The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-03
Chileans Admit Stabbing the
American Sailors.
THREE OF THEM CONVICTED.
Sudden Anxiety of South Americans
to Arbitrate the Dispute.
another steamer, Probably the Balti-
more, Anchors on San Diego, Where
the San Francisco and Charleston Lie,

VALPARAISO, Jan. 2-TNew York Herald
special. The procurator fiscal has con-
Guided his review OF the Baltimore case.
lie hnds Rogriguez, Gomaz and Azumada,
three OF the rioters held by Judge Foster.
guilty of stabbing and otherwise wound
ing American sailors, but says the evil
dence Is not strong enough to
show that the wounds inflicted by
the prisoners caused the death of
Boatswain's Mate Riggin and Coal HEAVIER
Turnbuti. He finds the Baltimore sailor
Davidson guilty of assault upon Chilean
sailors. Rodriguez acknowledges stabbing
Rlggln because the latter assaulted one of
the crew of the Chilean torpedo boat
Almirante Cochrane. Seeing the seaman
Ill treated, Rodriguez stuck knife into
Higgins back. Gomaz admitted stabbing
Turnbull in the back three times,
and said he did so in defending some
friends whom Turnbull knocked down.
Azumada denied having anything to do
with the assault, but was shown by other
witnesses to have participated. Cortes.
another prisoner also alleged that he took
no part in the affair. A revolver was
found on him, but he said he carried it
to defend himself. 1t now only remains
Tor Judge Foster to pass sentence on the
three convicted prisoners. Relative to
Cortes' implication, the prosecution says
more data are required. Fiscal comes to
the conclusion that it is impossible to de-
termine who fired the first shot, which
killed Riggin.
Ii will be remembered that one Of the
witnesses, according to Judge Fosters re-
port, testified that he saw three policemen
holding Riggin at the time the fatal shot
was fired.
A prominent official today informed the
Herald correspondent that Minister Pedro
Montt had been notified that the
Chilean government was willing
and anxious to accept arbitra-
tors mutually agreeable to both
countries in the Baltimore affair. If that
course is accepted by the United States
the entire report of Fiscal will be cabled
Monday for the information of the United
States government.
1t is probable an extended amnesty bill
will be proclaimed shortly.
SAN DIEGO, Cal, Jan. 2-It Is reported
tonight that the Baltimore was lying off
the harbor. showing search-hght.
If it is the Baltimore. she evidently does
not intend to come into the harbor to-
night
The cruiser Charleston began taking on
supplies of ammunition from the cruiser
San Francisco this morning, the latter
vessel displaying a red flag at the foretop
masthead when the transfer of powder
was commenced. The San Francisco
has begun taking on supplies.
the first item being 5000
gallons of water. No orders have been re-
ceived yet beyond requiring the vessels to
be ready for sea at moments notice. 1t
was stated yesterday that San Diego would
be the base OF supplies and operations in
the event of trouble with Chile,
and that the entire Pacific squadron, in
Guiding the Boston, would rendezvous at
this port. There was also a report last
night that General McCook had made ar
rangements for quarters for three COM
panies of artillery which would be ordered
here.
WASHINGTON City, Jan. 2.-No dis
patches were received at the departments
today touching on the Chilean situation.
Secretary Blaine spent several hours at
the department of state and saw the
British minister and several other
persons, but Senor Montt, the Chilean
=
At the navy department il was admitted
that Judge Advocate General Remy is on
his way TO San Francisco TO make formal
inquiry into the Baltimore incident on
the arrival of that vessel. The testimony
will be reduced to form and turned
over TO the department of state TO
be used in meeting the representations
to be made by the Chilean government. 1t
i II. 1
the testimony to be collected by the Judge
advocate general in the correspondence to
be transmitted to congress by the presi-
dent. If this should be the purpose the
correspondence could not be sent to con-
gress before the latter part of the present
month.
An inquiry, it is stated. has been sent to
San Francisco, asking for an estimate of
the cost of fitting up big merchant ves-
sci into a floating machine and repair shop.
1t is proposed TO outfit the ship
in a complete manner so that if any
break whatsoever occurs in one Of our
vessels. repairs can be made speedily and
at all times and the expense OF sending a
vessel 10 the navy yard can be saved. In
this case speedy action Is desired, and
such a vessel will undoubtedly be
furnished with all necessary machinery
and tools. and he sent to Southern waters
if a war should occur with Chile.
BERLIN. Jan. 2-Reports have reached
here bv cable that the German minister
had offered the good offices o: Germany as
mediator between Chile and the United
States. These reports have been semi
Officially denied The foreign department
does not think it necessary TO telegraph
the minister asking how the rumor arose.
az no instructions warranting interference
have been sent him.