New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-07
CHILpS MINISTER IA KS.
But HE DOESN'T THROW MUCH LIGHT on
THE SITUATION.
HE DECLARES THAT his PEOPLE LOVE PEACE
AND THAT THIS Is GREAT COUNTRY.


AND THAT THIS rs A GREAT COUNTRY
man Of medium height, dressed in gray clothes,
having goatee and musiache Of somewhat similar
tint wearing light brown overgaiers, and swinging a
good stout walking stick, was placidly smoking a
cigarette last evening In the corridor Of the Hoffman
1lonse. lie was Don Prudencio ascano for the last
fifteen months and until week ago the accredited
Minister OF the Government Of Chill under the admins
truton OF Ralmaceda, 30 the United states. When a
reporter for The Tribune bid him good evening he
booked and spoke like man who believed thet this
was the beSt OF all possible worlds" and not at all
citizen without country which the powers that be at
Santiago no doubt now consider him TO he Senior
Lascano before his arrival In Washington was person
OF note In his own land. At the time Of his appoint
ment he was Governor Of the province OF Santiago and
secretary Of Public Works. Balmaceda having been
driven from power and those who were but yesterday
considered rebels" being the undispnted masters
of the country, with all the machinery OF the Govern
ment In their hands, Senior Lascano, thinking that
his usefulness Minister was at an end
left Washington Saturday and probably will not re-
turn there again in official capacity
The reporter asked him why be was here, how long
he would stay and whittier he going. lie shrugged
his shoulders, lighted fresh cigarette and said with
an air OF the utmost innocence:
IL am waiting for one telegram
"Apd then? 2"
"Ah, then-well, that is all. / am waiting for one
telegram"
"DO you consider the success of the Congress forces
Us fnalY"
al have no information
"Dd you take leave of the President in Washington
"Ah, the Pre-see-dent. The Pre-seedent is a nice
man. And your great Mr.. Blaine. All, he is a
glorious fellow, fine gentleman" and as he spoke his
face lighted up
add you see our Secretary Of State before leaving ~
I hnve IN On IN nap Uor
"And when you receive the telegram, l suppose you
will go to EuropeI"
al will not be very long away from the United
States Oh, this is indeed great country, mag
nifcent country. / coming back to this country
again. like this country, and like the people, too,
very much indeed, oh, very much indeed. America
is great country, and your Mr.. Blaine. l hope his
health is good"
"Whom do you suppose will be appointed to fill the
place which You have vacated"
Yes, indeed, knew him well in Washington. How
enormously your population does increase here be-
eve you seventy millions now; is not that so 2"
The reporter told him that he was several millions
ahead of the correct figure but assured the diplomat
that we were fast nearing the historic rumber in
millions Of three score and ten.
Has the civil war retarded much the commercial
progress Of Chilli"
Have you ever been in California? ?" he asked the
as those of a Sioux chief.
The reporter shook his head and then Senior Lascano
said that he had heard much about California that
he would like TO 90 there l understand" said he,
that the climate closely resembles that of Chill. My
poor country We are progressive people in Chill,
and / know that Will grow and prosper; for the
Chiians 1ove peace"
Is it likely that there will be any attempt on the
part of the forces of Bamaceda to retrieve the disaster
which overlook them al VIVA del Mara"
All, now, saw the Chilians love peace. It Is
thirty three years Sbce there revolution in the
country We are about three millions I'm population,
and we love peace"
do Won expect an early recognition by all the
Powers Of the new order Of things iii Chill ?"
"One reason why like this country" said the ex-
Minister, aside from the genius and hospitality Of its
people, is the resemblance in many parts which the
Constitutions of the two countries bear to each other
And look at your newspapers What tremendous
power they wieldV'
If tho present masters Of Chilli should capture Bal.
maceda, DO you think they would put him to deathf'
the reporter asked.
The ex Minister was stn behind his intrenchments.
He hadn't budged inch, and did not propose TO.
Lighting another cigarette he looked at his quesoner
and then in quiet grave tones he said between the
pufs T.. blue smoke, L waiting for just one tee,
gram"