The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-20

TWO American sailors in the street. A
crowd near by was waiting to attack them
should they resent the insult, so it was said,
at the time. The Baltimore's men took
refuge on tram car, but the crowd stopped
the car and hauled tie men out, beating
them with sticks and stones and knitting
them. The promoter fiscal has accepted
the story that the trouble began with the
resenting by the Americans Of the splitting
In their faces by some Chileans.
PRECoNoERTED ATTACK.
For all that my information leads me TO
believe that the attack broke out slmul-
taneously in four different parts of the city.
as charged in President Harrison's message.
This Is denied by the Chileans, and the PRO
moter closes the introduction to his report
by asserting that the fight owes its origin to
two drunken Baltimore sailors striking
Chilean sailor. He then recounCs the list
Of injured and says it has only
been possible to establish the culpability of
four men. The testimony of James John
son and Charles Langin. two of the balti-
more's crew, whose testimony was taken
here, was rejected for alleged inconsisten-
cies and the conclusion is drawn that per-
sons who indulge in such inconsiste9 cies are
not worthy of relief He says further that
their testimony is contradicted by
that Of numerous witnesses, which
fully proves that 1t is not possible to att
tribute Higgins death to the police but
that 1t was the work of some unknown per-
son thus far undetected. l will add that
the testimony of these numerous witnesses
Is as full of Inconsistencies as that Of john
son and Langin.
NATURE OF THE BULLET WOUND
Then follows the report of the expert on
the bullet holes. He says: "Opinion is di-
vided on this point among the doctors still,
and while they assert their opinion that it
was caused by a rife bullet it is rejected
because they give no reason for the opinion"
DR.. Cavillo and DR.. Calderon maintain
that they cannot tell If the bullet caused
Higgins death, and give as q reason that
they saw the body the day after death.
This Is accepted.
The testimony Of johnson, the sailor who
was carrying Riggin upon his back when the
rifle ball killed Riggin, is also rejected as
unworthy of belief.
The report goes on 30 say that In the case
Of Turnbull there is much conflicting testi-
mony, but on the strength of an admission
by Carlos Gomez, that he used knife
against Turnbull, and the evidence of two
witnesses that Jose Ahumada inflicted
blows on the Americans and that FREDERICK
Rodridguez stabbed Riggin in the hip, they
find them guilty. but add that there is no
evidence to show that Turnbull's death was
caused by the wounds Inflicted by Carries
Gomez.
John Davidson, a Baltimore sailor, is
found guilty of hitting with stone a one
armed sailor who was knitting an American
sailor.
The final findings were as follows: 81 ask
the court to condemn FREDERICK Rodriguez
to punishment In the minimum degree of
from 81 to $40 days; Carlos Gomez, to minor
punishment in the maximum degree for 8
years; John Davidson, to prison In the me-
dium degree from 10 to Is days; Jose
Ahumada, to prison in the medium degree
from years and day to years."
SEEM TO BE CoURTING WAR.
A gentleman who understands the Chilean
people and government pretty we'll says it
is difficult to say what is the motive of
some of the governments conduct, unless it
be war. Some things can be explained
away and some other things cannot. Some
times they seem to be bent on making
difficulties and adding insult TO insult.
They have a very good opinion OF
themselves and fancy they ara great diplo.
mats, but they seem to care precious little
for the diplomatic rights Of others. Among
some of them. 30 says my informant, the
opinion prevails that the United States
would not condescend to fight so inferior
a foe, but among very many Others there
exists an insane belief that she would not
dare to do SO.
A MISCHIEFMAKER.
One of the latest disclosures is the curious
fact that Mr.. Thompson, the correspondent
Of the London Times, is trying TO sell the
Chilean government a man-of-war. This
man is active in other directions 1t is he
who has caused to be inserted in Chilean
papers selections from lot of European
journals to the effect that the United States
has no navy worth noticing and that Chile
could with almost no trouble at all sink all
her ships and levy contribution on San
Francisco.
The Chileans, when pressed hard, are
forced to admit that they would of neces-
sity be compelled to submit to the United
States in the end. That would be tenn
pered, however, and they would he let off
very easily by their superior diplomacy.
The Chilean fleet has had steam up for
the last three or four days and they have
more or less torpedo practice every day.
The authorities now give out that the ships
are to go to the south for exercise.
A generally accepted rumor thcu h,
is that they have been or
dered to the Straits OF Magellan with
the intention of lying in wait for Admiral
Walker and the white squadron, in case he
should be ordered TO the west coast. This
may or may not be true. but there is no
doubt that the ships are in lighting trim and
ready for action.
MINISTER EGAN PRAISED.
SAN Francisco, CAL, Jan. 19.-The
Methodist ministers of this city were ad~
dressed Sunday by Rev. Mcintyre, chap
lain of the United States man-of-war Bal
timore His remarks were directed entirely
to the Chilean imbrogllo and the causes
which led up 10 it. Concerning Minister
Egau he said that no matter what his pre-
vious record might have been, his action in
the present trouble Was worthy Of all praise,
calm, watohful, determined and thoroughly
American.
RUSHING WORK ON THE SHIPS.
The efforts to prepare the warships at
Mare Island for sea service were redoubled
to-day, and by far the largest force of men
since the close of the war between the
states are now working day aud
night. Electric light plants have been
set up, enabling the men to work in the
docks at night without cessation, and large
force of outside machinists reported at the
yards to-day to complete the work on the
wooden feet as well as upon the steel cruis-
ers. The force in the steam engineering
department was also largely increased
this morning, and there Is a desire to &C
complish as much work as possible in
the shortest time The wooden ships
Adams, Ranger and Nipsio have been asked
for by the navy department. The Mohican
is ready and can leave the yard at any time,
having her crew and stores on board. Naval
officers refuse to discuss matters concerning
what is likely TO be done.
REFUGEES REPORTED WRECKED.
LONDON, Jan. 19.-The Pacific Steam
Navi0ation Company mail steamer John