The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-30 00:00:00

PRICE.... 4d.
STAMPED sd.

continually to suffer insults upon the part of an
enemy who systematically refuse to fight.
" But at this extremity, before directing our guns
upon Valparaiso, the commandant of the squadron,
interpreting and carrying out to their extremest
limits the conciliatory desires of the Spanish Go-
vernment, offered to Chili, not once but twice, an
honourable mode of avoiding the attack, by accept-
ing the propositions which had been made by Eng-
land and France under altogether different and less
serious circumstances.
" The definitive reply of Chili to this chi e•alrous
offer was the despatch of a disgraceful challenge,
equivalent to a fresh insult, at the very moment
when the blow threatened most closely. Conse-
quently there no longer existed a single admissible
pretext for suspending the bombardment, and in the
forced alternative of choosing between ignominious
tolerance or a perfectly justified act of aggression,
the commandant of the squadron could not hesitate
an instant. Ile ordered fire,' but not without
having previously adopted precautions requisite in
favour of humanity and of neutral interests.
"The Chili= Government had undoubtedly
supposed that by disarming the towns upon the
seaboard, and by avoidinatenscotounttehres
teeasltc,ulnaottehdintgo
put the strength of its arm
would prevent it from insulting and attacking us
with impunity under the protection of its own weak-
ness. It is easy to understand that if the principle
of declaring disarmed places inviolable .were to be
admitted, weak and defenceless nativs might, with-
-othexs, and be exempt
the
oruotanyinost
" In whatever sacredresponsibility,
i g dutiesht t h
e question justiceimposes.
i s viewed, it is
certain that Spain, in adopting the determination to
bombard Valparaiso, had proceeded todmoe time, in
sot under
the obligation of necessity, and, at the same

reliance upon a right no one will assuredly dlydispute
I
" Touching the consequences of th
bombard-
ment, Spain is the first to deplore the injury caused to
the subjects of friendly nations, bnt she recognises
that this is an evil inherent to war to which strangers
settled in belligerent countries are inevitably ex-
posed. The futile efforts she has made to avert
these losses are notorious; and, upon the other hand,
none have suffered more, nor do suffer more directly
than Spanish subjects domiciled in Peru. I consider
it useless, after having cited the above facts, to per-
sist in pointing out upon which side are right, rea-
son, generosity, and the greatest self-denial, and
which side also has been guilty of obstinacy, ani-
mosity, and bad faith ; but I will not conclude
without repeating a solemn protest that, under pre-
sent circumstances, it will serve to confirm the
loyalty of our views.

" Spain sincerely deplores the necessity in which
she has been placed of proceeding with much rigour
against the Chilian Government. She persists in
her declaration that neither vengeance nor hatred
have inspired her with any animosity towards the
Republic to which she is now opposed, and that she
has always been ready to conclude an honourable
peace ; but at the same time she fulfils her duty by
showing that the blind conduct of Chili and her
allies has prevented peace and provoked inevitable
acts of violence. Their pride and their as
well as the slight consideration in which they are
held by friends and enemies, are the true causes of
the destruction that has taken place, and has made
the war disastrous for all. It is therefore upon
Chili and her allies exclusively that must weigh both I

the fault and the responsibility for all theseeconse•

quences

" God preserve your Excellency many years.
(Signed) " M. BERMUDEZ DE CASTRO."