Las Vegas free press., 1892-01-26
The CHILEAN TROUBLES.

gentleman who was in Chile last
summer and fall, now residing in
Las Vegas, will undoubtedly be of
interest to our readers at present:
About one year ago war was de-
clared in Chile between the two po-
litical parties of the so-called repub-
lie, which was at that time under the
rule of Balmaceda as president.
Chile had for years been under re-
publican form of government and
had for years enjoyed all the bless
ings of free government. During
the administration of Balmaceda he
levied exorbitant taxes; condemned
to death many of his political oppo-
nents, confiscating their property;
recruited and maintained a very
large army; took all power away
from congress, and with the assist
ance of his army virtually trans
formed the once happy republic into
a monarchy. As the close of his ad-
ministration drew near Balmaceda
undertook, with the aid of his army,
to dictate who his successor should
be, in order that he might himself
escape arrest and punishment at the
end of his administration.
The patriotic men of the republic,
with the congress at their head, de-
string to hand down to their poster
ity the blessings of freedom and lib
erty, raised an insurrection for the
purpose of abolishlng the tyrannical
hand of their oppressor. The con
gressional, or insurgent, party was
composed Of the best blood of the
republic, and fought for the grandest
principles on earth.
The insurgent party, at the open
ing of the rebellion, took possession
of most of the Chilean navy and es
tablished their headquarters at
Iquique, the principal city in the
northern part of the republic. All
of the northern part Of the republic
was under the control of the insur.
gents, including the famous nitrate
fields and many valuable mining dis
tricts, which yielded an income of
many millions per annum. There
was no scarcity of men, but with all
their wealth and men they were pow
erless because they had no arms, and
the neutrality laws forbade other ma
tions furnishing arms to be used by |
insurgents in warfare against
friendly nation. Insurgent agents
were sent to the United States for
the purpose of obtaining arms, and
early IN May n heavy shipment of
arms arrived at San Francisco, was
taken from that place on the steamer
Robert and Minnie to San Clemente
island, and there transferred to the
Chilean steamer Itata, which vessel
was pursued by the United States
steamer Charleston, but, escaping
from her pursuing foe, the ltata en-
tered a small bay some distance south
of Iquique, and Immediately received
orders to return to Iquique and sur
render to the United States admiral
at that place.
The insurgents believed that sald
arms had been received on the ltata
outside Of American waters, and that
they would be permitted to leave
them at Iquique, but on the arrival Of
the Charleston the Itata was ordered
to return TO the United States with
all her arms. This greatly enraged
the insurgents, for their only need
was for arms, aud at this failure to
obtain them their cause seemed doubt
full. Other vessels arrived at Iquique
in August which brought the much
needed arms, and on the 18th the in
surgent forces were taken south by
the insurgent fleets.
On the goth news was received at
Valparaiso that the insurgent fleets
were at Quintero Bay. The United
States Ship Baltimore left Valpar-
also and returned about noon. The
evening papers made statements TO
the affect that through the kindness
of the United States officers the in
formation had been given to the
orfaI offioialc that tho In.