New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-05
THE ITATA IN CUSTODY.
SHE SURRENDEkS HER CARGO OF ARMS TC
AMERICAN wARSHIPS AT IQUIQUE.
FIVE THOUSAND RIFLES GIVEN UP-THE
CHARLESTON REACHES IoUIoUE FEW
HOURS AFTER THE ITATA-sATI sFAc-
TION FELT IN WASHINGTON

CHARLESTON REACHES IoUIoUE FEW
HOURS AFTER THE ITATA-sATI sFAC-
TIoN FELT IN WASHINGTON.
Iqnique, via Galveston June 4-The steamship
Itata arrived here this morning from Tocopila ana
has handed over to the American warsnips' 10
which she surrendered, all the arms she took on
board of San Diego These consist Of 5'ooo
rifles.
The Charleston arrived here at noon to-day
from africa.
The commander of the Itata states that the arms
were not embarked at San Diego, but at point
many miles at sea- The Iquique Government
claims that this circumstance mOdifes the situa-
ton considerably and will probably result IN
speedy solution of the difficulties between the ad-
mrals and the Junta. The authorities at the
same time declare that the cargo of the ltata Is
Of little Importance, taking into consideration the
small number Of the arms
Washington, June 4.-The Navy Department
received official information tonight of the peace
full surrender of the Chilian insurgent steamer
Itata at Iquique to-day. This information was
contained in dispatch from Acting Rear Admiral
NcCann received by Secretary Tracy several
hours after the regular time Of closing OF the
Department The dispatch came in cipher, and
il took about three hours to translate it, and even
then there were several instances in which lts
contents had not been fully interpreted.
In effect the dispatch stated that the Itata had
arrived at Iquique, from Tocopilla last night,
and was placed at the disposition of Admiral
McCann this morning She had on board, the
dispatch says 5000 rifles and also ammunition
taken from the schooner Robert and Minnie, of
the port of San Diego, Cal. She had no other
munitions of war than those belonging to the ship
nd had trop uotbiDU m tho ESupralda.
with whom she communicated off Acapulco Mex
icO. After communicating with this insursent
cruiser she went direct to Tocoplla.
Admiral McCann says also that the cruiser
Charleston arrived at Iquiquc to-day and that the
Pensacola was expected before nightfaI
The Itata will now be sent back to San Diego,
probably under the convoy of one of the cruisers
of the Admirals squadron, as soon as she can coal
and prepare for the return trip. She will be de
livered to the United States Court officers at San
Diego, and the proceedings against her for viola
ton Of the neutrality laws will be resumed at the
point where they were interrupted by the unlaw-
full departure of the steamship, and the responsible
parties WILL if they appear also he called upon to
answer the additional charge of contempt OF court
in running away while under injunction.
Secretary Tracy gave to an Associated Press
reporter tonight the chain of circumstances that
has led up to the peaceful surrender to the United
States Of the Itata to-day. The Secretary said
that the desire for surrender came from the
leaders of the insurgent party at lQuique. Shortly
after the vessel had Illegally escaped from the
custody Of the Marshal at san Diego the Govern
mcnt was informed by these leaders that they
disapproved the action Of the officers of the vessel
the moment she escaped and made offers through
Admiral McCann TO surrender her peaccably 10
the Cnited States soon as she ar
rived in Chilian waters These offers
were then communicated to the Department al
Washington, and in due time were accepted by
this Government without. however, implying any
recognition on the part of the United States of the
insurgents as belligerents. The proposition for
peaceful surrender pending at the time the
Charleston, which was in pursuit OF the ltata, was
ut Acapulco replenishing her diminished coal
supply
AS soon as the offer formally accepted a
telegram authorizing him 10 cease the chase was
sent tO Captain Remey, of the Charleston, but
the steamer had already sailed when the tele-
gram reached Acapulco, and the Captain, unaware
Of the turn affairs had taken, proceeded on his
search for the escaped vessel.
The fact of the acceptance of the offers 10 sur
render the ltata on her arrival in Chilian waters
was therefore communicated to Admiral McCann,
who was therefore prepared to receive the Itata
on her arrival Secretary Tracy said that the ltata
would Ike sent up the coast TO San Diego, to an
swer the charges against her in court.