The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-02
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
Festivities similar TO those of Christ.
mas ushered In the new year-ls9i-at VAL
paradise, and as the turmoil gradually sub
sided and the city assumed again its usual
everyday aspect, the smolderfng fires of
discomfort were again stirred within the
breasts of the people. and the one absorb
ing topic OF their thoughts was TO seek
prompt and speedy redress of their grew
ances against the government by means
OF open revolt Before the middle of JAM
uary was reached decidedly turbulent ele-
ment was rampant, notably among the
lower classes of the populace. and the gov
eminent was forced to adopt stringent
measures to suppress the riots. which be-
came of frequent occurrence The police
forces throughout the city were doubled,
and after dark mounted squads patrolled
the streets and broke up all gatherings
and assembiages In the open squares.
Early one morning In January the In
tendente was startled out OF his slumbers
by the information, transmitted to him by
the captain of the port, that the whole
naval squadron was leaving the bay with
out orders whatsoever from the naval au-
thorities on shore. which unwarranted
breach of discipline lead 10 no other sur
mise than that the fleet contemplated conn
mencing hostilities against the government
of the republic. Military and naval Of
fieials in the city who sided with Presi-
dent Balmaceda were dumfounded at the
dire calamity that was threatening the
government. for IL was soon ascsrtained
that the men-of-war were cruising short
distance off shore, commanding the en-
trance of the bay, and might easily, IL so
inclined. run the gauntlet of the few small
forts and lombard the city after procla-
nation to the foreign residents.
The news spread Ike wild fire among the
populacs. and large crowds began to as
fha a.ta md al Cty
Adherents OF the opposition party began
TO celebrate by freely imbibing in liquor
and soon shouts of viva la opposicion,'
were heard. as the poems" in their befud-
died condition began TO mingle with the
crowd. The better element of the people,
however. remained orderly and quiet. for
IL was not safe to utter expressions of
sympathy. The police and government
spies were on the alert and arrests might
follow promptly.
The only foreign man-of-war In port at
the time was the British corvette Cham.
pion. Two old wooden vessels. one used
as a school ship for the cadets from the
naval college, the other as store ship.
were the only government vessels left at
anchor In the bay by the squadron, which
was composed of strong and well equipped
iron battleships and cruisers. built in En-
gland. The Almirante Cochrane. Blanco
EncaIada. Esmeralda and others were OF
their All carrying HtdNy dElit-
ments. During the forenoon steam
launches from the feet, manned by we'll
armed crews. entered the bay and cap
tured several large lighters, which were
towed alongside OF the school ship, where
all the hammocks and clothes OF the ca
diets were confscated and loaded into
them, the youngsters being told to repair
ashore In the best manner possible and re-
port themselves at the naval college. All
the stores from the store ship were like
wise loaded into the lighters. which were
then towed out OF the bay towards the
squadron.
Crowds Of poems and people of all classes
and standing went out In the bay In all
manner of craft for the purpose of offer
ing their services as volunteers in the ranks
OF the opposition forces. and, as may be
imagined, they were gladly accepted and
forthwith transferred on board the men
of-war, where they were uniformed and
well provided for. Money in plenty was at
the disposal OF the naval squadron, Don
Augustin Edwards, the rich banker. and
other prominent millionaires were aboard
the different vessels OF the fleet. and II was
easy for the opposition party TO defray all
expenses and offer tempting Inducements
TO the men serving their cause. feeding
and paying them well and regularly,
which was the reverse with the soldiers
OF Balmaceda's government. who were III
whenever an opportunity presented itself.
on the second day OF the insurrection,
at an early hour in the morning. while the
boats OF the various butchers and ship
chambers who supplied the merchant ship
ping were out In the bay TO deliver the
meat vegetables. etc, they were surpris-
ed by the armed boats OF the squadron,
which confiscated ell their supplies and
carried them aboard the men-of-war. to
the great discontinue of the butchers and
their customers. Nothing had been done
so far by the government 10 interfere with
the movements OF the insurgents but when
later in the day the boats again entered
the bay for the purpose Of securing more
volunteers, they were fired upon from the
mole. where a detachment OF soldiers had
been stationed with two Calling guns be-
hind high bsrricsde OF sand bags The
boats returned the fire and after having
secured another batch Of volunteers, ~
whom several were wounded in the melee
beat hasty retreat Strict orders were
now issued by the captain OF the port 10
all masters OF merchant vessels forbid
ding eli communication between the shore
and the shipping. All the boats 90 the
'fietercs'' were laid up. and the crews
aboard the vessels in the harbor had 20
subslst on salt provisions for the while
The Champions boats were the only ones
| permitted 20 land on the mole on steam
er DAYS strict surveillance was exercised
over sill passengers entering or leaving the
| port hy the steamers OF the Pacific Steam
Navigation Company. which sail under the
! British flag ard were allowed 10 enter the
port. All the steamers OF the Chilean conf
many were chartered by the government
| 10 serve a. troop ships ard transports, AZ
ter being furnished with armament. Re-
/ Inducements Of troops arrived from SAN
| tiaeo TO defend the city against attack.
/ and recruiting was carried on by the gov
| eminent throughout the country meet
| irg with small results however. The for
/ ;srrztions 81 the bay were supplied with
| heavier ordnance. and the beach az FAR as
/ the mouth OF the harbor was ratrollei
rfSht and day by armed forces Notwfth-
/ standing these precautions. the onrosl-
/ tionists succeeded IN capturing several II
che Chilean compaEy'S steamers. some
/ small tugs. ard evea the captain CT the
l ports steam launch
Tn. n-st fatalities occurred when an
| a~naas tug OF the insurgents entered the
/ h4rt~,r one day ard opened Ere o. coaches
I ;, which a regiment OF soldiers were b.
! tnsr conveyed from the railway station 70
- r,,ol- Three soldiers and several horses
nrsrx killed outright. and couple Of drly-
| srs severely wounded For the purpose ct
/ .ri3stsuw the svmpathies OF the popul&ee.
tAs authorities got - moss imposing