Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-20
ADMIRAL BROWNS DENIAL.
Ridiculous and Untrue Stories Teiegraphed
Prom Chile

From Chile
Admiral Brown OF the cruiser San Francisco.
when approached for an interview by CORE
spondent shortly after the arrival Of his vessel
from Chile st San Francisco yesterday said:
I'VE bring very little news In fact almost
everything that happened was known in the
United States before it became public in Chile.
Correspondents OF American papers would tele
graph news to New York and then it would be
telegraphed back to Valparaiso and appear in
the afternoon papers. We left San Francisco
April last, and stopped at Acapulco where we
took on coal From Acapulco We went direct 30
Iquique. We were at the latter place when the
Itsta put in and we seized her. according
20 instructions. Some OF the stories tele-
graphed to San Francisco we're very
ridiculous. For instance: You had Iquique
bombarded several times. The nearest any
man-oi-war ever came to the place WAS about
i've miles. We could hear firing but we never
even saw the splash Of one OF their missiles in
the water. After the capture Of Valparaiso
and the final surrender of Balmaceda's troops
many OF his most prominent Adherents took
refuge on the San Francisco and we afterward
landed them at Callao. We had about twenty
OF them on board at one time, among them
being the wife. four daughters and two sons of
Admiral Wei, the intenaente of Valparaiso;
Julio Banados Espinosa. Balmaccda's minister
minister OF justice; Ismael Perez Montt. minis
ter OF war; Manuel Diaz, Daniel Balmaceda,
brother of the president and a number OF
others. Some Of these have found their way
back TO Chile. but others will mako Peru their
home for some time 10 come"
How about the story that Balmaceda es-
capped on board Of the San Francisco. admiralY'
oh, 1t was simply a case of mistaken iden-
tity. They thought Col. Nidaurre was the
president. The people Of Valparaiso would
h,.-z II. IL i n -
Nldaurre, however, a. Baimaceda. Had either
of them got into the hands OF their enemies
their lives would not have been worth n mo-
nents purchase. They would have been torn
limb from limb. Col Nidaurre president
Of the court that ordered twenty college boys
shot The boys had formed an organization
favoring the insurgents and they were found
out. Many escaped, but about twenty were
shot This aroused the people to a state of
frenzy and made them eager TO secure vi
daurre. He dressed himself up as a sailor. and.
pretending TO be drunk. managed TO reach our
ship. He was accompanied by one of his
officers and we landed both Of them in Peru ="
minister Egan has been very severely criti-
cised for the way he has conducted affairs in
Chile, and il is said that Americans are
thoroughly disliked in consequence. Do you
know anything about it,
MINISTER EGaS DEFENDED.
Admiral Brown replied: Il know this much,
dignified manner on all occasions. He saw that
all respec. was paid to his couItry's flag. and
acted on many trying occasions with great tact
and judgment From what / saw in Chile
Americans are well liked as any other ma
tionality. L understand that both Minister
Egan and myself were criticised for not send
ing word of the taking of Valparaiso, but the
wires were down, so how could We send a dis
patch! The only message which got through
was sent by newspaper reporter named
Wolf. He Is a San Francisco man and a credit
to his profession. After the city was taken a
reign OF terror ensued. Soldiers tore of their
uniforms and began firing friend and foe.
Every house and shop was shut up and the
operators fled from the telegraph Office. To-
| ward evening lull in the killing took place.
and the streets were partly cleared. Well
shipped ashore, interviewed number of people,
patch away. A few moments after the dis
patch had been sent the firing broke out again
and the mob cut the telegraph wires and
burned down a number of poles.
1t took me twenty-seyen hours with the aid
OF the police, to get the break repaired and
then sent on my communication TO the gov.
eminent. The wires to Santiago were also cut
SO Minister Egan could not telegraph letter.
The condition of affairs in Chile at that time
does not appeal to have been very well under
stood. For instance. James Gordon Bennett OF
| the New York Herald telegraphed Wolf after
the fall of Valparaiso, as follows: Find Balma-
ceda and Interview him. As about 50 ,00O
Chileans were at that moment seeking the same
man and thirsting for his blood Wolf was in a
dilemma He did his best, however, but OF
course failed. Balmaceda was at that time in
hiding at Santiago. Then there was an entire
| misconception as to the values paid for produce
and other goods. The only cargo that paid
expenses, should judge, was that which Mont
serratt brought down. OF course coal was $50
ton and potatoes 80 sack. but then you lost
sight Of the fact that the dollar was only worth
30 cents"