The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-03-15
AFFAIRS IN CHILL
President Jose Manuel Balmaceda
and His Family.
GRAVE POLITICAL COMPLICATION
Some Of the Causes That Led Up to It--Life
at Santfago-War at any Hour
Probable.

SANTIAGO DE CHILL, February Is, 1891
Especial correspondence of THE HERALD
In view Of the present serious disturb
ances, this obstreperous little republic,
which considers herself fully capable of
whipping the whole world, is neither safe
nor pleasant place for foreigners to visit
just now, but, journalistically speaking, is
q seat OF war; by no means to be ignored.
However, it makes little difference in what
part Of South america the scribe may pitch
his moving tent, for in every one OF these
miscalled repablics political troubles are
brewing always and liable at any time TO
bubble up in armed rebellion.
CHILL HAS GoAsTED MUCH
Of being the most peaceable Of them all, as
well as the most prosperous and law abid-
ing.
We made hasty trip down here from
Peru during last July tine midwinter sea
son on this side of the equator) n the midst
of the excitement, then at fever heat, which
was really the beginning OF present compli-
catioEs-on purpose TO study both sides Of
the questions at issue. 1t is impossible to
arrive at a fair understanding OF them at q
distance, because South American newspa-
pers, mostly printed in the Spanish lam
guags, are few, inefficient and universally
bought up by one faction or the other Z;
while the telegraph wires, when not seized
or torn down by Insurgents, are owned and
controlled by the government Indeed, it
is easier for you at the distant north to re-
ceive reliable, though tardy information
concerning events occurring on the south
ern continent-though private messages
sent by foreigners engaged in business
here to their houses in London, France or
New York, via Buenos Ayres-than for
people living in different divisions of the
same country, who must depend entirely
upon local facilities.
OK THAT FIRST VISIT To CHILL,
we came. over TO the capital on purpose to
have an Interview with the president,
which was easily accomplished, and to at
tend some Of the exciting sessions Of Con-
gress; and it CHANGED, by rare good fortune,
that we left VALPARAISO the very day before
that dreadful 2lst of July, when for some
hours the old sea port was in the hands of a
bowling mob and its streets were bathed in
blood. Even then prominent Chilians as
surec me that the trouble was only a tenn
pOrary strike, which might occur anywhere,
and that there was not the remotest danger
Of e revolution, because the people were al
together too patriotic to bring dIscredlt on
their beloved country.
1t seems to be the fashion. especially
aDrOad--among those whose knowledge of
Chili's affairs must be, to say the least.
somewhat superhcial-to attribute all the
blame Of the muddle TO President Balma-
Ccda, and to characterize him as tyrant
and woUld-be dictator. The truth is that if
the executive had not been too plant and
anxious to please In the first place, he would
have crushed the rebellion in it's infancy,
before its ugly hydra-h heads had grown toe
strong for him. The fault is principally
with a
DETERMINED AND INSCRIPTIONS
political faction which unfortunately hap
pens to have d majority in the legislative
chamber and whose primary object is to
control the approaching presidential cleo
ton. which can only be done by breaking
the power Of the present incumbent
The trouble began this way: Ever since
Chill has claimed TO be q republic her con-
stltuGon has permitted every president tc
nominate his own successor and TO practi-
cally elect him, with the cooperation of his
ministers; an unwise and foolish custom
we Of the north may think, but having been
firmly established by law and precedent
there IS no reason why Don Balmaceda
should not exercise his constitutional pre-
negative in the matter. the same as his pre-
uecessors have done. Ii the system is now
at variance with popular feeling, peace
able change might have been effected in the
constitution without all this loss of life ant
property. The disaffected Congressman
having cause TO fear that the president
=. to,r ooh
officer who Is obnoxious to them, deliber.
ately instigated revolts by obstinately re
1uslng to pass any presppuestas. as the ap
preparations are called, until Balmaced;
should como to theic terms;
TIE FIRST DEMAND
being that be dismiss his ministers. one ant
all, in order TO get rid of the obnoxious one
and then appoint others more TO their Iik
ing. This the president declined to do OF
the ground that the Gillian government. liz.
that Of every other rapn5lic, gives the ex
ecutive the right TO select his own immedi
ate officers and to retain them unless the,
become guilty Of grave offense; that he hat
already changed his cabinet twice within
little more than two years IN the vain effor
TO satisfy them and to do so a third time
for no fault OF the ministers, would no
only be extremely unjust TO those gentle
men and render himself ridiculous in tn
eyes Of the world as party puppet with n
''Dack bone, - but would establish danger
Gus precedent for his successors in all tim
to come.
The rcvoits Of seven months ago were tn
direct result of this refusal. or rather of tn
means employed by Congress to make IN
president change his mind. Even then "a
nc adhered to his first decision. or bette
still, had hc made and ahided by il when III
first change of officers was demanded. al
might now be wen with the country: and
miller means for enforcing his rightfu
authority mad not ayailed,
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR BETTER
for the country had he caused the arrest an
detention Of the agitators as 50 many trait
or5 TO the government. All the world sc
,nires a brave men, and prompt, decide
measures of that sort would have wen NOR
respect for Senior Bainaceda than he ca
now hone to enjoy. &c ne sure such ex
IRENE measures are contrary to the spir
OF RepubEcanism but so IS armed rebel
lion, the bombacdment of unoffending cite
and the murder OF hundreds of helples
women and children, huddled together fo
safety, as lately took place at Iquiqui by
posse of irresponsible cut threats who's
crimes were The result of the rebeliious a
titude assumed by the legislators Q
course it is but just to add that at first Cor
gress probably had no idea that the danger
Gus ball ii set rolling would gather sue
deadly proportions--and so might one argu
in favor Of the incendiary who deliberatel
fires q powder magazine without conside
ing what lives and property he may de
stroy. They refused to pass the presupue