The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-11-26
QUEER DIPLOMATIC MUDDLE

Those two eminent American diplomatic
genluses, the Hon. Stephen A. Hurbut, of
Boone county, Illinois, and the redoubtable
General Fitzpatrick, of New Jersey-the form.
or accredited as L. S. Minister to the Soath
American republic of Peru and the other to
Chill, have succeeded IN getting the state de-
partment at Washington into one Of the queer,
est diplomatic muddles recorded in any histo,
ry During the past two years, as every news
paper reader knows, there was fierce war be-
tween Chill and Peru, in the course of which
Peru was completely wo-sted and lay, and
still lies, helpless at the feet of its CHILEAN con-
querors. Every vestige OF political authority
capable Of making itself respected has disap
peared from Peru and there is absolutely no
thing in existence entitled to the name of
Peruvian government
In exactly this condition Of affairs Mr.
Hurlbut arrived in the country with his Gre
dentials sa minister plenlpotentary, &C., in
his pocket. OF course unless he could find
some government to report to his occupation
as minister, together with the comfortable
salary thereunto appertalning, was gone. In
looking around he discovered, away up in the
mountain Businesses somewhere, a greaser of
the name of Calderon who had set himself up
as chief of the dlsorganized republic, and to
him he reported. The CHILEAN commander
advised him that Senior Ualderon was fraud
and would not be recognized by the conquer
NJ Ia
him long lecture, reproving his government
of great harshness In dealing with Peru, and
intimating that he Is authorized by his 60
vernment not only to recognize the govern.
ment of Caderon, but to say further, that the
government that he (Mr. H. represents will
not allow Chilli to extend her sovereignty
over any portion of the territory Of her con-
quered neighbor by force, or words to that
effect
Now about the same time that other emf.
nent American diplomat General Fitzpatrick,
had arrived at the capital of Chill and present
ed his credentials, and the Chilisn govern
mens, greatly astonished at the manifesto OF
Mr.. Hurlbut applies to the chevelier Kilpat.
rick to know what 1t means. The latter con-
scious that unless he can explain away the
Hurlbut manifesto, his occupation is gone,
replies assuring the Gillian government "in
the most emphatic manner, that Chill has
nothing to tear from either the intentions or
the attitude the United States will assume
in reference to thewar on the Pacifc;' and in
proof he quotes from Secretary Blalne's
telling him that the war having
terminated with the complete success Of Chill,
and what may be regarded as little less than
the conquest of Peru consequently, "this 60
cannot persuade itself to believe
that the offer of friendly Intervention IN the
question now pendlng'-the question Of eX.
tending the sovereignty of Chill upon Peruvi-
an territory-"would be agreeable to the
Chiian government"
Now as both these ministers left Washing
ton about the same time, carrying exactly the
same instructions in their pockets respective
", the great couundrum Is, which one has lied
about his instructions, and what will Secreta-
~ Blaine do about it, and how will he get out
of the UNDERSTANDABLE in which 1t has placed
him and his government.