Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-09
A wARLIKE MESSAGE.

The presidents message will be de-
livered to congress today. The Western
Union Telegraph company will wire an
advance copy of it here at 6 O'Clock this
morning, but it will not DE released to
the public until it has been given to
congress. We are informed by dis
patch from Washington that the presi
dent takes a very strong and warlike
stand upon the action OF Chile in rela-
ton to the murderous attack made upon
the sailors OF the Baltimore, and insists
upon prompt reparation and apology for
the outrage. The public is not yet in
formed officially of the exact attitude
Chile has assumed in this matter.
Newspaper correspondents have sent a
number of dispatches on the subject,
but they were manifestly of the sensa-
tional order. and mostly inspired by
desire to see the two countries en-
broiled. If the secretary of state, how
ever, is in possession OF official informa-
tion in which the government of Chile
has declared that it is not responsible
for the murders and will resent any de-
mand made upon it in connec-
tion Herewith, then it is high
time that the United States should
treat it as grave and serious matter.
We do not, however, believe that this
question is in such condition that It
can only be settled by resort to the
harshest measures. The new govern
ment of Chile has had great difficulties
to contend with. 1t has just emerged
from sharp and bloody civil war, and is
beset with domestic enemies. As soon
as it's wisest statesmen have had time
to consider the gravity OF the Valparaiso
massacre, and to appreciate the deter
mination of this country to stand no
nonsense on the proposition of repara-
tion, they will be quick to offer every
apology and indemnity demanded. The
best assurance we have of respectful
consideration OF all our just demands
upon every government is in the ability
we are beginning to show that we have
the power to enforce them. Every new
armored man-of-war we add to our navy
is guarantee to our country that no
nation, large or small, will dare to treat
our flag with disrespect or men wearing
our uniform with unprovoked outrage.
In taking a decisive attitude on the
Chilean question President Harrison
will undoubtedly be in unison with the
overwhelming sentiment of the Ameri-
can people. No one, however, can help
thinking how much better it would have
been if his administration had shown
some sense in the opening stages of the
Chilean embroglio? 1t must not be for
gotten that it's blunder with the South
American republic which fronts ON the
Pacific ocean is by no means the first of
the errors committed by Harrison's ad-
ministration. When the people of
Brazil, on the Atlantic coast, found it
expedient to throw off the imperial
regime, and inaugurate a republic, the
United States, instead of cordially recog-
nizing the new government, was so slow
and reluctant in recognizing her that
the liberty-loving people OF the United
States could barely restrain their indig
nation. Even the most ardent Repub-
licans will hardly contend that Mr..
Blaine's handling of the Italian question
was in any respect happy. 1t will form
the basis of the Chilean attitude on the
Baltimore. And so we go, from bad to
worse.