New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-30
THE CHILEAN RUMORS.

The reticence maintained by the Admnstra-
ton respecting many disturbing rumOrs Oh IN
dipnities offered to the American Minister IN
Santiago may proftably be initiated by the press
Until the facts are disclosed in official form IN
temperate criticism of the action OF the Gillian
authorities is as premature and as ill-advised
40 the partisan attacks upon Minister Egan as
a disturber of international peace which have
been rashly made by hot-headed journals Al
though it is clear that the Administration mas
received advces from Santiago which have IN
yolved an important Cabinet conference we DE-
lieve that the reports of indignity and Outrage
will be found in due time to have been gross!
exaggerated The victorious Junta has SHOWN
50 MANY signs of self-possesson and moderation
that il is natural to assume that any lack Oh
Judgment displayed in its relations Win the
American Legation will be courteously eX-
nlaned. and any intention Of affronung tne
limited Stabes Government In the person OF It's
chief diplomatic agent in Santiago promptly us
syowed Indeed, it is reported IN washington
that sensible and pacific action has already oeen
taken by the Gillian authorities.
We have not hestated to recommend the re-
call of Minister Egan on the broad ground that
friendly relations between the two Governments
will be promoted by the appointment OF sue
cecsor That was before there was any cause
for suspecting that the Junta would attempt 10
force him to resign by interfering with DIS
diplomatic functions and exposing him to per-
sonal indignity. If serious affronts have been
offered to the American Legation 1t Will DC
necessary for the United States Government 70
yindicate it's honor by protecting him, and 70 can
mon the European Powers to unite with II ID
protesting against wantOn violation OF lnterna-
tional usage We are not prepared to believe
that any emergency of this kind has yet arisen
The suicide of President Balmaceda In the Ar
gentine Legation has probably excited suspicion
on the part of the Junta that refugees have been
harbored elsewhere, and there may have been
some offensive attempt to subject the American
Legation to espionage and annoyance. Dis
cussion OF these points is premature when the
facts are not officially known. We do not be-
lieve, however, that any wanton act OF hostility
or unfliendliness to the United States has been
committed with deliberation or malice
Whatever may have been the annoyances and
grievances of Minister Egan-and possibly he
overrates their importance-it is safe to assume
that the trouble has been caused by suspicion
that he was sheltering political refugees under
his roof. The United States Government has
never taken high ground on this subject in its
dea ings with Southern countries. The right OF
asylum in consulates and legations is one which
has been frequently disclamed by the State
Department unless exercised from humane
motives for the purpose of protecting unfortu-
mates temporarily from mob violence. Its atti-
tude on this subject has been wise and discreet.
Its diplomatic agents are enjoined to avoid har-
boring political offenders, and to refrain as far
as possible from interference in the domestic
affairs of foreign countries. This is the trad-
tional policy of the State Department If it
were embodied in treaties with Southern ma
tions, common cause of international comph-
| cation would be removed.