New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-13
WHY THE MINISTER HAS BEEN ATTACKED.
ENGLISH INTERESTS ALARMED AT HIS EFFORTS
IN BEHALF OF AMERICAN TRADE.


Santiago, Chill, Oct. 15.-The mails which arrived
here from the North few days ago brought American
newspapers up to September TO- The publications
contained In them In regard 10 affairs in Chilli and
particularly the statements In regard to Patrick Egan,
the United States Minister here, have caused much
comment in this city, The members OF the American
colony here unable to Judge what may be the real
feeling In America In regard TO Mr. Egan but they are
expressing their indignation at OF the statements
which have found their way into the American press
Among the prominent Americans in Chill there is not one
who expresses any sympathy with the charges which
have been made against Mr.. Egan.
Mr.. Egans policy from the moment that ne was re-
ceved IN Santiago the representative OF the United
States has been one calculated to advance American
interests in Chill. Several measures which he under
took in the early part of his administration naturally
excited enmity, and ALARM in the minds OF per-
sons who represented other foreign interests and who
regarded with jealousy any American encroachr
ments upon territory which they considered
their own. The English interests In Chill ex-
coed those of any other foreign country, ana
the English residents the most active In their
opposition to the Am rfcan Minister. Without any
attempts at secrecy, Mr. Egan cndeavored to make ar
rangements with the Gillian Government. which was
then represented by President Bamacet1 by which in
ducements would be offered for American capital to
become interested IN the valuable nitrate property IN
the northern part OF Chill. This enterprise had been
hitherto and Is sn, controlled almost exclusively py
the English. This the chief one OF the improper
contracts" with the Bamaceda Government winch Mr.
Egan Is accused Of making. lie is charged with en-
deavoring to make CONTRACT LOT an eAciuSi'o VIII
merce in nitrate"
Mr. Egan was perfectly aware OF the fact that. IN
view Of the large English interests already esaohshed
In the nitrate fields, such thing was absolutely iii
possible. The most that lie could have obtained ana
the most that he had any intention OF obtaining was
share OF the nitrate business for any Americans WHO
might care TO enlist In the enterprise. But there was
hardly an Engshman in all Chill who did not regard
these efforts on the part OF the American Minister as
a direct menace to English interests.
Mr. Egan endeavored TO agitate the establishment
NJ an American steamship line on the west coast OF
South America and he was also instrumental IN having
an American cable line extended to valparaiso.
There were other measures Of a similar nature
which he undertook and in all Of these efforts which
he made TO advance the interests Of the country which
he represented and not those of Great Britain, he met
with the same opposition and the same c1tlcsn' All
this occurred before the revolution in Chill broke OUT
and while Mr.. Egan had not succeeded In establishing
a strong friendship between himself and the English
residents of Santiago and Valparaiso, he had estan
lished the most cordial relations with the Chiiian
Government and the Gillian people generally. lie mad
also secured the support and cooperation OF amsss
every American citizen in Chilli and he has that sup
port and cooperation at the present time.
| When the civil war broke out, in January, mar
jorty Of the American residents in Chill declared them
selves in favor of the Congressional party Mr. Esan
did not do so for the plain reason that ne was ac-
| credited TO the Government which was
represented by President Balmaceda The insurgents
| at that time, and during the whole war,
felt that all persons who did rot conle out openly In
| their favor must be opposed to their cause The
idea OF strict neutrality il Is understood in the
United states unknown to them. The seizure o
the iata last spring caused the first open hostility
| 10 America. Mr.. Egan knew nothing about the
| itata beyond what he had read in the Gillian news
, papers; but from that time forward he was regarded
by those of the insurgents who were not familiar viii
! the circumstances as ally OF Rslmaceda. .
| One fact however, which was remarked was that
Mr. Egan was never accused Of visiting Balmaceda or
any representative OF his Government, In either an
official or unofficial capacity, and afterward declaring
openly that he in favor OF the Insurgents ana cX
pressing the hope that they would win. This Is
charge which Is brought against certain ohgr iores
sentative Of Great Britain. Some Of the most proml,
nent men in the Congressional party, including several
persons high in authority in the present PROVISIONAL
government who have discovered that the war IS over
are among the strongest supporters Of Mr.. Egan and
assert that his position during the war was one OF
4 Yt.aIlt