Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-11-05
ChiIian Hatred.

Situation Is Very Serious.
ChiIian Hatred.
Further persistent inquiry OF the
officers OF the government in regard to
the Valparaiso incident shows conclu-
sively that the administration does not
regard 1t as a simple street row for
which the Chilian government can not
be held accountable, but as an insult TO
the honor and flag of the United States,
calling for the most vigorous diplomatic
treatment
The official report of the occurrence,
made by Capt Schley, OF the Baltimore,
after careful investigation OF all the
surrounding circumstances, shows clear
ly not only that the assault upon the
American sailors was cowardly and un-
provoked, but that it was inspired pure
ly by hatred for the uniform they wore
and the country 1t represented; or, in
other words, that 1t was not an attack
on them as individuals, but as repre-
sentativeS of the United States.
The report also indicates that the
local police, instead OF protecting the
Americans from the violence of the mob,
in several instances assisted in the oa-
slaught
This. the report says, is demonstrated
by the fact that several of the sailors
were wounded by bayonets such as are
usually carried by the Chilian police.
The outrage is not regarded by Presi-
cent Harrison as the work of an unruly
mob. The wounds on the dead men
were made by bayonets, and therefore
the so dlers and police Of Chilli were the
butchers. Moreover, the unanimity OF
the attack shows that 1t was premedi-
tated The assaulted men were riding
peacefully in a street car. when sudden.
iy they were knocked down, dragged
from the car, shot and stabbed. Then,
not daring to face the Ameri ;ans, even
though the latter were unarmed, the
savages shot and bayonetted them in
the back.
The action OF the Chiian Government
in the present difficulty with the United
States was similar TO the position OF
Paraguay in 1857, when that country
was brought to terms by the vigorous
action of President Buchanan. The
Government Of Paraguay had, upon friv-
olous and even insulting pretextS re-
fused to ratfy the treaty of friendship,
commerce and navigation concluded
with it March 4, 1853, as amended by
the United States Senate. 1t had seized
and appropriated the property OF Amer
ican citizens residing in Paraguay,
in violent and arbitrary manner,
and finally on Feb /, 1855, by
order Of President Lopez, it had
fired upon tho United States ship Water
Witch, under Commander Thomas j.
Page, of the navy, and killed the sailor
at the helm, while the vessel was peace
fully employed in surveying the Parana
River, to ascertain its fitness for steam
navigation. The honor as well as the
interests of this country demanded salts
faction. The President brought the
subject to the notice of Congress in his
first annual message, Dec. g, 1857. In
this he informed Congress that he would
make demand for redress on the Gov
ernment of Paraguay in a firm but con-
ciliatory manner, but at the same time
observed that "this will the more prob
ably be granted IL the Executive shall
have authority to use other means in the
event of refusal. This is accordingly
recommended.
Congress responded favorably to this
recommendation. On the I'd OF June,
1858, Congress passed joint resolution
authorizing the President "to adopt such
measures and use such force as, In his
Judgment, may be necessary and advisa-
BILE in the event of refusal OF just sat
isfaction by the Government Of Paraguay
in connection with the attack on the
United states steamer water WITCH, ana
with other matters referred to in ths an
nual message" Congress also made an
appropriation to defray the expenses OF
a commissioner to Paraguay, should he
deem IL proper to appoint one, "for the
adjustment of difficulties" with that re-
public.
a.. ,fA AoI Co. H.. Il. INF s-ffass
OF South America, and its capi al, the
city of Asuncion, on the left bank Of the
River Paraguay, is more than thou
sand miles from the outh Of the La
Plate. Protected by his remote and Sc
cluded position, President Lopez but
little apprelypnded that a navy from a
far distant country could ascend the La
Plate, the Para a and the Paraguay ant
reach the capital This was doubtless
the reason why he had ventured to place
us at defiance. Under these circum-
stances President Buchanan deemed 1t
advisable to send with jams IL Bowl
i1g, our Commissioner to Paraguay, a
naval force sufficient to exact justice
should negotiation fail. This consisted
of nineteen armed vessels, great and
small, carrying 200 guns and 2, 500 sail
ors and marines, all under the command
OF Commodore Shubrick.
Soon after the arrival OF the expedi-
tion at Montevideo, Commissioner Bowl
ing and Commodore Shubrick proceeded
to ascend the rivers to Asuncion In the
steamer Fulton. accompanied by the
Water Witch. Meanwhile the remain
ing vessels rendezvoused in the Parana,
near Rosario, position from which
they could act promptly in case OF need.
The commissioner arrived at Asuncion
on Jan. %, 1889. and left 1t Feb. 10
Within this brief period he had ably and
successfully accomplished all the OBJ
jects Of his mission. in addition to am
pie apologies, he obtained from Presi-
dent Lopez the payment OF $4,000 for
the family OF Seaman Clancy, who had
been killed in the attack upon the Water
Witch, and also concluded satisfactory
treaties OF indemnity and Of navigation
and commerce with the Paraguayan
government