New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-25
Tile NEHS EROM CHILL.


The official information published from Chill
shows that wanton affront has been offered
to the American flag in Valparaiso. The attack
upon forty men of the Baltimore was something
more than street brawl in which one sailor
was killed and several were wounded. 1T was
an insult to the American Government when
ought to have been promptly disavowed by the
Gillian officials. Instead Of suppreSsng mon
violence and Furnishing the assaiants, the local
authorities arrested thirty of the Sailors
who were unarmed and conducting themselves
properly The case does not resemble the at
tack upon the Italians in NewOrleans, for they
were residents, and nearly all were naturallzed
citizens. The Ba'timore's men wore the uni
form of the United States Navy, and the lndlg-
mites to which they were subjected were ma
licios and passionate manifestations OF hostll-
ity and ill-wll to the American people. we
cannot believe that the CHILEAN Government Will
refuse to dsavow and make reparatiOn for these
acts of mob violence. The Administration IS
properly strengthening its naval armament IN
CHILEAN waters, and can be depended upon to
sustain the dignity of the Nation.
The Liberal triumph in the CHILEAN elections,
while not so complete as the earliest dispatches
indicated offers adequate safeguards against
Ieactionary legislation. When Balmaceda en-
tered upon his Presidential term he was sup
ported by an overwhelming majority OF Lib
erals in both houses of Congress. Out OF 12O
Deputies only twenty were classed with the
Conservative party, which had been for many
wears the stronghold of aristOcratic and clerical
influence Among forty Senators only five were
connected with the reactionary group. The
majority were Liberals, more or less advanced
in their political ideas, but united in support
of the laws recently enacted in relation TO cvll
marriage and the sccularization OF cemeteries
and publ, schools. The Conservatives were
hostile to the new system of State education
and favored the maintenance of ancient ecclesi-
astical privileges. In the elections which were
held during the last week the Conservatives
have made substantial gains but will be heavily
outvoted in both houses Of Congress by the
Liberals.
While the Congre sional coalition formed
against Balmaceda had the open support OF the
Clerical party in Chill, it was in the main
revolt of the Liberal party against its leader
Only small section of the Deputies and SEN
ators followed the Dictator in his career OF ad-
venture ard usmpation. The political leaders
of the Junta were Liberals, and their success. III
overthrowing the Government has naturally
been followed by the restoration Of the party
to power by the action Of the constituencies.
As the Conservatives took an active part in the
victorious instruction, they have increased their
repre,entation in Congress and the Electoral
College. but. fortunately for Chill, they will be
unable to control either the election of the
President or general legislation.
1t is an uncrring sign of progress in the po-
ltical development of the republic that the
victorious general in the revolutionary cam
paign is not named as the probable candidate
for the Presidential succession. The ordinary
course Of successful instruction in Spanish
America involves a military dictatorship for an
indefinite period and then the election of the
triumphant soldier as constitutional President
I'm Chill there has always been marked prefer
encp for civilian over military candidates This
tendency was conspicuOusly illustrated in 1881,
when the general who had Subjugated Bolivia
and Peru was nominated as a candidate for
the Presidency. He was the most popular
soldier in Chill, and his return to Santiago was
the occasion of general public rejoicing but he
could not muster a cOrpoIal's guard of partisans
for his canddature. There seems to be the
same diSnchhation now to confer the highest
honors of the State upon military candidate.
The political instinct in Chill is against military
government There is more civic courage there
more of the strong fibre of good citizenship
than in any other country in Spanish America.
Patriotism there has true and sterling ring