The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-25
IN A BAD WAY.
The Condition of Affairs on the Chilean
Coast.

The Condition of Affairs on the Chilean
Coast.
PANAMA, July 24-Several passengers,
who arrived at MOllendo, June 23d, in
German steamer, assert that the Govern
ment troops that went from Valparaiso to
CoQuimbo had started for La Serena and
destroyed all the war material at that place.
Commercially things were in bad way at
Iquique. The condition at Pisagua from the
effect of the present war is sad There is
no work and the majority of the people are
poverty-stricken. Regarding the late in
surrection at Coquimbo, it is reported that
many of Balmaceda's soldiers, being dis
satisfied. abandoned the rest of the troops.
The torpedo cruisers Condell and Lynch,
accompanied by the transport Imperial, re-
turned to Valparaiso on June 14th. From
Pisagua they brought $4,000 duty paid on
nitrate by vessel that was found there al
ready loaded. They have also brought GER
tain important documents that threw some
light on the proceedings at IQuique. The
Government takes greater precautions every
day to prevent those who do not side with
it from leaving the country, and notwith-
standing duly guaranteed passports no one
that leaves Valparaiso can be certain he
will reach his destination, for, with or
Nithoue JNob Souoct hO may VIC uCldlHeu dl
any of the other ports held by Balmaceda s
troops on the slightest suspicion.
SCARCITY OF WHEAT.
Owing to the Chilean Government having
prohibited the expectation of wheat and
-four to northern ports the situation is as
suming serious aspect at Lima, and has
been taken into consideration by the Peru
vian Government The Peruvian Consul at
Valparaiso has been requested to give au-
thentic information on the subject, in order
to decide the course to be adopted. Un-
doubtedly the question is one of great i'm
portance, for the bread consumed on the
whole Peruvian coast is made out OF
foreign wheat, ground in Lima mills, and
the greater part of this wheat comes from
Chile, but all the Peruvian Government
can do is to give official notice Of the fact to
the public and let each one find for himself
means to meet the difficulties that will
naturally arise. Owing to Balmacedas s
prohibitory decree the price of bread has
already risen considerably, but this will
probably not last long as orders were sent
Immediately to San Francisco for large
supply of wheat that should arrive about
the middle OF the present month.
CRUISERS RELEASED.
A great deal of excitement has been oc-
casioned here this week by the news from
France that the new Chilean war-ships
have been released. This, it is believed in
Chilean circles here, means the speedy ter
mination of the war and the triumph of
Balmaceda. He already possesses all the
troops anu transports necessary to conduct
vigorous campaign in the north, his trou-
BILE hitherto having been the want of ade-
quate protection for transports which
would have been promptly blown out OF the
water by the heavy Congressional ships.
One large, well-equipped army of the Dieta-
tor thrown upon the Congressional soil
must end the struggle. 1t is understood the
COngressionalists are actively engaged in an
endeavGr to pull themselves together and
strike decisive blow ere naval re-enforce-
mentS can enable Balmaceda to turn the
tables on them. That they will be able to
do this is, however. very much doubted.
HIS PAY WITHHELD.
LONDON, July 24.-Captain Armil, re-
Gently an officer on the Chilean war-ship
Presdente Pinto, writes to the press warn
lug EngliShmen not to accept the offers made
by President Balmaceda's agents. He says
that lie did three months service in the
Chilean Navy, under Admiral Latorre, and
claims that he was unable to get payment
for his services, and that the sailors who
asked for their pay were put in irons.
THE PINTO PowERLEss.
PARIS, July 24.-As the Chilean cruiser
Presidente Pinto, one of the Balmacedan
vessels, was leaving the harbor of Toulon
to-day she ran aground in critical posi-
tion, Government tugs hauled her off, how
ever. The authorities have embargoed the
powder sent for the use OF the Pinto from