the fact that news travels very
slowly in Mexico. | don't see how tho
Acapulcans could be so well informed as to
be interested enough to watch out for the
vessels One thing | will say, though, that
the sgualmen at Acapulco know all the
merchant vessels and steamers on the Coast
and if they have really reported Chilean
steamer pursued by an American cruiser
making for port, then there is little doubt
but that they are the Itata and Charleston.
But" Queried Mr.. COney, where Is the
"a ia ~ c 81 IN hn
doing? Isu't it possible that the steamer
and her cOnsOrt have been seen together
and so reported"
The probability OF such theory being as
correct as any other was readily admitted,
but preferrlng, for the sake OF the inter-
view, to take the fact from the dispatch the
reporter inquired what course the Mexican
Government would be likely to luIsue
should the Itata really take refuge in her
waters under such circumstances
A DIPLOMATIC ANSWER.
"Well." said the Consul, thOughtfuly,
THAT is difficult question to answer. 1t is
one that will probably occupy the attention
of Mr. Blaine and our Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Don Ignacio Mariscal, for quite
awhile OF course the Charleston can do
nothing but blockade her."
"Is it possible that the Mexican Govern
ment may seize her?" was asked.
Yes" said Mr.. Coney. promptly. "She
mas no Clearance papers tHaI KNOW Oh
certainly none from me - and that fact
would lead to her detention, and the inhic-
ton of a penalty. Then she is reported to
have arms aboard, and as a special permit is
required before such merchandise can be
brought into the country, | have no doubt
she VIII be seized on that ground. The re-
suit Of such a seizure would be the institu-
tion of condemnation proceedings. but after
that there is no saying how the incident
would terminate. 1t would, no doubt. be-
come an international affair aud would be
settled. of course, by the representatives Of
the interested Governments"
A KNoTTY QUESTION.
do gOu think your Government, after