The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-13
EIGHT-PAGE EDITION

there is little doubt that the primary cause
OF the revolution was the fact that English
interests in nitrate properties were threat
ened by Balmaceda. Numerous instances
developed during the war in which valu-
able assistance was given the revolutionists
by English representatives in Chile, and it
is fact tfhat the English residents are now
strongest in their denunciations of AM
ericans and misrepresentation of the con-
duct of American officials. Conservative
Chileans state that the present feeling will
not continue. and that commercial rela-
tions with the United States will not be
affected when the present trouble has
blown over. Those in open opposition to
America, however, are very bitter.
In letter under date of Octobet Is, the
correspondent says that among Americans
in Chile, or at least those who enjoy the
respect of the community in which they
live, there is not to be found one who ex-
presses any sympathy with the
charges made against Egan here and
IN section of the American press Egan's
policy, he says, has been one calculated to
advance American interests IN Chile
without any attempt at secrecy he en-.
deavored to make arrangements with the
Chilean government, then represented by
Balmaceda, by which inducements would
be offered for American capitol
to become interested in valuable
nitrate property in the northern part Of
the country. This enterprise had hitherto
been and is still controlled almost exclu-
sively by the English. This was the chief
of the improper contracts" with the Bal
maceda government which Egan is accused
of making. The most he could have OBJ
tanned, and the most he had any intention
Of obtaining. was a share of the nitrate
business for Americans who might
care to enlist in the enterprise, but
there was hardly an Englishman IN
all Chile who did not regard these
efforts on the part of the American
minister as direct menace to English in
terests, and there is hardly an English-
man in Chile since that time who has not
contributed his snare to the general outcry
against Egan and all Americans. Minister
Egan also endeavored to agitate the es-
tablishment of an American steamship
line on the west coast of South America,
and was instrumental in having Ameri-
can cable lines extended to Valparaiso.
He undertook other measures of a SINH
lar nature, and in all these efforts
to advance the interests of his
country he met the same opposition
and the same criticism. All this occurred
before the revolution in Chile began. At
that time many American residents de-
clared themselves more or less openly in
favor of the revolutionists. Egan did
not do SO for the very good reason
that he was accredited to the
government headed by Balmaceda,
The insurgents, however, at all times ad.
mitted but one principle, and that was
that persons who did not declare openly
in their favor must be opposed. When
the Itata was seized the English residents
started the charge that Egan was respon-
sibIe, although he knew nothing about il
beyond what he read in the Chilean news
papers.
The correspondent says Egan was never
accused of visiting Balnaceda or the rep.
resentatives of his government and after
wards declaring openly in favor of the in
surgents and expressing the hope that
they would win. On the contra
ry, Kennedy, the British minis
ter and other foreign diplomats
expressed loud opinions in favor of the
insurgents. Egan courts the fullest inves-
tigation as to his neutrality during the
progress of the war; and some of the most
prominent men in the Congressional party
now do not hesitate to declare that his
position was one of strict neutrality. The
English residents and the English minister
still circulate annoying rumors about
Egan, and before the public make insult
ing insinuations which are entirely with
out foundations The English minister is
being criticised for having secured for Bal
maceda the British man-of-war in which
he sent several millions of silver out of the
country. At the date of the letter the pro-
visional government had acknowledged
that the United States minister
was acting right in giving refuge
and asylum, and it is believed that
safe conduct will ultimately be issued. A
letter is quoted which was printed in a
Santiago paper. from Egan's son, dealing
at length with the innuendos dealt in by
certain American papers, and refuting the
charges brought against himself and
father in the matter of contracts as 'fat
jobs, etc.
VALPARAISO, Nov. 12-[New York Herald
special. THE complications that have
arisen in the provisional government of
Chile on account of the resignation of
Minister of the Interior Irrazahal and
Minister of Agriculture Walker Martinez,
seem in fair way of being straight
ened out. AS cabled you yesterday,
they surrendered their offices because tho
dominant Liberal party failed to elect
conservative counsellors of state as il is al
legged they had agreed to do. 1t is now
reported that two members of the council
of state intend to resign rather than
cause any political ill-feeling. If this
action is taken it will create vacancies in
the council for two Conservatives. 1t is
expected that in view of the concessions
made to their party, Irrazahal and Walker
Martinez will resume their portfolios.
report has just reached here from
Santiago that Pedro V. Candarillas has
shot and killed himself at his hiding
place on a farm in the mountains
in the vicinity of the capital.
He was Balmaceda's minister of agricult-
ure in the first capinet formed by the die
tator. The cause of the suicide was fear
of persecution on the part of the junta,
and he did not dare to stand trial.
military tribunal today sentenced ten
officers of Balmaceda's army to banish-
ment from Chile for five years and q day,
and disbarment from holding any Office in
this country.
BRAZIL REVOLUTION SPREADING.
Soldiers and Citizens Of Rio Grands do