THE BRITISH ADMIRAL AND THE CHILIANS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 235, 16 October 1891, Page 4

THE BRITISH ADMIRAL AND THE CHILIANS.

-+ — ■ A most interesting letter has recently been received m Liverpool from Captain Harlaud, lying at Valparaiso (says the " Daily News}". The letter says :— " Execu ions were taking place almost daily m the Plaza, where the rebels were shot by" the Presidential troops. No boats were allowed to be on the water after halfpast 3 o'clock m the afternoon or before 5 o'clock m the morning, otherwise the guardship would seize them and the vessel to ■which they belonged would be fined 500dol. In some cases the boats have been fired on, but the British A3miral put a stop to this, declaring that if a British subject was shot or drowned he (the Admiral) would range alongside and blow the Custom house down. On one occasion a dingy from the Warspit was on the water after 6 o'clock, and was tired at by the Chilians. Captain Calder does not say if any of the occupants were injured, but states that when the coxswain repopted the circumstance to the Admiral he maimed all his boats, raised anchor, and went close into^the town, going on shore and demanding an instant apology. A party of marines were landed and cleared the wharf. The Admiral declared that if he did not get an immediate apology he would give the English residents time to get to the northern part of the town and then bombard it. At this there was a scare amongst the Chilians, who blamed the boatman, and'-had him shot. Thia appeared, however, only to increase the Admiral's displeasure. He branded them as cowards for shooting the poor fellow for doing what was his duty according to their laws. The -" Admiral said he must have an apology from President Balmaceda himself, and as he . was at a Santiago the Admiral said he must •wire, and confirm it by letter. The officials replied that th 3 wires were cat, and they could not comunicate with the President; .but this the Admiral declared to be an excuse. At last, the authorities got a locomotive, and sent specially to the President, and the apology was received very early the following morning. The Admiral , who returned to his ship, had left an officer and a psrty of marines to receive the apology. Thus the incident eq,ded.