The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-12

advise the Esmeralda of the intention Of
the American government to seize the
ltata, and It is now deemed probable that
the Esmeralda will cruise north toward
San Lucas in the hope of meeting the
Itata before the Charleston can arrive, and
protect the cargo from seizure if possible.
Apart from other considerations. il il
now known that on board the Itata Is the
commander of the Esmera,da and q large
portion of her crew, and presumably a
portion of the Esmeralda's secondary hat
terry. There is, therefore. q strong incen-
tive on the part of the Chilean warship to
meet the Itata and prevent her being con-
veyed back to an American port under the
guns Of an American warship.
The fact that there appears now q very
strong likelihood Of the meeting of two
evenly matched warships under conditions
that win require fine management to pre-
vent fight is thoroughly recognized by
naval men on this coast. The orders TO
Captain Remy, Of the Charlestou, are well
authenticated to be binding in the matter
of the recapture of the Itata, If sighted,
and on the part of the Esmeralda it is be-
lieved as fully that she win fight if she
can reach the scene
The Charleston and Esmeralda are sis
ter ships as to general plan, and possess
nearly the same armament. The Esmer-
aida, however, has two pivot guns of ten
inch caliber with . weight of TWENTY-FIVE
tons each, while the Charleston has two
cight-inch rifles. fore and aft, weighins 2
twelve and one-half tons This is regarded
by some critics as outmatching the
Charleston In case of fight, but apart
from these guns the armaments of the two
ships are practically the same. The
Charleston Is the swiftest ship, and while
never in action, has a splendid crew and q
lighting commander.
The Charleston left San Pedro shortly
after O'Clock this morning and was sight
ed ten miles out, off Point Iona. having
made ninety mile run in six hours, or as
f1fteen-knot gait There were additional
orders awaiting her at San Diego.
but she kept on her southwark course
without stopping. There are no telegraph
stations south of Ensenada, just south of
the boundary line in Lower California, so
that, save such meager information as may
be brought north by one of the Panama or
coast steamers. nothing further is likely
to be heard from her or the Itata until the
NhoAi INtdIES OE 10 uedIu lTOm At
some of the Mexican ports. which cannot
occur before Thursday or Friday next.
The Itata, after leaving San Diego, took
on board the consignment of rifles and
ammunition which had been shipped from
San Francisco on the schooner Robert and
Minnie. The transfer of the cargo is he
lieved to have occurred of Sacramento
island, northwest Of San Diego harbor,
and it is believed the Itata steamed south
Friday night or Saturday morning.
Walter Cation, resident Chilean consul,
says regarding the suspicion that rifles
and munitions of war may be smuggled
aboard the Montserrat:
As representative of the Chilean government
here have taken every precaution against such
things ~ weapons or explosives going abroad.
have employed detectives day and night TO
guard the Montserrat 20 that nothing can get
aeoard without previous examination. Al night
have the vessels sides illuminated brightly
The firm Of J. W. Grace 4 Co IL - desirous az
am thae nothing but legitimate cargo be
taken aboard. and the Aontserrat, you can rest
assured. win have nothing contrsband when
she leaves here NEXT Friday.