The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-30
THE DEMAND ON CHILL.

Points In Which the Valparaiso Riot Differs
from that ut New Orleans.
Washington Special TO New York Tribune
1t has been suggested that the United
States are embarrassed In making demands
on Chill for reparatlon and indemnity Tor
the Valparaiso mob's attack on the Ameri-
can sailors because of the attitude assumed
by our government in the New Orleans af-
fair. President Harrison is reminded by
those Democratic newspapers opposed to the
upholding of American honor and Amer
lean rights abroad that when Italy de-
manded reparation and indemnity for
the acts of the New Orleans mob he claimed
that it was q local affair: that he could not
coerce the judicial machinery of the State
of Louisiana. and that he could only admit
the principle of an indemnity In case the
persons injured were really Italian subjects
and lawfully within our borders. 1t Is
limited that Chilli can employ these excuses
to avoid compliance with our demands.
But the cases are in no sense parallel. In
juries inflicted upon official foreigners as q
popular expression, of animosity TO the
country thew represent are of an entirely
different class from injuries upon private
foreigners inspired by motives that in no
way concern their nationality. The
New Orleans mob did not proceed against
the Italians a. Italians. but as members of
a secret murder society. It's action was IN
no way whatever an insult to Italy. All
that it did it would have done had the OBJ
jects of it's wrath been Americans instead
of Italians, as, indeed, all but two of them
were. 1t is well settled that unofficial per-
sons temporarily residing IN foreign
country are entitled to no other protection
Except as il may be specifically guaran-
teed by treaty. than Is afforded by the
country they are visiting to its own peo-
pie. The element of deliberate atfront to
the flag and Nation of the injured foreign
ers. which is the especial point of our de-
mands on Chill. was wholly wanting In the
New Orleans affair.
All the collateral issues, too. are differ
ent. The Italians at New Orleans had Civ
en- great offense to the people. They were
thought to be murderers, leagued IN a
secret criminal society whose terrorism
over the agents Of the law had been 90 long
and SO infamously exerted as to render the
ordinary operations of justice impossible
The American sailors at Valparaiso were
absolutely inotfensive, sober, unarmed and
engaged in no occupation other than the
innocent one OF walking about the city.
The mob at New Orleans overpowered the
laws officers who. to the extent of their
ability. defended the Italians. The mob at
Valparaiso, on the other hand. were, to
some extent, composed of policemen whose
bayoneu-thrusts are recognized among the
weapons used upon the American sailors.
The very men who should have inter-
posed to rescue our people were
leaders in the attack against them. Injury
on the part of the Chilian authorities was
added to the injuries of the mob by the
violent and wholly unnecessary arrest OF
thirty-five of our sailors, who were dragged
by horses to prison and detained there
until their release was perempt0rily de-
manded by the captain of the Baltimore.
These contrasts are heightened by the fact
that Chilli expressed DOregret for the affair,
offered no explanation ana allowed many
days to pass before instituting an inquiry.
The New Orleans outrage, on the other
hand. was not two hours old before our
government had formally expressed its
sorrow and horror to the minister of Italy,
declaration which was promptly followed
conditions, of indemnity.
Chill, has been presuming on her position
as a weaker state. She has given no sign
of regret for the mob's action. though hei
own officers Gre shown to havo taken par:
in 1t, nor for her own strange proceeding
in arrestlng and OBTAINING In prison ouI
uniformed and peaceable sailors. The riot
occurred under the governments nose, bu,
made to Investigate it. President Harri.
son does not propose TO be moved from an
obviously correct and necessary NECESSARY courss
and distracted. unless the plea
shall be made by Chilli herself and
accompanied by some sign of regre,
for the affair and by proper exhibition OF
respect for the American flag. He has nc
disposition to push Chilli unless she is dis
posed to evade her responsibility. But be
does not intend that government shall
profit by It's own fault in matter involv-
ing the dignity of the United States mol
that it shall make its comparative weak
ness the occasion and excuse for barbarou:
outrages on American sailors and the