The sun., 1891-12-11

States having boen debsrred from interna-
tonsl relations by the Constitution. their
accountability has necessarily devolved
upon the Federal Government; and iflegisla-
ton Is as yet lacking to mako such account
ability effective. Il IL time that tho appro-
pirate laws were passed. We should not
for an instant permit outrages committed
on American citizens at Panama to go un-
redreseed at Bogota on the plea that the
Colombian Confederation had no power to
protect foreigners from a failure OF Justice
in the courts Of the State OF Panama. 1t Is
q practical suggestion which is offered In
the Presidents message. namely. that Con-
gress should make offences against tho
treaty rights of foreigners in the United
States cognizable by the Federal courts.
The account OF the incidents which have
given rise to misunderstanding with Chill
will convince. we think, the candid reader
that no exception can be taken to the course
pursued by the State and Navy Depart
ments during the recent contest between
the Chilian Executive and the so-called Con-
gress party. It is pointed out that our re-
fusal to recognize the insurgents as bellig-
policy which our Government. when
raclsed by organized rebellion. strenuously
urged upon European nations. 1t Is. more
over. o policy which. as Mr.. BLAINE aptly
says. BALMACEDA's successor must him
self desire. now that he is clothed
with executive functions. to see OBJ
served by our Government in the
event OF revolt against his author
ity As for the Itata case. this is disposed
OF by an extract from a communication
addressed to Rear Admiral BROWN by the
Secretary OF Foreign Relations Of the Pro-
vislonal Government established at Iquique.
In this document a voluntary offer Is made
to return the Itata, together with her
arms and ammunition. on the ground that
she had violated international law by hav-
ing. while in the custody OF United States
Marshal. left the port Of San Diego and
carried Off that official. 1t Is true that a
United States District Court has since de-
clded that We had no right to seize the ves-
sci. because we had not recognized the
Congress party as q belligerent. II this Is
good law. it Is manifest that rebels would
erents. and state Of things woul d ensue
offensive to common sense.
1t should interest those Americans who
have been swift to credit the calumnious
charges brought against Minister EGAN by
an anonymous correspondent OF the London
Times. to learn from the Presidents mes
sage that up to the present hour no official
complaint Of the conduct OF our envoy In
Santiago or OF any Of our naval officers dur
ing the Gillian civil war has been presented
to our Federal Government. Noteworthy
also is the information that the new Gillian
Government has not ventured to deny the
right Of asylum asserted for the American
Legation by Minister EGAN on behalf Of Bal
macedist refugees. To the outrages per-
petrated in Valparaiso on sailors wearing
the uniform Of the United States the Presi-
dents message refers with deserved indig-
nation. and expresses dignifled regret
that the Chilian Government should have
replied in an offensive tone to the protest OF
the State Department. Significant is the
further statement that. unless o more
seemly and satisfactory answer to our
Is soon received. the matter
will be pressed on the immediate at
tention OF Congress by special mes
sage. It is. indeed. high time that the
insolence OF the Chilians should be flttingy
and that they should be taught
their true position with respect to this re-
public. Nothing could be more groundless
than the notion that we must put up with
insult and injury from petty State lest we
should expose our seaports to lombard
ment from Chilian ironclads. There are q
plenty Of armored vessels OF high class to
be bought in Europe. and. II Congress
should authorize their purchase. they could
be brought across the Atlantic long before
o Chilian vessel could reach our waters.
On the whole. we believe that no one can
read the report Of the State Department
without gratifying conviction that our
foreign relations are in firm. capable. and
patriotic hands.