Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-30
MR.. EGAN'S TROUBLE.
More Rattling Among the
Dry Bones.
The Situation at Santiago Still
a Mystery.
Rumors That the White Squadron
Will Proceed to Chile.
Egan Instructed to Demand the Release
of Imaginary American Citizens
Under Arrest-NO Real
Danger,
.Associatea Press pispatches.


WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.-Acting Secre-
tary Wharton this morning conferred
with the president until the cabinet
met, when he returned to the state de-
partment. A cablegram was received
there from Minister Egan in response to
one sent him yesterday, asking for fur
ther instructions as to the situation in
Santiago. Its contents, however, were
not made public, but it is known that
the acute phase of the situation has
passed, and no serious trouble is antici-
pated. Minister Eagan has maintained
the dignity of his legation, and the
refugees remain under his protection.
So far as the protection of refugees is
concerned, the practice of nations in
cludes cases widely variant in principle.
Our own history. however, shows that
where the refugees seeking an asylum in
the legation were lot Americans, the
United States government has uniformly
discouraged their mission and protec-
ton. But the real issue in
the present appears to be interference
with free communication between the
legation in Santiago and the outside
world, and in such cases the provisions
of international law are most explicit.
1t is broadly stated that the country to
which minister is accredited, guaran-
tees that in time of peace, this commui-
cation shall not be interrupted, and that
the servants and attaches of legation
are not to be molested, or any act done
that may tend to impede the business of
the legation. The United States, in
particular, has shown itself intolerant
of any such interference, and even in
the Franco Prussian war protested most
effectively against the assumption by
Germany, during the siege OF Paris, of
the right to interrupt or detain Minis
ter Washburne's mail messengers.
Wild rumors were in circulation this
afternoon to the effect that the, white
squadron and other vessels would be
sent to Chile, but these stories were
inconsistent with SecretaryTracy's state
ment that no more vessels were to be
ordered thither.
In the cabinet meeting, today, the
subject of Egan's troubles with the
junta were not touched upon, and it
may be positively stated that while
protected, the acute phase and crisis OF
the situation has been passed, and the
existing difficulty is now likely to be-
come simply one OF ordinary diplomatic
correspondence.
Although dispatches from Chile were
received at the headquarters OF the
Chilean Congressional ENJOYS in Wash
ington up to 8 O'Clock last night, they
contained no reference to the reported
arrest OF American citizens in Santiago
and the stationing of police around the
United States legation building there.
CHICAGO, Sept. 20. "A Washington
special says instructions have been
cabed Egan, minister to Chile, to de-
mand the release of the American citi-
zens who have been arrested on suspic-
ion of being spies or sympathizers with
the enemy of the junta. According to
the special he is also instructed to take
every precaution to preserve the lives
and liberties of American citizens and
those seeking protection within the
American consulate.
NEW YORK, Sept. 29.-The Herald's
Valparaiso cable says: 1t is not gener-
ally believed that the evidence of ill
feeling towards Americans will be kept
up, except on the part of pot-valiant
blowers, aided by few newspapers and
urged on by the British element who
are absolutely inimical to the people of
the United States. The firm attitude of
the United States will stop any nom
sence, especially if the firmness is backed
by the presence of few of the white
suuadron