The record-union., 1891-12-11
PROTECTION OF AMERICAN CITI-
ZENS ABROAD.

Il
ZENS ABROAD.
The President Of the United States, in
his message just sent to Congress, re-
ferring to the assault upon the blue jack
cts of the Baltimore and the murder of
two of them in the streets of Valparaiso
which he says demands prompt and de-
cided action-states that the attention of
the Chilean Government was promptly
called to it. That statement of the facts
obtained by the investigation conducted
by the official board of the Baltimore was
submitted, with request to be advised
of any other or qualifying facts in the
possession of the Chilean Government
that might relieve the affair of the ap-
pearance of an insult to the United States.
That if such facts did not exist, this Gov
ernment would expect full and prompt
reparation. The reply of the Chilean
Government was eouched in an offensive
tone, and to this no response has been
made. Now, says the President, we are
awaiting the result of an investigation
being conducted by Chilean criminal
court
We submit that this is an unsatisfactory
showing. The murder of the American
sailors occurred October 16th 1t is now
quite two months, and yet a magisterial
investigation Of street fight is not con-
cluded. A small foreign State replies to
polite note from the United States in an
offensive tone, and we pocket the insult
and await the good pleasure of the of
fender to explain.
1t was not in this manner that the Sec
retary of State represented the Govern
ment in the correspondence with the
italian Minister. When de Rudini wrote
in an offensive tone concerning the New
Orleans affair, the American Secretary of
State in sharp and indignant note re-
buked him and gave him to understand
that such insolence would not be toll
Grated.
We apprehend that had the blue Jackets
killed in the streets of Valparaiso worn
the British uniform, within very few
hours the Chilean authorities would have
been found expressing to her majesty's
Government regret, whether they felt it
or not. Had the assault been made upon
British tars, the Chilean investigation
into the affair would have been pushed
and concluded within week, while all
the witnesses could be reached, and while
all the facts were fresh in memory.
In fact, everyone at all informed upon
British methods knows that when the
right of an English subject is outraged in
a foreign port, British naval bulldogs
yawn and show their teeth, and lanyards
stiffen in the hands of gunners upon the
locks of the engines of war. It is dis
creditable to this nation that since Octo-
Der 16, 1891, the American Government
has been unable to exact from third
rate power even a respectful answer to
the inquiry why our men were butchered
in cold blood, beneath the very guns OF
our cruisers.
Recently in an interview with an Off
Ger of our navy, published in the Rec
oRD-UNIoN, it was stated that Americans
in Chile, in order to keep in the social
swim, suppress their sylnpathies for their
own country, snub our naval officers and
conduct themselves upon the British
level, which is contemptuous of America.
Under the circumstances recited by the
President it is justifable to conclude
that this conduct upon the part of Ameri-
cans in Chile is not to be wholly attrib-
uted to desire to maintain social level
in British circles. It is reasonable to
assume that our people in Chile are hui
inflated by the spectacle of our weak
ness and lack of vigor in defense of oul
own, and that out of humiliation is born
disgust.
1t is not at all surprising that American
citizens travelling abroad who desire tc
command official respect and insure
prompt protection, secure by hook OF
crook British passports and for time
pose as subjects of Victoria.
We sabmit that according to the Presi-
dents own showing there has not been
in the Chilean affair ''the prompt and de-
cided action'' which he declares the tragic
event demanded on the part of our Gov
ernment.