STORY OF THE CHILIAN RISING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8556, 2 May 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

STORY OF THE CHILIAN RISING.

The following lettor has been received from Chili, dated Co'quimbo, January 24 ■

On the 7th the fleet declared for Congress and against the President. On the 12th, Monday morning, at fivo o'clock, everybody was awakened by heavy firing in the streets. The bullets were rattling about. The ship's men were driving the shore moil before them. It appears the Arnazona and Huasca had quietly steamed into the bay— the former first—and dropped a couple of boatloads of men, who got right on tho jetty and on to the shore before the guard noticed them. There wera about fifty of them, and they surprised our small band of soldiers, who could not have been many more. Tho fiercest fighting was at the barracks, and when that was taken tho President's party decamped, or hid as best they could. Very few people wore hurt. The killed consisted of two soldiers, one w6man, who was in her backyard, and a custom-house official, who was caught between the two parties firing. There wore some six or seven wounded.

Tho firing was over by six, and I went out to see what tho Congress party was going to do. They seized the Governor, and put another one in his place, and they sent an engine with a white flag to Serena, which town surrendered immediately. Tho Governor and all the officials who were of the President's party took horses and rode off. Since thon tho Congress party have been gradually extending themselves here, and they are trying to gain the goodwill of the people by behaving well. The town is quieter than bofore they took possession. In Valparaiso they must be having a very bad time. We don't hear anything from there, as the town is blockaded by tho fleet, and Mr. is bottled up there with the rest. The telegraph is not working, and we are without news of any kind. It is reported that a regiment is" coming north by land to attack Coquimbo, but most levelheaded people thinic tho President requires all his men to protect Santiago, Valparaiso, and the south, and that ho will very soon have to give in. As no ships can enter Valparaiso, they are all coming hero to discharge, and the bay looks brisk. The headquarters of the Congress party is to be Serena, and as many deputies as can escape from the south will como here and form a Congross. JBaltnaceda, the President, however, is said to bo ruling with a rod of iron in Santiago and Valparaiso, and putting into prison all those he can get hold of. Some have got away in various ways, by disguises, &c., and naturally report to us the worst of his doings. The north is gradually falling into the Congressional party's hands, but the soldiers so far are faithful to the President, although it is supposed, if they could get an opportunity, the most of them would change over. The effect upon business will bo bad. The price of flour has gone up from 4.50d01s to (idols per bag, and is still advancing ; and some of tho ports north will be short of supplies very soon. Iquique, for instance, has nob a blade of grass, or any way of keeping its inhabitants alive except by what is taken by water. They have no resource but to give themselves up. They have already held out for about a fortnight, and must be near the end of their provisions. ...