The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-12-16

among other things that inasmuch as the Con
gresslonai party had not been recognized as a
belligerant, the acts done In it's interest could
not be u violation of our neutrality laws From
this judgment the United States has appealed,
not that the condemnation of the vessel is a
matLer OF importance, but that we may know
what the present state of our law is; for if this
Of the statute is correct there is
OBVIOUS necessity for revision and amendment.
During the progress of the in Chile this
government rendered it's good Offices to bring
about peaceful adjustment, and it was at one
time hoped that good result might be
reached, but in this we were disappointed.
The instructions to our naval officers and to
last of this struggle, enjoined upon them the
most impartial treatment and absolute nom
interference. am satisfied that these instruc-
tions were observed, that our representatives
were always watchful to use their influence
impartially in the interest of humanity and, on
more than one occasion, did so effectively. We
could not forget, however, that this govern
ment was in diplomatic relations with the
then established government of Chile as it is
now in such relations with the successor of
that government am quite sure that Presi-
dent Montt, who has, under circumstances of
promise for the peace of Chile been installed as
president of that republic will not desire that
in the unfortunate event of any revolt against
his authority the policy of this government
should be other than that which we have re-
Gently observed. No official complaint of the
conduct OF our minister or OF our naval officers
during the struggle has been presented to this
government, and it is matter of regret that
so many of our own people should have given
ear to unoficial charges and complaints that
and in wish to peryert the relations
of the United States with Chile
THE COLLAPSE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BAL
MACEDA
brought about a condition which is unfortunate
ly too familiar in the history of the
Central and South American states. With the
overthrow of the Balmaceda government he
and many OF his councillors and officers became
at once fugitives for their lives and appealed to
the commanding officers OF the foreign naval
vessels in the harbor of Valparaiso and to the
mi CT of Gov fNr,
asylum This asylum was freely given, accord
ing to my information by the naval vessels of
legations at Santiago. The American minister
as well as his colleagues, acting upon the
impulses of humanity, extended asylum to
political refugees whose lives were in peril I
have not been willing to direct the surrender of
such OF these prisoners as are still in the Amer
can legation without suitable conditions It
is believed that the government of Chile is not
in position, in view of the precedents with
which it has been connected, to broadly deny
has not thus far presented any such denial.
The treatment OF our minister for time was
such as to call for decided protest, and it was
very gratifying to observe that unfriendly
measures, which were undoubtedly the result
of the prevailing excitement, were at once re-
scinded or suitably relaxed.
THE ASSAULT ON AMERICAN SAILORS AT VAL
PARAISO.
On the 10Th Of October an event occurred in
Valparaiso so serious and tragic in its circum-
stances and results as to very justly excite the
and decided action on the part of this govern
ment. A considerable number of the sailors of
In the harbor of Valparaiso, being upon shore
leave and unarmed, were assaulted by armed
men nearly simultaneously in different locali-
ties in the city. One petty officer was
killed outright and seven or eight sea-
men were seriously wounded, one of
whom has since died. So savage and brutal
received more than two, and one many as
eighteen stab wounds. An investigation of the
a a. hT1
Of the Baltimore, and their report shows that
these assaults were unprovoked that our men
were conducting themselves in peaceable and
orderly manner, and that some of the police of
the city took part in the assault and used their
weapons with fatal effect while q few others
endeavored to protect our men Thirty six of
our sailors were arrested, and some of them
while being taken to prison, were cruelty
beaten and maltreated. The fact that they
lodged against any one of them shows very
clearly that they were innocent of any breach
OF the peace. So far as I have been
able to learn no other explanation of this
bloody work has been suggested than that it had
its origin in hostility to these as sailors of
the United States wearing the uniform of their
government, and not in any individual act or
personal animoSity. The attention of the
Chilean government was at once called to this
AFFAIR, and statement Of the facts obtained by
the investigation we had conducted was sub
mitted, accompanied by request to be advised
sion of the Chilean government that might tend
to relieve this affair OF the appearance of an in
ment was also advised that if such qualify
ing facts did not exist this government
would confidently expect full and prompt
reparation. It is to be regretted that
the reply of the secretary for foreign affairs
of the provisional government was couched in
an offensive tone. To this no response has been
made. This government is now awaiting the
result of an Investigation which has been con-
Quoted by the criminal court at Valparaiso It
about completed. and it is expected that the
result Will soon be communicated to this gov
ernment, together with some adequate satisfac-
tory response to the note by which the atten-
tion of Chile was called to this incident If
these Just expectations should be disappointed
or further needless delay intervene, will, by a
special message, bring this matter again to the
attention of congress for such action as may be
necessary. The entire correspondence with the
government of Chile will at early date be
submitted to congress-
THE SPANISH EXPOSITION.
The government and people of Spain propose
to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary OF
the discovery of America by holding the exposi
tion at Madrid, which will open on the 18th OF
September and continue until the 31st of De
cember, 1899. "A cordial invitation has been eX
tended to the United States to tSke part in this
commemoration, and, Spain was one of the
first nations to express the intention to par
ticipate in the world fair at Chicago, it would
be very appropriate for this government to give
this invitation it's friendly promotion.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA
The late outbreak against foreigners in va
rious parts OF the Chinese empire has been q
cause of deep concern in view of the numerous
establishments of our citizens in the interior OF
that country. This government can do no less
and punitary measures which the Chinese gov
ernment has heretofore applied No effort
will be omitted to protect our citizens peace
ably soiourning in China but recent upof1cial
Information indicates that what was at first re
garded as an outbreak Of mob violence against
foreigners has assumed the larger form OF ar
tnSurrectfon against pnb1tc order.
The Chinese government has declined to re
ceive Mr.. Blair as the minister of the United
H. ND hot Tfi i0IT no n
while a senator, in the enactment Of the exist
ing legislation against the Introduction of Chi
nese laborers he has become unfrlendly ant
Objectionable to China have felt constrained
to point out to the Chinese government the un
tenableness of this position which seems tG
rest as much on the unacceptab1l1ty OF our leg
islation as on that of the person chosen
ARBITRATION.
The arbitration treaty formulated by the in
ternRtional American conference lapsed by
reason of the failure to exchange ratification
fully within the limit of time provided, but sew
eral of the governments concerned have ex
pressed desire to save this important resul
It is in my Judgment incumbent upon the
United States to conserve the initiative 1t ha
ment and by advocating the proposed exten
| tton of the time for exchange: These view
| have been made known to the other slgnatorles
REGARDING JEWISH PERSECUTION IN RUSSIA
This government has found occasion to ez
press, in friendly spirit, but with much earn
| estness, to the government OF the car, IL
|
| now being enforced against the Hebrews L
| Russia. BY the revival Of ant1-Sem1t1c laws
| long in allegiance, great numbers of those unfol
| tunate people have been constrained to aban
don their homes and leave the empire by reaso
/ of the irnpossibility of finding subsistence
within the pale to which it is sought to comm
them. The immigration of these people to tn
| United StateS-many other countries De1n
| closed to them-is largely increasing an
likely to assume proportions which may max
| it difficult to find home and employ
| ment for them here and to seriously anecL In
| labor market. 1t is estimated that over on
million will be forced from Russia within Ie'
years. The Hebrew is never beggar; he ma
! ALWAYS kept the law-often under severe an
oppressive civil restrictions 1t is also tru
| that no race, scot class has more fully care
| for it's own than the Hebrew race But th
sudden transfer of such o multitude, under col
ditions that tend to strip them of their sma
! accumulations and to de1ress their energ1e
and courage, is neither good for them nor for u
The Punishment, whether by direct decree {
| by not less certa n indirect methods OF so lare
| a number of men and women. is not loci
question. A decree to leave one country is, ]
| the nature of things, an order to enter apofhe
This consideration, well as the suggestion
of humanity, furnishes ample ground for the r
monstrances which we have presented to Ru
sia, while our historic friendship for that go
ernment can not fail to give the assurance
that our representations are those of a sincel
we'll wiSher.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
The annual report of the Maratime Can
Company of Nicaragua, shows that much cos
ly and necessary preparatory work has bee
AO,aa 11,rfT tIn p n