New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-24
CHILEAN OPINION.

The digniicd and temperate tone in which
the leading newspapers of Chill discuss the
memorandum of Mr.. lImlbut to Nicc-Admiral
Lynch and his letter 10 Perolas secretary is
altogether commeudablc when we consider the
inhamed state of public opinion which this
diplomatic incident has excited. Nevertheless,
in these organs, representing every phase Of
political thought not a word can be found TO
indicate any yielding from the firm position
taken bv Senior Balmaceda when in his note Ia
our Minister az Santiago he says: We shall
exercise in its plenitude the nalicnablc right
which fully authorizes us to take steps for the
security of our own cxistcnce-a right con-
"stantly confirmed by the practice OF European
Powers and by the United States itself III
America" This language is none too plain
for the Minister of Il sclf-rcspccting Republic
in view of Mr. Ilurlbut's criticism of what lac is
pleased TO consider Chili's possible policy.
What is most to be regretted, rs has been al-
ready pointed ont in THE TRIBUNE, Is that the
display of partisanship, not to say the attempt
at dictation. the part of our accredited repre-
scntatives will cripple the influence OF orr
Government 10y making it an object OF distrust
at n time when its good Offices would bc most
naturally sought by both bcllgcrents. In its
issue of October 10 it il well said IN III Fcrr0-
caryil that the prestige obtained by. the dip
lomatic action of the United States in these
Republic, is owing precisely to the respect aud
aperfect cordiality with which it has been con
Quoted, and the prudent reserve it has main
tanned in not interfering m the conflict Of these
countries without its friendly and pacific mcdi
alton having been solicited There is a uni
verSal admission Of the sympathy which has
ever been extended to them by our Government
and people, and the conduct of Mr.. Ilurlbut is
regretted because it violates the traditions
according 10 which the great Republic of the
North has always acted in its relations with
this part of the continent
The ChiiaR Times, however. an English paper
published at Valparaiso, flies into Mysteries
over the part of Mr.. HuIlbut's memorandum
which insinuatcs that some arbitcr is to step in
and dictate the manner in which the war in
demnity to Chilli shall be paid. The dcclara-
ton is sufficiently offensive it stands. but the
Englishman discovers in It a scheme which will
be news 70 the people of this country. To what
extent cur Government may be mixed mp in it
he docs not pretend to say, but il is q well
known fact" he asserts 4" that some kind of
promise has been made to Peru that money
will be forthcoming from the United States
" for the payment Of this indemnity" From
some further insinuations and some private adj
vices the alleged project appears to be tins
Something like an organized government in
Peru is TO convey either the fee simple of
Tarapaca and the 6 uanO islands or "A long lease
Of them for certain millions to a syndicate in
New York. Chill is to be forced 10 surrender
her cOnquests on tender Of these millions and
the syndicate is to grow r'ch on the monopoly
it acquires. OF course the powerful corporation
which owns or leases Tarapaca would soon con
troll the entire Republic of Peru, and the 20 900
Yankee labOrcrs who would be- imported would
soon make themselves masters of the situation
and rcgcncrate the chaotic politics of that iati-
tadc.
1t is safe to assure oar English friend that
the United States Government * not mixed
up" with any scheme of this character. We
may have Ministers who are good deal too
sudden for the credit of their country. but
Chill need have no fears IF any sinister designs
on the part of our Government or people. She
has conquered in this war because she had stable
government, sound credit and habits of in
dustry and honesty. 1t was superior cviliza-
ton which destroyed the fleets and armies of
her enemy. She is entitled to the Legitimate
fruits of victory in a war which was forced
upon her. and our Government has no intention
of interfering in the settlement to her HARM