Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-10-01

country or not native to realize the
intensity OF the hatred that was enter
tertained toward the ex-President The
national holidays were prolonged by the
news OF the suicide. The feasts, illumin-
ations, and other celebrations in honor
Of the success of the Congressional
party were followed by the marching Of
frenzied crowds through all the streets
shouting songs of triumph over the
death of their former ruler.
The Valparaiso papers came out with
extras from Santiago about the suicide.
The Argentine Minister at Santiago, in
whose house Balmaceda killed himself,
resolutely refused to furnish any of the
local papers with copy OF the pathetic
letter written by Balmaceda a short
time previous to his shooting himself, in
which he defends his course as Presi-
dent II is the general belief that Bal
maceda's death will hasten in great
degree the restoration of peace through
out Chilli Now that the chief enemy of
the Junta is no more it is likely that his
followers will be shown mercy, since
without Balmaceda to direct them they
are little to be feared. Italy, France,
Sweden, Spain, and Norway have fol-
lowed the lead of the United States In
official recognition of the Junta. Ger
many, 1t will be remembered, was the
second nation to do so. No official rec
Ognition has yet come from England.
This creates considerable comment
In London the news of Balmaceda's
death made a marked impression. The
general feeling in English commercial
circles is one OF relief and JOY. While
Balmaceda lived there ever could be no
assurance that he might not stir up an
other revolution to the great detriment
of the English interests in control of the
nitrate traffic.
The matter was the news sensation in
Washington. 1t was as startling as 1t
was unexpected.
$50 ~Raimaeada- has blown his brains
out, said Mr. Foster, tire CnUran c0n-
fidential agent. IL am sorry to hear OF
his going off in that way, butit was prob
ably the best thing he could do. He
found all manner of escape cut of. He
had failed in an attempt to cross the
Andes. He had not the physical strength
to endure the hardships of a journey
through the mountain passes In mid
winter. He was cut off from his
vessels and found it impossible to
get out of Santiago without de-
lection. These facts undoubted-
ly preyed upon his mind and all
hope left him. In his extremity
he resorted to the pistol. Self-murder
did not have as much terror for him as
it would have for others who believe In
a future state. While Balmaceda studied
for the priesthood he gave up the teach
ings and traditions eff nis fathers and
became almost an atheist. To those who
knew the feeling aroused by Balmaceda's
acts OF tyranny there is no surprise at
all that the masses Should rejoice at his
death He vas e. bad d5 man a spd Sbli Is
Everything, however, will soon quiet
down, and with Balmaceda out of the
way peace is assured"
Balmaceda left a statement to the
press of the United States. AS almost
the last declarations OF dying man
they are OF especial Importance. He
says:
II acted during the past eight months
with the firm conviction that / was right.
/ had no one in the army on whom
could place my trust. My generals were
false TO me. They lied ali through the
war. Had my orders been obeyed be.
lieye that the battle of Concon would
have resulted in a decisive victory
against the enemy. My heart all through
this trouble has been with Chill. 1
sought to rescue my country from for
eign domination. l strove to make her
the first republic In America. My enc
mics say that / was cruel. Circum
stances compelled me to sanction Ger.
tain acts, but many bad deeds that have
been attributed to my orders were never
known by me until they had been COM
mitted.
~Until the final battle at Placilla
had strong hopes of triumphing over my
foes. Victory was assured by my gen
erals, Alcerecca, Barbosa and Viel
They all lied. l now know those who
pretended friendship for me only be-
cause Of the money that was to be got
ten out of me. All the money that
have in my possession is $500. NY
wife gave it TO me on the night Of
Aug. %.
~Your minister, Patrick Egan, many
times offered me good advice. He urged
me to make peace with those opposed to
me and to retire from Chill. / did not
heed his wise advice for thought he
was under the influence of the junta's
orders, who we're then refugees in the
American legation All through the
trouble my closest advisers were always
opposed TO any overtures for peace"