Mr. Wilson to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Santiago, June 26,
1899.
No. 105.]Sir. I have the honor to confirm my telegram of
June 12, 1899, as follows:
Newark driven by terrific gales into Port
Low, Guaytecas Island, latitude 42° 45ʹ. Coal supply exhausted,
but is believed both vessel and crew perfectly safe and no
damage done. Chilean Government has just dispatched relief ships
with coal and supplies. No telegraphic communications with the
island.
Learning from the press reports that the Government was possibly
concerned about the fate of the Newark, I took
steps to obtain information as to the whereabouts of the cruiser, and
upon the date of my telegram I received the first information, through
unofficial sources. I immediately communicated to you by telegraph such
information as I was able to obtain. As reported in my telegram, the
Government of Chile promptly and cheerfully accorded the Newark every facility for the continuation of her
voyage. I received no official communication from the Chilean Government
relative to the action which it had taken until this date, when I
received a note from the minister of marine, Señor Don Carlos Concha
(copy and translation of which I inclose). Although somewhat in
violation of precedent, I have thought it best to reply directly to the
note of the minister, expressing my appreciation, as representative of
the Government of the United States, of the services rendered. I inclose
herewith a copy of the note referred to. I am just informed that the Newark has arrived in Valparaiso Harbor and is
apparently in condition to proceed upon her voyage.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Mr. Concha to
Mr. Wilson.
Ministry of Marine,
Santiago, June 24,
1899.
Distinguished Sir: The last telegrams
received at this ministry announce that the American cruiser Newark anchored in the harbor of Ancud, on
the 22d of the present month, and that it would sail in the
direction of Valparaiso after taking on the necessary coal supplies.
I have extreme pleasure in announcing the arrival of the ship to
which
[Page 126]
I refer, after the
difficulties which it has experienced during a voyage, the issue of
which has given great concern to the American Government.
I am very happy also to indicate to you that the naval authorities of
Chile have extended to the American cruiser every necessary aid, and
have given the facilities required for the continuation of the
voyage with the full approbation of the Government.
Saluting you attentively,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Wilson to
Mr. Concha.
Legation of the United States,
Santiago, June 24, 1899.
Mr. Minister: I beg to acknowledge the
receipt of your esteemed note of this date, informing me of the
arrival of the American cruiser Newark in the
harbor of Ancud, and that the Government of Chile, through your
department, has cheerfully and promptly accorded to her all the
facilities necessary for the continuation of the voyage, which she
is making under orders from the Navy Department of the United
States. From unofficial sources I learned some time ago of the
misadventure which this cruiser had met with, and also of the prompt
and generous action taken by your department. By telegram I at once
communicated the news of the safety of the ship and the service
rendered by your department to the Government of the United States.
I have not yet received an official reply to my telegram, but
understand that the news communicated not only relieved the great
anxiety prevalent in official circles of the Navy Department, but
that the action of your Government in affording relief was received
with warm appreciation and gratitude. In due season I shall have the
pleasure of communicating the official thanks of the Government of
the United States to the Government of Chile. In the meantime, Mr.
Minister, I beg that you will receive for your department my sincere
thanks as the representative of the Government of the United States
in Chile, with which I have, etc.,
