New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-06
4 MINISTER'S USEFULNESS ENDED.

The recall of Minister Egan from Santiago
will probably be rendered necessary by the
downfall of the 3almaceda Government.
Whether Justly or uniustly, he has incurred the,
displeasure of the leaders of the victorious
party 1t is evident that another American
Minister would exercise greater influence and
excite less personal resentment than Mr.. Egan
in the transition period which must ensue IN
CHILEAN politics. We doubt not that the Adj
ministraton will speedily replace him. and
thereby improve its relations with the maritime
republic. At such a crisis 1t will be OF the
highest importance to have the United States
represented at Santiago by strong and ex-
perienced diplomatiSt who has not aroused
prejudice in any quarter. 1t would be wiser to
transfer Minister from some other Spanish
American post than to make an entirely fresh
appointment. For instance, if Minister Ryan,
who has rendered excellent service in Mexico
and acquired practical acquaintance with
Spanish-American character were sent to Sant-
ago, and his post filed by new candidate for
diplomatic honors an excellent solution OF the
mlestion would be effected. In any event,
new American representative at the CHILEAN
capital is urgently needed.
The displacement of Minister Egan will sim
ply be one of the fortunes Of civil war. During
the American conflict the foreign Ministers
with few exceptions, were markedly in sym
pathy with the insurgents, but they remained
at Washington accredited to the National Adj
ministration. This was in accordance wi h gen
eral diplomatic usage Whenever there is civil
war the representatives of foreign Powers are
MI hn
legitimate Government at the capital. 1t was
Minister Egan's duty to remain in Santiago and
TO recognize in Balmaceda the Chief Executive
who had been elected by the nation, precisely
as the British and French Ministers were sta
toned AZ Washington rather than at Montgom-
cry or Richmond. In performing that duty he
has given offence to the victors. The success
of the Congressional party involves his recall
for the simple reason that his relations were
necessarily more intimate with Balmaceda than
with the Junta Mt Iquique. The Congressional
leaders may entertain deeper feeling OF re-
sentiment against him than the circumstances
have justified. but the fact that they are ex-
ceedingly bitter in their complaints of extreme
partisanship on his part during the civil war
inevitably impairs his usefulness in the pres
speedily recognize the necessity of deferring
to the wishes of the leaders of the victorious
party. and recalling a Minister whose continued
presence in the capital is now a source Of en-
barrassment
1t is hardly practicable for foreign Ministers
under conditions of civil strife to avoid giving
offence in some quarter or disclosing sympathes
with one faction or the ether. When, as in
Chilli, victory is won on the battlefield by those
whose diplomatic status was that of insur-
gents, foreign Ministers at the capital cannot
hope to escape their displeasTe. England,
owing to the shipment of Government treasure
from Valparaiso with the oonniyance of its
diplomatic officials, is in worse plight than the
United States. But both countries as the re-
suit of the fortunes Of war will be compelled
to make diplomatic changes in Chill without
unnecessary delay.