The morning call., 1891-06-05
WAR IN CHILE.
President Balmaceda Given Absolute Powel
by His Congress

President Balmaceda Given Absolute Power
by His Congress.
WASHINGTON, June 4.-South American
mails just received by the Bureau of Ameri-
can Republics contain interesting details OF
the Chilean civil war. The new Chilean
Congress convened by Balmaceda has placed
absolute power in his hands. 1t has author
lied him pending the pacifcation of the
country" to arrest and transport people at
will; to augment the land and sea forces to
expend public revenues without regard to
estimates; to procure money by pledging
the credit Of the State, rendering an account
10 Congress, and TO suspend the right Of
meeting and the liberty of the press.
In pursuance Of these powers DEGREES are
published in the Diario Official releasing
four prominent citizens suspected Of SYM
pathy with the Congressional revolutionists
from Imprisonment In Santiago prison on
their depositing $4,000 each in the Val
paraiso National b ank to the order Of the
Secretary OF the Interior, conditioned on
their not taking part in the revolution.
They are further required to reside in
Europe, and not TO return to Chile without
special permission of The Government. Ten
or twelve other citizens are also released
from Imprisonment on similar conditions,
their bonds ranging from $1,000 to $500
but with permiss ion to remain within
Chilean territory, pro vIded they do not
take part ia politics"
The Almrante Lynch and the Condell,
the two torpedo boats which surprised and
sunk the insuTgent iron-clad BlancO Enca-
ada, but which appear to have been less
successful IN subsequent operations while
lying in Valparaiso harboT, are guarded by
two field pieces and several mitTailleuSeS
cfs.ff naA 81 10 =
cure them against treacheTy from within or
without.
United States Minister Egan and all the
members Of the diplomatic corps attended
the opening Of Balmaeeda's Congress ex-
cept the German and Italian Ministers. The
British, French, German and Italian gov
eTnmentS, it is understood. have protested
against the decree closing ports now held by
the insurgents. The representatives of the
inSuTrectiOnary party claim that these ports
produce a revenue OF S23,000,000 and that
there are 60,000 foreigners resident in the
provinces which the insurectI0nlsts con-
troll Famine prices were said to be pre-
Yailing at Iquique. Meat " as selling al 20
cents q pound, potatoes at $50 bag and
-four at $50 a bag.
President Balmaceda, on May 4th, issued
decree closing to commerce tie following
ports: Chanaral Taltal, Antafogasta, TOGO
plla, Iquique Caleta Buena, Junin, Pisagua
and intermediate by-pOris, so long as they
remained IN the possession VI the insurgents,
and on April 14th he also issued decree
ordering the dispatch Of all merchandise from
the Custom-house Within twenty days, per-
sons not complying to pay per cent on the
value Of the merchandise during the twenty
days thereafter, per cent for the next
twenty Gays and 10 per cent for like sue
ceeding period. After this goods can ONLY
be DELAYED for a term equal to the previous
ones. at the expiration Of the last twenty
days the goods are to be sold by auction and
the amount realized, after deducting storage
dues and expenses of sale, is to be paid to
tile owners or consignees