Telegram-herald., 1891-11-05


Speaking OF the demand from come
anti m.nistration Journal for the re-
call of Minister Egan from Chill, the
Washington Post says that MIR. Egan
Is not the issue, for two reasons Zone
Is" says that Journal. that the Junta
has not asked for his recall: the other
that the government at Washington
has not insisted on his retention"
This is probably correct" says the
Pittsbarg Dispatch, ''unless there Is
foundation for the report that the
Junta has asked his recall because he
suppressed the news OF Senor Montt's
appointment as Chslean Minister at
Washington. But Il is nevertheless
the fact that the position OF Mr.. Egan
is a vital factor fn the present situa-
ton. There Is the gravest reason for
insisting on exact Information as 10
whether the communications OF the
United States government To Chile and
the answers OF the Chilean government
have been transmitted through MIR.
Egan, without being eoiored by the
prejudlces and animos:ties which affect
the officials relations with the Junta.
10 is easy TO see how the negotiations
OF the two governments could be af-
sected by ouch q medium, 30 as 10
give an bss.ve tone TO comnunica-
tons which were moderate and con-
servative In the original. There Is no
Information that the iuil. text OF the
DISPATCHES has reached either govern
ment, that answer OF the Chilean gov
ernment, which Is go widely taken rs
besilgerent and defiant, being notori-
ous.y Mr.. Egan's pharaphrase OF 1t.
There is the most urgent reason for
the INQUIRY whether rhe moderate DIS
match OF President Harrison was or
was not colored by Mr.. Egan's per-
sonality SO as to make 1t hlustering
and offensive; and second, whether the
cold and defiant tone Of the version o:
t:he Chilean answer, which has been
published IN this country, is not as
much due TO Mr.. Egan's translation
| and condensation as to the documents
| ftse.Y.
Unfortunately, there are several dis
tlnct reasons for insisting on having
this doubt cleared up before proceeding
TO Interior measures. The Telegram
Herald has already alluded TO tele-
grams from Chill. representing Mr..
Egan as presenting demands for re-
paration'' accompanied by threats as
to what will follow reparatson Is
refused. This Is backed up by the
reference in the published version
OF the rep.y to the United States
government as formulating de-
m ands and uttering threats an
assertion which would be impossible
| II a faithful translation OF President
Harrison's moderate and guarded In
structlons had been Did before the
Chilean government. That document
stated the facts as they were reported
| TO the administration, inquired Tor
| qualifying facts in the possession oil
the Gillian government, and expressed
confidence that the latter would make
such rcparatson as the occasion might
require. That was all that the oc-
son required while TO tinge the ncgo-
tiation with pcrcmptory demands and
threats would be the surcst way to
make reparation impossible. Beyond
that Mr.. Egan's paraphrase OF the
Gillian answer gives IL tone OF re-
fusing to satisfy our request for an
Investigation: and the faithfulness OF
sliis report is rendered doubtful by
the telegram OF the ChfI.an govern
ment to Senior Montt, which shows
n desire TO have the United States
insrned that the judicial investiga-
ton into the riot Ia being pushed with
a view OF publishing the guilty parties.
Unfortunately. too. there are several
reasoas for doubling Nr. Egan's ae-
| curaey. Resides hss irpulsive and hot
beaded character. his reports during
the Gillian civil war damaged his rep
utatIon for strict fidelity in state
merits ~ fact; and since then the
charge has been made that he delayed
tuiormang the state Department OF
the appoantInen OF senor Montt a.
Chil.an Minister at Washington FOR
purposes ~ his own. There should hs
20 disposition 20 convict Mr. Egsn
II such n course unheard: but there
- .er-. n the assertion of the New
YORK Herald that the exact text of
/ The communcs tons between the two
governments shoaid 6eeids the mat
ter. TIE United States must Insist
on respect 70 its Tag and protection
20 lss sesuen. Rat Il should not let
neslf ee smhrosled In a South AuerI-
an war. and ruin It's commerce VITA
thst continent until is is certain
that 4 moderate communication prop
rriy presented RVS been received with
| rejection ard defiance.
TESTING NAVAL ARMoR-