Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-12-31

Tense against law and humanity, but only
as affecting the International questions
which grew ont of it. IL was one repre-
scented by the Italian minister that several
of those whose lives had been taken by the
mob were Italian subjects. and demand
was made for The punishment of the par
Elephants and for an indemnity to
the families of those who were
killed. II is TO be regretted that
the manner In which t""se claims
mote a calm discussion Of the questions In
volved, put this may well be attributed to
the excitement and indignation with which
the crime naturally evoked. The views OF
this government. A. to its ob!igationsoto
foreigners d0miciied here. were fully stated
pnse to make an investigation Of the affair
with view to determine whether there
were present any circumstances that could.
under such rules of duty as we have in
dicated, create an obligation upon the
United States. The temporary absence OF
q minister plenipotentiary at this capital
has retarded the further correspondence,
but 1t Is not doubted that friendly con-
clusion Is attainable. Some suggestions
growing out of this unhappy incident are
worthy the attention OF congress. 1t
would, believe. he entirely competent for
treaty rights of foreigners dOmiciled In the
United States cOgnizable in the federal
courts. THIS has not, however. been done
and the federal officers and courts nave no
power in such cases to intervene either
for the protection OF a foreign c't',
his s!ayers. 1t seems to Ine to follow IN
this state OF law, that the officers of the
state. charged with the police and judicial
powers in such cases must. in the consider
alton Of international questions, growing
out OF such incidents. be regarded in such
f-I. tn lar
eminent answerable for their acts in cases
where it would be answerable IL the United
States had used its constitutional power TO
define and punish crimes against treaty
rights.
The Chilean Complications.
The civil war in Chile. which began In
January last, was continued. but for
tunately with infrequent and not impor-
tant armed collisions .un.il August %.
when the congressional forces landed near
Valparaiso, and after bloody engagement
captured that city. President Baimaceda
ut once recognized that his cause was lost.
and provisional government was speedily
established by the victorious party. Our
minister was promptly directed to recog-
niZe and put himself in communication
with this government so soon az 1t should
have established de facto character, which
was done. During the tendency Of this
civil contest, frequent indirect appeals were
made to this government to extend belllger-
emit rights to the insurgents and to
give audience to their representatives.
This was declined. and that policy was
pursued throughout. which this govern
ment, when wrenched by civil war. 70
strenuously insisted upon the part Of
European nations. The Itata, al armed
vessel commanded by naval officer OF the
insurg ent fleet, manned by its sailors and
with soldiers on board, was seized under
process Of the United States court at San
Diego, Cal. for violation of our neutrality
laws. While in the custody OF an officer OF
the court the vessel was forcibly wrested
| from his control aud put to sea. 1t would
| he inconsistent with the dignity and self
respect of this government not to have in
sisted that the ltata should be returned to
San Diego. to abide the judgment Of the
court. This was so clear to the junta Ut
the congressional party. established at
| Iquique. that. before the arrival OF the
itata at that port, ths secretary OF foreign
relations of the provisional government i'd
dressed Rear Admiral Brown, command
ing the United States naval forces, cOnl-
munic cation, from which the following Is
an extract: '.rAe provisional government
has learned by the ca6iegrams OF
the Associated Press that tho trans.
port ltata, detained in San Diego
by order Ut the United States for taking
ON board munitions OF war and iE posses
sion OF the marshals left the port, carrying
OH board this official, who was landed at q
point near the coast, and there continued
her VOYAGE. Ii this news I've correct this
government would deplOro the conduct OF
the ltata and rs ali evidence that 1t 10 moi
disposed to support or agree to the infrac
ton OF the laws of the United States, tbs
undersigned takes advantage Of the per
sonal relations you have been good enough
to maintain with him since your arrival IL
this port, to declare to you that a. soon =.
she is within reach OF our orders his gov
eminent will put the Itata, with the arm!
and munitions she took on board IN SaI
Diego, at the disposition Of the UniteC
States"
A trial in the district court Of the United
States for the southern district Of Cali
fornis has recently resulted In q decision
holding. among other things. that, mas
much as the congressional party had no
been recognized rs q belligerent. the act
done in its interest could not he violation
OF our neutrality laws. From this judg
ment the United States has appealed, no
that the condemnation OF The YES
sci 70 a. matter Of u,.i import 2! 9s
present state Of our laws, for, II this con
struction OF the statute is correct. there
obvious necessity Tor revision and amend
ment. During the progress Of the war il
Chile, this government rendered its goo
OnlceS 10 DflnK ABOUT peaCctul HuJu
. ment, and 1t was at one time hoped that
good result might be reached; but In TIL
we were disappointed. The instruction
to our naval officers and to our minister q
Santiago. from the first to the last OF TIL
: this struggle, enjoined upon them the mos
impartial treatment and absolute NOT
; interference. ap satisfied that these il
: structiOns were observed, aud that our rel
resentatives were always watchful to Ut
. their influence impartaliy In the intere:
OF humanity, ana OH more than one Occ'
sion, did - effectively.
: We could not forget, however. that tn
!. government was IN diplomatic relation
with tho then established government
Chile, as 1t is now in such relations wit
the successor Of that government l a
!. quite sure that President Mont, who ha
under circumstances OF promise tor II
: peace of Chile, been installed
:. president OF that republic, will N
/. desire that, In the unfortuna
J. y event of any revolt against his authorit
= the policy Of this government should
= other than which we have recently o.
. served. No official complaint Of the col
), duct of our minister or OF our naval q
y ficcrs during the struggle has been pr
scented to this government; and 1t IL
a matter Of regret that so many Of our ow
manila ahnutd have given Gar Tn the II