The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-17
President Balmaceda Thought by
His Enemies to Aspire to
be Dictator.
Az I.og9erhcads With the Cham
pers Concerning tho Subject
OF improvements.
OS the AntipOdaI Republic
A Foreign News.

NEw yoIsg, Jan. 1G.--A dispatch from Val
paraiso WAS received here to-day by g. II.
Flint Co., saying that tho navy Of Chill
Inns rsvolted, and declared against Presi-
dent Balmaceda and his arbitrary acts. No
particulars were given, but further news II
expected. M
The Chilian fleet consists 81 three iron
clads, one deck protected cruiser, ten first
class and two second class torpedo boats
two coryets, three rams, four gunboats, two
transports and four sailing vessels. The
most powerful Of these ships are tho Ami
rarte Cochrane, Elanco Encolada, Esmer-
aida aid Hnazar. The Hnazar was captured
from the Peruvians in 1879, after dcsper
ate fight.
The personnel of the navy consists Of
four rear admirals. forty-three captains,
thirty-nine lieutenants. 1I2 other officers,
/, ,4G6 sailors and GOO marines. There is a
naval college at Valparaiso, with about 1OC
students.
Some light is thrown upon the political
situation in Chill by tho latest Chilian pa
pers ut hand. II has been known generally
and explained here that President Balma.
ceda has been for tho last sixteen months
at loggerheads with the Gillian chambers;
that he has often changed his ministers
now in accordance with the wishes Of the
chambers, and again in opposition to those
wishes. He has been constantly accused Of
entertaining dictatorial ambitions. and aim
ing mt his own reelection or that Of his too
devoted and rather unpopular friend, Senor
Sanfucnte,. The last charge WAS that Bal
maceda and his agents were tamperine
with the registration Of voters, who were
soon to proceed TO general election.
George l.. Duvall, OF Brooklyn, who has
been In business in Chill for several years,
and recently returned TO this country, said
tonight that the cause Of the trouble was
to be found in I'm agitation in favor Of a
new election law. "rhe country is clamor-
ous," said Mr.. Duvall, "for new system
OF making nominations for president. The
old system has no primaries or nomination
conventions. The candidates simply an
nortne themselves. The president Il
chosen by indirect ballot, the people first
choosing delegate by ballot and the dele
gates eiectin2 the president. The intend
ents or mayors Of the cities, and the gov
ernors OF the provinces are not elevated by
the people. They are appointed by the
president and may be removed by him il
he chooses. The president is elected
for five years and is ineligible for re-eIec-
tion, but this tremendous power of patron
age practically enables him to dictate his
successor, thus making the party in power
in n measure self .perpetuatino. President
Balmaceda was elected in 1886. His term
expires next September. The elections are
held in April. He is n very able man and ID
considered to be very patriotic. His admin
istration has been progressive. The country
is just now enjoying remarkably prosper
Gus era. The revenues derived from the
nitrate soda mines acquired in the war with
Peru amount to 25,C00,000 pesos year, OF
it advisable to expend this sum in internal