The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-09
THE VALPARAISO OUTRAGE
Testimony of the Baltimore's Sailors
that They We're Assaulted BY Police.
Evidence In Direct Conflict with the State
ments of CHILEAN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Report Submitted by Minister Montt.

VALLEJO, Cal, Jan. Sat the investiga-
ton to- day into the assault upon the sail
ors of the Baltimore at Valparaiso. Chas.
LANCER, O seaman. testified that he was in
the International Hotel with johnson,
who yesterday gave evidence directly i'm
plicating the Gillian men-of-war. police
and soldiery in the killing of Boatswai
Mate Riggin. Langer's testimony to-day
was even stronger than Johnson's Ac-
cording to LANCER. when RIgcin rose the
first time two policemen came up with
short swords and knocked him down again.
They then stood back and let the crowd
stab and beat him. Riggin seemed to be
seeking protection of the police hen they
knocked him down. Afterward squad of
soldiers approached. marching by twos. un-
der command of q mounted officer. They
marched to within six feet from where
johnson was holding Riggin in his arms
There they halted and the first two SOL
diers leveled their rifles and fired at the
two American sailors. IL was about tif-
teen feet off to one side" said LangeD, mo
one was between me and them, the crowd
being back of the soldiers al that moment.
No other shots were fired by any one. 1
saw the soldiers distinct ly level their rifles
at the Baltimore men and fire. The crowd
had drawn back when the soldiers came up,
leaving clear passage between Riggin
and the soldiers. After the first shot vas
fired the soldiers pressed forward little
and | could not see the second rifle fired.
but am sure it was one of the leading SOL
diers that tired"
Another dispatch says: The evidence nd.
duced to-day brought forth more strongly
han var he far hat ha nos hod haayp
planned beforehand. At the same time Rig
gin WAS lying on the pavement while two
policemen idly watched the mob plunging
their knives into his back. two negro coal.
tss city were ay,ns before part mo5
of CHILEAN men-of-war. who finally stabbed
one and robbed the other. Another man
in still a third part of the district was
chased and thrown into the bay and would
have been drowned but for the protection
given him by French naval officer. The
claim is made by the procurator of VAL
paraiso that ell but two witnesses testified
that the police had done their duty has
been completely demolished. OF the seven
the contrary before the CHILEAN court.
The repairs on the Baltimore will be very
slight. 1t has been found that the paint Is
Oft the hull only along the water-Iine. and,
except for q slight reduction of speed.
cansed by barnacles. she could have re-
manned at Valparaiso indefinitely. 1t has
just become known to the officers of the Bal
timore that John HI. Davidson, of the crew,
was tried by Criminal Court at Valparaiso
on q charge even yet unknown. convicted
and sentenced to five years imprisonment
without either himself or Captain Schiey
being Informed that he was under trial.
and in face of written statement TO Cap
tain Schley by the Valparaiso authorities
that no charges were pending against any
of the Baltimore's crew. Davidson is still
on the Baltimore's ships books. Forty
three out of the party of the Baltlmore's
sailors that were mobbed were petty
officers of the ship. and all the men were in
first-conduct grade.