Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-17
SOON TO BE DECIDED
The Itata Case Before Chilean Claims
Commission.
TO DEFINE THE RIGHTS OF A NEUTRAL
Many Interesting Legal Questions
Involved.
A GEL RATED DPURSU UT

The celebrated Itata case against the
government of the United States is about
to be determined by the Chilean claims
commission. The commission has cleared
its entire docket Of cases with the excep-
ton of this one, which. by reason OF it's
Importance. was left until the last for spe-
cial consideration. An adjournment has
been taken to permit the exchange of
briefs, and the commission Will reconvene
June to consider this case the decision
of which will be rendered before the final
dissolution of the body, June II.
A Celebrated Chase.
The sailing of the steamer Itata from
California, with 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
ernment, which is held to have been the
lawful government of Chile at that time.
The 1tata proceeded to San Diego. Cal,
and soon after took on cargo consisting
of go cases OF rifles and 300 cases Of am
munition. The shipment was made at
point near the Island Of San Clement
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 set ashore by the officers of the Itata,
on the ground that he was unable to ex-
hibit any authority officer OF this
government. The Itata then took her
cargo of arms to Iquique.
After she started American ships were
sent IN chase of her, and a famous race
down the Pacific coast occurred between.
the pursued and her pursuer. At the same
time Admiral Mccain, commander r-in-chief
of the United States naval forces 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:
Surrender of the Vessel.
Upon these representations of Admiral
Mccain and because of the demand OF
the government of the United States, ac-
companied they were by the presence
Of large naval force, the Itata was sur
rendered under duress to the representa-
tives of the United States
The Itata was then brought back by the
Charleston, under command of Captain Re-
mey, and was given over to the United
States marshal at San Diego She was IL
beled as being in the possession of the con-
gressional party of Chile, then attempting
revolution against the republic, and OF
carrying arms to this rebellious faction.
The case failed, however, and the ltatP
was returned TO Chile.
The claim now put in covers the time of
the vessel, $50 900; coal. S65, 600; repairs TO
vessel, S25, 600: maritime risk $4,000; ca
Diagrams, $1,000; miscellaneous loss $780,
600. The interest since 1891 amounts TO
about $4,000 more, making the total claim
about 5000 Aside from the claim itself
the case presents many interesting legal
questions to the right of neutral gov
ernment to prevent the shipment of arms
intended for belligerents.