The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-18
ITATA CASE RECALLED
CLAIM OF 100000 AGAINST THE
NITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
sensational Chase by Warships After
a Steamer Loaded with Arms and
Ammunition for Chile.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE celebrated
Itata case, involving a claim of $4,000
against the government of the United
States. is about to be determined by the
Chilean Claims Commission. The COM
mission has cleared its entire docket of
cases with the exception of this one. which.
by reason of it's Importance, was left until
the last for special consideration. An adj
journment has been taken to permit the
exchange of briefs, and the commission
will reconvene on June s to consider this
case, the decision of which will be rendered
before the final dissolution of the body on
June IA.
The sailing of the steamer Itata from
California, with a cargo of arms and am
munition for Chile, and her subsequent
surrender to the United States cruiser
Charleston, constituted one of the most
stirring events of the Chilean trouble of
1891. AS set forth in the official papers
submitted to the commission, the Itata
was chartered by the provisional govern
ment of Chile to transport small arms for
the land forces under that provisional gov
eminent, which is held to have been the
lawful government of Chile at that time.
The Itata proceeded to San Diego, Cal,
anu oOOn dlNtA lOOA On al tdI 81 COliSlSl-
ing OF $50 cases of rifles and 200 cases of
ammunition. The shipment was made at a
poinl near the island of San Clemente. on
May s, 1891. Just before this the steamer
was boarded by one Spaulding, said TO be
an officer of the United States, who had
come to take possession of the vessel. He
was Sc. ashore by the officers Of the Itata,
on the ground that he was unable to eX-
hibit any authority as an officer of this
government.
The Ifafa then took her carOn of arms RI
IquiQue. After she started American ships
were sent IN chase OF her, and a famous
race down through the Pacific occurred
between the pursued and her pursuers.
AT the same time Admiral Mccain, COM
mander-in-cnief of the naval force in Chile,
notified the Chilean government that the
ltata, in procuring her cargo of arms with
in the waters of the United States, was
guilty of a violation of our neutrality laws.
The document adds: Upon these repre-
sensations of Admiral Mccain. and be-
cause of the demand of the government
of the United States, accompanied, as they
were. by the presence of a large naval
force, the Itata was surrendered under
duress to the representative of the United
States"
The Itata was then brought back by the
Charleston, under command of Captain
Remey, and was given over to the United
States marshal at San Diego. She was
libeled as being in the possession of the
congressional party of Chile, then attempt
ing a revolution against the Republic, and
of carrying arms 10 this iebellious faction.
The case failed, however, and the Itata re-
turned to Chile.
The claim now put in covers the time of
the vessel, $50, O00; coal, $4,000; repairs TO
vessel, $4,000; maritime risk. $1,000; cable
grams, etc, $1,000; miscellaneous loss, $50,-
90. The interest since 1891 amounts to
about $4,000 more. making the total claim
about $4,000. Aside from the claim itself,
the case presents many Interesting legal
questions as TO the right of a neutral gov
eminent to prevent the shipment of arms
intended for belligerents.