The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-02-03
Blaine and the State Department.

Washington dispatches say that the publica-
ton of the correspondence between Secretary
Blaine and the diplomatic representatives Of
the United States to Chill and Peru has pro-
duced u profound sensation at the national
capitol, and may be expected to excite an
equal degree OF interest In other parts OF
lne world. In this publication IL made known
for the first time the policy or the state
Department in reference to the South Amer
lean repubhcs-a policy which has been
completely reversed since the retirement OF
Secretary Blaine amt the appointment OF Score
tary FTeiinghuyscu. Within the space OF ono
month tnis important change has oc-
CURED, and the measures which Blaine orig
mated and set Oh foot, presumably with the
full assent and support CT the President, give
place to entirely different measures and
plans, which have in their turn received the
sanction of the President 1t is claimed
on one side that this change OF attitude has
averted war with Chill, which President Ar
thur believed TO be inevitable unless the Unit
ed States abandoned the role of medi-
stor and protector in the affairs of the
South American republics and on the
other eide, the friends and supporters OF the
vigorous measures inaugurated by Secretary
Blaine see IN this sensational reversal of the
policy of pluck and energy square backdown
winch will rebound neither to the credit nor
advantage of the United States as nation in
the eyes OF the world.
Mr.. Blaine, having been interviewed in Wash
ington. has given his version Of certain matters
connected with tho reigning diplomatic sonsa-
ton He prouounces az false and without
foundation in truth the assertion that his in
slructons to Prescott were drafted and for
warded without the knowledge OF the Presi-
dent, and states that not only were the in
structions fully discussed between the Presi-
dent and himself, but after being written
Aksnxs fVrfg
mitted 10 h m for criticism and change,
and be has in his possession the original draft
bearing marks OF the notifications desired by
the President. Mr.. Blaine recalls the fact that
the President, in bis inaugural message, speci-
hc liz referred to Trescotts mission and IN
structious. He promptly acknowledges tho
right OF the President to change his mind and
reverse any policy previously agreed upon, but
tor himself says he can no reason to
take "A different view OF tho wisdom
OF the prior course marked out. He
foars that one result OF the change will
DO the utter destruction Of the commercial
interests of the United States on tue South
Pacific coast In the concluding portion OF
the interview. Mr.. Blaine declares that tho
spoilation Of Peru demanded by Chill IL equiv
aent to the secession OF the eleven States in
rebellion IN the years following 1861, and the
loss to the Union of the PdcIhc States beside
"It amounts" says MIR. Blaine, "to the whole
sale destruction OF q friendly repubEc--a do
struction as complete and as cruel ss tho par
tition Of Poland "
PRESIDENT ARrHURs VERSION.
A statement is made, on authority traceable
directly 10 the Executive Mansion, which con-
tradicts the assertions Of Mr.. Blaine in essen
tial particulars. II is stated that the President
did not examine or approve the particular
draft of instructions sent by Blaine TO Tres
cott and on the subsequent examination Of
the correspondence was astonished and alarmed
to find that the important notifications or
dered by him had not been made, and that
the text Of the instructions was such as
to Immediately invite, il not to provoke,
declaration of war by Chill. Upon the
discovery OF the precise character OF Blaines
communication TO Trescott the President
directed the telegraphing Of counter-in-
stiuctions to ward OF the impending mischief,
and with the same object in view Secretary
Frelnghuysen sought an interview with IT,
CHILEAN Minister and gave personal assurances
that the offensive language employed In Tres
colts instructions did not correctly represent
the sentiments Of the President regarding the
affair with Chilli
The Presidents desire in the whole matter
was to protect the dignity of the United States
without inviting the host lily Of Chill aud with
ont endeavoring to act as an aggressive inter
meddler in the affairs of other countries. The
spirit aud letter OF Mr. Blaine, IL they accom-
plished tho one purpose, could not have
done so without inviting tho hostility or Chill,
IL not open war with that country. This In
substance il the statement of those we'll in
formed as 10 the views Of the administration,
and il will DO seen that this explanation eaves
sill very sharp and well-deined issue with
Mr.. Blaine.