The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-30
CHILE.

Ii the statements reported TO have been
made by Senior Montt, the Chilean envoy.
to Secretary Blaine, charging both Minis
ter Egan and the commander of the BaIti-
more with gross violation Of the spirit Of
neutrality between the contesting parties
to the recent revolution in Chile, are true,
there is nothing surprising IN the bitter
anti-American spirit manifested by its
present government and people. If these
statements are true Minister Egan ought
TO be recalled and the commander OF the
Baltimore severely disciplined. It is pos
sible the charges are not well founded, for
if they were the Chilean government
ought to have at once demanded
the recall of Egan. It is worthy of
consideration also that leading citizens OF
Valparaiso, both native and foreign, deny
In public letter that Minister Egan was
guilty of any unwarrantable action in the
conduct of his Office. In justice 10 Chile
it must be said, however, that not only
have the London Times dispatches from
Santiago charged the naval officers Of the
United States with displaying unfriendn-
gressional government during the late
revolution, but the same charges have
been made in the letters from John Trun-
bull, Of Santiago, to the New York Evening
Post.
The Itata incident does not explain the
bitter luminosity in Chile to the United
States among all classes of people. The
attack on the sailors Of the Baltimore was
not surprising when we remember that It
was this vessel that is reported to have
played spy upon the operations OF the
Congressional army, and by reporting it's
movements to Balmaceda increased the
bloody cost OF its victory by l. 90 men. II
is further charged that Minister Egan at
his legation abused its privileges of asv-
lum. The agent Of the Congressional gov
eminent of Chile bitterly complained Of
our unfriendliness before the Itata was
seized, and its friends have always charged
that this government has never treated
the Congress party fairly since the
troubles in Chile began. OF course,
it was Minister Egan's undenisble duty,
and that of our naval officers, to
recognize and have dealings with the
Balmacedan government, TO which Mr..
Egan was accredited, but OF course our
minister and naval officers would not be
justified as acting as spies and SYM
pathizers Of Balmaceda. If the Chilean
government Is able 10 substantiate its
charges of partially and unfairness
against Minister Egan and our naval
officers, amends should he made By the
instant recall OF these offenders, for the
United States cannot afford 10 suffer
official wrong TO be wrought Chile on
the ground that we are strong
enough to indict injustice and Chile
is too weak to resent it. A great
Christian nation can no more afford
- uphold injustice against a weak
than against strong power. If she wis hes
% preserve the respect of the decent
opinions Of mankind.
Minister Esan is an Irishnan. and
sometimes Irishmen are prone 70 be
lndiscreetiy partisan when their per-
sonal sympathies are enlisted Baima-
ceia was an able, brilliant, accomplished
man, and gifted with personal address
enough TO make warm friends when his
interest prompted him TO exert his powers
OF attraction and persuasion. 1t is quite
possible that Minister Egan's personal
friendship for Balmaceia warped his
official Judgment.