The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-09-05
.EGAN INTERVIEWED
He Feels Grieved That He Should
Be Criticised.
TESTIMONIES TO HIS WORTH.
lie says de Has No Nitrate Contracts-Saved
Many CT the Insurgents-He Knew
Nothing Of the Itata Affair.

NEW YORK, Sept. 4.-The Rerald's San
tlago correspondent cables that he had a
long talk to-day with United States Minis
ter Egan. He feels kneely the fact that
his official acts have been criticised and
motives impugned. He emphatically denies
That he has shown any partisansh1p for
Balmaceda. II was accredited to Balma-
cedas government said Egau, s'and by
retaining his esteem | have been enabled
to effect the escape and save the lives of
many prominent leaders of the opposition
who were hourly in danger of their lives"
How about the alleged nitrate schemes.n
II never have been asked nor have | in
any way protitted by connection with any
nitrate scheme, nor do [ expect, nor have I
expected to so profit by any such scheme.
My son advanced money to railroad con-
tractor; the contractor failed and my son
lost his money!
Did you take any action which led to
the Seizure of the Itata?n
u knew absolutely nothing of the Itata
until was informed by Gillian officials
she mad been siezed | kept the state de-
partment fully informed OF all important
events here up to July, relying upon
information gained in Santiago and reports
from Admiral Mccain as to the position of
the opposition
Ever since my arrival here" continued
hgan, the English, who are naturally an
tagonlstlc to me, have looked with Jealous
eye on my success in obtaining recognition
Tor American citizens and payment of their
claims. SO far as my sympathies go, they
are extended to all. Together with Consul
McCreery L have saved from imprisonment
and death many men,"
Minister Egan says he began to make
proposals TO Balmaceda on August 20 that
In the event of his defeat, and in order to
AVOID further bloodshed, he should deliver
the government into the hands of General
Baquedano. 1t was on the night of August
y that, forced by stern neces
sity, Balmaceda had to afix his
signature to the decree completing the
surrender. The correspondent adds he has
interviewed members of the junta and
leaders of the opposition as well as Balma-
cedlst exc officials. One and all agree that
Egan has done much to save the credit of
the United States.
Senior Edwards Matte, one of the fore
most of the opposition leaders, said:
"When the time comes [ stand ready to
youch for Minister Egan's behavior in
every way. He Is a gentleman honorable
and loyal to the country of his adoption
American residents in Santiago and Val
paraiso affirm the Vows expressed by
S Sea,. Matte, while regretting
Chill from the American standpoint
a mob visited the United States legation
on the night of August 80 and demanded
that Minister Godoy's brother be given up
to them. Egan went out and told them
Senior Godoy was under the protection of
the flag OF the United States and that the
first man who attempted to enter the door
OF the legation building would be shot.
His calm bearing and determined tone
awed the mob and they left cheering for
the flag.
William Mckenna and Senior Ybanes.
ex-Chllian minister to the United States,
both Balmaceda's supporters. deny posi-
lively that Egan had any connection what
ever with any nitrate scheme. They saw
he used all his influence with Balmaceda
TO bring about peace and establish reforms
They charge that Colonel North, the Eng
lish nitrate king, was the cause of the
revolution and that he used Senator
Zebaro as his agent.
Minister Egan showed me copy of a let
ter which he sent Admiral Mccain at Ioui-
que and which is quoted by the admiral to
rhe lunta as giving the minister's opinion
that Balmaceda's government could not
be overthrown. 1t was this let
ter which led the junta to re
fuse Egan's good offices in bringing
-uouf Podoo' Ing Copy VI Iu6 l6GCer SHOWN
me reads: ~ learn that the government
has 10000 soldiers and 10000 police well
armed and equipped. From your informa-
ton and other sources l am led to believe
the opposition have only few thousand
men, wanting in arms, etc. My opinion is
this government cannot be overthrown. [
am, therefore, ready and anxious to do all
can to bring about peace between the con-
tending parties and TO save unnecessary
bloodshed in this country"
Egan says one of Admiral McCann,s of
ticials sent letter to the iunta with an al
legged copy of his letter. He contended the
letter was private and its publication Of
fcially was never thought Of
The governments of Baazil and Peru
have officially congratulated the junta on
the victory of the Congressional party and
the restoration of peace in Chill.
a decree has been issued by the iunta
announcing that notes issued during the
revolution by Balmaceda will be recognized
as legal by the new government An in
vestigation of the banks shows many of the
officers have taken care to
pretty well feather their nests.