New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-30
THE CRISIS IN GILLIAN AFFAIRS.

The Gillian Government seems to have an
swered the State Departments instructions to
the American Minister mpulsively and without
mature deliberation. As false reports of an attack
upon the Gillian Legation at Washington seem to
have been current in Santiago, some allowance
is to be made for the intense excitement under
which the public there is laboring. AmencanS,
not being as hot-blOoded race as the Chllans,
will keep cool and await with patience the diplo-
matte action of the Administration. AT the same
time, if we correctly understand the temper OF
the American people, the Government will be
justified in adherng reSolutely and iniieXlbly
10 its demand for adequate explanations and
suitable PREPARATION for a wanton affront to the
United States. This is the most peaceable Ma
ton on the face of the earth, and it does not
want war with any republic on this continent I;
but there is in it too much patriotic Anglo-SaXon
stock to tolerate submission to outragss upon its
dignity from any quarter
That the unfriendness now felt in Chill
toward the United States is unreasonable may
be readily demonstrated No charges which
have been brought against the American Min
ister of hostility to the Congressional cause are
as serious as the offences of the English Minis
fer. The crisis of the war was reached when
Balmaceda's warships purchased in Europe were
under sailing orders. The Congressional party
at once broke up their camps on the nitrate coast
and entered upon campaign in Central Chlll
in order to anticipate the arrival of the new
feet The vessels had been secured by an IL
legal shipment of treasure from Valparaiso IN an
English vessel of-war This act for which the
British Minister and the commander of the Eng
lish ship were responsible, was not only blow
aimed directly against the Congressional cause,
but clearly involved violation of the principles
Of neutrality. Nothing either in the proceedings
against the Itata or in the operations of the
American cruisers in Gillian waters, or in the
conduct of Minister Egan at Santiago was so
hostile and offensive to the party now in power
as this receipt of stolen treasure with which
cruisers for active service against their feet were
purchased. Strangely enough, the Chilians have
not been incensed against European Powers ior
Aagrant acts of hostility, but have magnihed the
importance of the Itata case and been enraged
bv tbe humane offices of Minister Egan and the
American naval commanders in protecting po-
litCal refugees
In contrast with this unreasoning temper OF
the leaders of the Junta is the calm, dSpaSslonate
Judgment shown by the Administration at every
stage of the Gillian complications. The ltata
was fcrcby relaued from the jurisdiction OF the
United States courts, and its restoration was
required by international law. The American
Minister'S release from humating state Oh
siege at his residence was required by the usages
of international law safe-conduct 10 the
Baltimore was asked for political refugees under
his roof, and this was grounded upon the humane
instincts of civilized nations When sailors wear
ing the American uniform were shot down Ike
dogs in the streets of Valparaiso and drawn by
horses to the police station and placed under
arrest, request remarkable for its temperate
and courteous tone was made for explanations
with view to reparatiOn. When the Gillian
Government has time for deliberate consdera-
ton of these matters it will inevitably regret
it's impetuOus and defiant answer to the dipio-
matte and Just demands of the United States