New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE HUNT FOR THE ITATA.
FOUR UNITED STATES VESSELS IN QUEST OF
THE GILLIAN STEAMER.
EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS BEING MADE ~
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT TO REcAPrURx
THE REBEL vEssEL-THE CHARLES
TONS PURsUIT-ARMAMENT OF
THE AMERICAN wARsHPs.
FRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNAL

ment authorities there are four United States
vessels in the Pacific to-day in quest OF the Chiian
steamer Itata. report was received at the Navy
Department early this morning from Captain
Remey of the Charleston He had handed tho
dispatch to q plot-boat officer, and 1t was sent
from San Pedro Cal, about 100 miles north OF
San Diego. In conformity with the Departments
orders the Charleston was going south. the direc-
ton supposed to have been taken by the ltata.
The chase on the part Of the Charleston VIII DC
kent up until the territory allotted TO the San
Francisco and Baltimore in the South Pacific is
reached. The Department has instructed Captain
Remey to inspect harbors and waterways along
the coast where, in his Judgment. the fugitive
vessel is likely to stop. 1t is thought that the
original plan of the Itata was TO go direct to
Chilian waters Her mission in the North was
evidently awaited by the insurgents, who are ex-
pected to afford their vessel all the protection
in their power.
The intention of this Government, IL is thought
has reached the Chian rebels, but il still remains
a question TO what extent the latter can resist
The Navy Department has been kept informed OF
the state of affairs in Chill since the arrival OF
Admiral McCann with the Pensacola in Chilian
waters He has given the Department his views
on the different phases Of the rebellion and kept
the Secretary informed TO probable results
Upon this source of information the Department
depends for the movements and purposes OF tile
Chian insurgents Their actions are now more
closely observed than heretofore, and any mten'
ton on their part of resisting the seizure Oh the
Itata is likely TO be known in Washington and
prepared for While Admiral Brown, Of the San
Francisco. and Captain Schey, of the Baltimore.
have been ordered to intercept the Itata in the
South. Admiral McCann, of the Pensacola, has
been directed to keep the Department posted on
the attitude of the rebels, and anything like
,yarlike nreuaration in that direction would DC
nromntlv met The vessels which are engaged In
the search will touch at stipulated ports along
tho coast with the double purpose Of In
snecting the shipping and to communicate WIN
the Department. BY this plan the vessels can
no gathered at will in any particular Locality ana
co foil any violent resistance contemplated by the
hellgerent party. 1t is by no means clear 10 the
authorities that such effort is purposed py the
rebels. who are not regarded as desirous OF eaV-
ing Chilian waters, even for the protectlon ol
the Itata If it becomes known to the Insurgents
that the United States intends seizing the Vessei
IL s felt that they will hardly resist the purpose
of this Government. The action OF the rebels,
however, will depend upon the necessity existing
for the arms and ammunition transferred 10 ehe
Itata from the schooner Robert and Minnie on I II
day Should the cause Of the rebels, as Is sta'eu
in eof the dispatches from Chill, be dependsns
upon the supplies expected by the Itata, there 10
no knowing to what extremity the reDeS wouiu
30. Their desperation would make 1hem no
incouseouential contestants, even with the fight
ing power of their vessels less than that OF tne
American pursuen. This is contingency of
which the commanding officers OF the four United
States vessels are warned. To the officers has
been allowed full discretionary power of proceed
IRE so that the Itata is taken without unwar-
rantabe destruction to the American force.
Another point in the case appeared to-day In The
question whether the Itata would be exempt from
seizure if she should now clear at BRUSH port
This seems to be disposed of negatively. Had the
Itota taken on the materials of war in the open
sea and then gone into a British port-that Is,
some place along the British Columbian COAST
and there cleared according TO law, the matter Oh
her pursuit would have been rather for the Eng
lish than the American authorities. Inc laa
has as the circumstances exist, violated the Gus
toms laws of this country in her sailing without
clearance. the kidnapping of United States oiicer
and her lack of national standing Inc DeparC
ment finds abundant authority for the pursuit
and arrest upon the open seas or Vessei winch
commits an infraction of law" The fact that the
Itata was tardily cleared at British Paclfc poro
does not. in the opinion of Secretary Tracy's legal
advisers. alter the right Of this Government 10
seize the Chilian The Navy Department mas
not of course given out any Official statement oi
IT'S purposes or Of its action. The pupncauoh ~
Sundays Tribune Of the orders TO the vessels III
the Pacific was the first definite announcements
made of the Departments plans IBIS reuoehcS
on the part of the officials comes from the desue
10 keep from persons interested the future move
ments Of American VesseS.
Among officers Of the Navy whom lriounc
corresuondent saw to-day there seemed 10 oe an
;ronress;on that one or another of the United
States cruisers will be likely to overnauI tne i'aea
before sbe can reach Chilian port which 10 in
nossession of the rebels, and none OF Them eA-
messed any doubt that if overtaken she Will DC
brought back to the United States without TO
sistance Among other things it was said that
il would be the height of folly for war-vessei
or any number of war-vesscls in possession OF the
Cbilian insurgents to open fire upon vessel OF
,be limited States Navy any other navy, because
mn Government has recognized the insurgents as
belHOerents This was said in response 10 tno
renort that tho ltata might be found under con-
vov of the Chilian warship Esmeralda, now undcr
control of the rebels
There were many inquiries respecting tne armn-
ment of the Charleston, Baltimore ana Dan fian-
cisco. three sruisers of the new Navy, ana thefe
was disposition to attach undue significance 70
the fact that four of the six-inch guns OF the
Charleston wee lately replaced by two eight-inch
riaes The fact is that the CharlestonS eight
inch guns were not ready when she sailed on her
first cruise, and the number Of sx-inch guns was
temporarily increased for that reason. As soon as
the eightinch guns were completed they were
shipped to San Francisco, and the main battery
which she now carries is the one which was de-
signed at the outset, and which is The same as
that of the Boston and Atlanta.
1t may be of interest at this time 10 state what
the armament of the three new cruisers now In the
Pacific. The Charleston carries six six-incn ana
two eight-inch breechloadng rifles in her main
battery with 100 rounds Of ammunition for eacn
gun Her secondary battery consists OF four SIX
pounder two hree-pounder and two one FOUNDER
IL .aia4. .inaa. four a1 MN HofchLiss r.