Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1891 — SUICIDE OF BALMACEDA. [ARTICLE]

SUICIDE OF BALMACEDA.

Killed Himself in the Argentine Legatiop. at Santiago Minister Egaii Gave Him Good Advice V.'hieh He Did Not Heed—Once Beloved •- by All. but Later the Most Hated .Man In Chili. > The New York Herald's correspondent sends the following dispatch from Valparaiso, Chili, dated Sept. 19: Ex-President Balmaceda, of Chili, shot himself through the temple in his room at the Argentine Legation in Santiago, at 8:39 o’clock a. m., to-dky. The story became known here this afternoon, and created the greatest excitement. Every part of the city is brilliantly illuminated, and on every hand are heard the sounds of rejoicing. Later accounts from the capital confirm the sensational news, and give the details ol the suicide. Balmaceda left Santiago, Aug. 29, lasL in the hope of making his escape from Chili, but seeing that every avenue of retreat was cut off he returned there Sept 2, and went direct to the Argentine Legatlon. llis Intention hqd bccn to go on board the vessel Condell,which lie expget. ed to find lying in San Antonio bay. Upon arriving there, however, he discovered to his chagrin that the ship had sailed. Since his return to the Argentine legation in Santiago, Balmaceda had been in an extremely nervous condition. No one. with the exception of the minister of the Argentine Republic and one other man who was devoted to the unfortunate exPresident's cause, was permitted to talk to or even see him. All the different schemes of flight were considered by_the hunted ex-President. Senator Urriburia went to the theater last night, and when he returned to the legation he had a long and earnest talk with Balmaceda relath e to tho latter’s ideas, previously broachec’ about the advisability of giving himself up to the junta. Balmaceda and Senor Urriburia went to bed at midnight.

©APING WOUND IN THE TEMPLE. Senora Urriburia about 8 o'clock a. in. heard a pistol-shot in the bedroom that had been assigned to Balmaceda. She notified her husband. Before he, went to Balmaceda’s room he ran around to the house of Carlos Walker Martinez and brought that gentleman back to the legation. Upon breaking in the door of Balmaceda’s room it was found that he had shot himself. The body was still warm. There was a gaping wound in the temple, The body was undressed and lay on the bed. The revolver was still held in his right hand. Domingo Torro. Balmaceda’s brother-in-law, and the minister to Chili from Uraguay, Arrieta Malchor Corletta’ soon arrived at the legation. Senor Concho ran to Moneda and informed the junta of what had happened. A commission was promptly issued, It comprised Carlos Walker Martinez, Senor Melchor, Senor Concho, and Judge Agirerra, of the Supreme Court. They went direct to the legation from the office of the junta’s reprasentatives and viewed the body. They then drew up a proces verba certifying to the fact already stated. The German minister, Gutsehmidt, accompanied the commission to the legation as an old friend of Balmaceda. Gradually the news spread all over Santiago. The excitement It created is indescribable. Great crowds of terriably excited people gathered all around the Argentine legation. They cheered, and they hooted, and went into a frenzy over the death of their chief enemy. Above all the discordant shouts were heard cries congratulating the unfortunate Balmaceda. that in taking his own life he had escaped a Worse fate.

LETTERS LEFT BY THE SUICIDE. Balmaceda left a letter to his mother. Also a statement to the Herald. As al' most the last declaration of a dying man they are of special importance. He says; I acted all during the last eight months with the firm conviction that I was right. I had no one in the army in whom I could place my trust. Aly generals were false to me. They lied all through the war. Had my orders been obeyed I believe that the battle of Concon would have resulted in a decisive victory against tire eneny. My heart all through this trouble has been with Chili. I sought to rescue my country from foreign domination. I strove to make her the first republic of America. My enemies say that I was cruel. Circumstances compelled me to sanction certain acts, but many deeds that have been attributed to my orders were never known to me until they had been committed. Until the final battle at Placilla. I ha i strong hopes of triumphing over my foes. Victory was assured by my generals. Alcerecca, and Barbosa, and Viel. They all lied. 1 know now those who only pretended friendship for me because of the money that was to be gotten out of me. All the money that I have in my possession is 12,500. My wife gave it to me on the night of Aug. 28. Your minister, Patrick Egan, many times offered me good advice. He urged me to makepeace with those opposed to me and retire from Chili. I did not heed his wise advice, for I thought that he was under the influence of the junta’s orders, who were then refugees in the American legation. All through the trouble _mv -closest advisers were always opposed to any overtures of peace. Another letter was found addressed to Senor Urrlburla. In it Balmaceda says: When I saw the persecution directed against me by persons who had supported my administration I came to the conclusion that the only way to put an end to this persecution was to take my life, as I was the responsible one. Adios, my good friend. Give my farewell to my wife and children. >. Thfrsjuntfrihas the Argentine legation guardedYw troops to prevent an attack on the part ofyhe populace, but everything is quiet at Santiago. Balmaceda’s body has been removed 15 the general ceknetery. It was accompa nied by membe'sof the family and friends. The widow of the dead ex-President was informed of his tragic ending by her broth- ! er, Domingo Torro. There is a guard stationed at the cemetery, An intendente is keeping order. f