Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-07
HE HAS BEEN IN CHILE.
Mr.. Rutledge Wilson's Views About the
Trouble In Valparaiso.

Mr.. Rutiedge Wilson of the District bar spent
eight years of his life prior to 1871 in Chile,
where he has brother who is one Of the leading
business men of that country. Mr.. Wilson sayi
in reference to the people and the present ex.
element:
From long residence among them can
say am well acquainted with the Chileans.
Climate and the nature Of their country has
made them hardy people. The aboriginies
were proud people and the infusion of Span
ish blood has added a quick temperament.
They are kidd-hearted and hospitable, though
quick to resent an insult Under many disad.
vantages, without the military education and
equisment possessed by the other side they
whipped the Spaniards out of their country
and obtained their Independence. THOR coun-
try Is rich In minerals and pastoral productions
The people, as in other countries are divided
into classes. Only prosperity, education and
time can alter the condition of the lower
classes There is a refinement Of feeling now
among the lower classes. and as a nation thew
keep up with the spirit of the times What ia
not produced at home is supplied from abroad
and although some of the primitive customs
are still adhered to by the mass, q very great
many OF the people are progressive, and what
OF comforts and Injuries are to be found in
other places are also to be found in Chile.
My observation while with them was that
respectabllty was a passport to the hearts and
homes Of the higher and lower classes. As a
rule Americans we're Hospitality received and
II individual cases we're excepted it Was be-
cause such individuals were not worthy Sea-
faring people, as we'll the inhabitants of
shipping ports, all know what sailor on leave
Is and how they usually spend their leave, and
IN what condition they return on board ship
Chile is wine-growing country, and every-
body takes either the native or imported Juice.
IL h. ~.
other places. As have remarked, when sailors
get on sprees they give loose rein to their de-
slres. and IT Is not uncommon to see them on
the back Of an animal, three sheets in the
wind lacking from one quarter to the other
and under ordinary circumstances the natives
would laugh at anything drunken sailor would
do or use them teLderly. In the present in
stance OF the alleged assault and murder of the
men who we're on shore from the Baltimore in
Valparaiso l can imagine that they were
not at all careful of their condition or
OF their attitude toward the people and were
while in their cups. unguarded in their declsra,
ton as to what the United States had said and
what IL could do. In fact, they were sailors on
leave. Some petty officers were among them
but they were not there to control the men on
leave. and, opine. did not do 30. These men
were not marched from one place to another In
q body, but each one was for himself: but when
one was interrupted or got into bravl they
may have combined and attempted to oyerawe
the natives But the natives do not fear any,
thing, ana when Greek meets Greek the fur
flies.
Love Of country, SO natural TO Americans.
Is inst as strong with the Chileans, and I can
readily fancy the brawi began at first by some
small talk.
The people generally are well informed
through the many newspapers Of what happens
at home and abroad, and the popular party,
the iIsurrectionists. nov the government de
facto NOUld naturally feel exultant over ito
success. The dominant party comprises all
classes Of people, and while the better class
would probably use different means than a
street brawl to resent an injury, either by word
or by deed, yet we must recollect that the affair
might not have happened if only officers Of our
navy had been on shore, but it was between
sailors and the populace.
The revolution is Of 50 recent . date that
the people are hardly yet relieved from the in
tense excitement caused by it and feeling runs
strong. have the utmost confidence that the
men now In power in Chile viii have the matter
invesnsated and see that justice is done to the
There retwo sides to every question. When
sailor gets drunk and misbehayes while in
port ana on shore leave, he is generally pun
lsheo "nen found out and his leave at the next
port Is stopped Naturally sailors al stick BY
one another, and 1t is hard for the officers to
md out the exact status Of an AFFAIR Of thia
kind
Then the reverse. suppose the time &C.
cupled by the occurrence was abort IL Wa
probably started by the act of one or two pasu
aud ran like wildtre, and the crisis WAS most
instantaneous There was probably some
Iee;iis IN tne minds OF the popuiace about the
| action OF the United States in the Itasa matter.
as well as the alleged action Of the United
states minister and the officers of the men-of.
war IN assisting the Balmaceda party as sesins,
the liberals"