The morning call., 1891-11-13

columns OF accounts of ''the outrag geous
crimes" of the Balmacedan administration.
The correspondent asserts that many OF the
defeated soldiers of Balmaceda were slaugh-
tered on the field at Placllas after they had
been disabled BY wounds. High officials
disclaim responsibility for these actions and
for sacklng the houses in Santiago. The
destruction in Santiago was enormous. The
most magnificent residences in the city be-
longing to members of Balmaceia's party
were entered and everything they contained
demolished. Doors and windows were
broken out and nothing was left but the
bare walls. Persons charged with having
performed criminal acts under Balmaceda's
administration have suffered confScaton of
property.
EGAN's ACTIONS INDORSED.
In a letter under date OF October 18th the
spondent says: Among the Americans
in Chile, or at least those VINO enjoy the re-
spect of The community in which they live,
there IS not to be found one who expresses
any sympathy with the charges made against
Egan here and in a section of the American
press. Egan's policy, he says, has been one
calculated to advance American interests in
Chile. Without any attempt at secrecy, he
endeayored TO make arrangements with the
Chilean Government, then represented by
Balmaceda, by which induCement would be
offered for American capital to become in
tefeSted III the valuable nitrate property in
the northern part of the country. This
enterprise had hitherto been, and still IS
controlled almost exclusively by the En-
glsh. This was the chief of the
improper contracts" with the Balmaceda
Government which Egan is accused of max
ing. The most he could have obtained and
the most lie had any intention Of obtaining
was share OF the nitrate business for
Americans who might care 10 enlist III the
enterprise. But there was hardly an Eu-
glishman in all Chile who did not regard
these efforts on the part Of the Americln
Minister as a direct menace to English in
terests, ana there has hardly been an En-
gllshman in Chile since that time who has
not contributed his share to the general
outcTy against Egan and all Americans.
Minister Egan also endeav0red to agitate
the establishment Of an American steamship
line on the west coast Of South America and
was instrumental in having the American
cable-lines extended to Valparaiso. lie IN
dertook other measures OF a similar nature,
and in all these efforts to advance the int r
estS OF his country he met the same ouposi-
ton and same criticism.
DEMANDS OF THE INSURGENTS,
All this occurred before the revolution in
Chile began. AT that time many Americans
declared themselves, more or less openly,
In favor of the revolutiOnists Egan did not
do so, for the very good reason he was ac-
credited To the Government headed by BAL
maceda The insurgents, however, at all
times admitted bat one principle, and that
was tuaJ persons VINO ulQ not declare openly
in their favor must be opposed. When the
ltata was seized the English residents start
ed the charge that Egan was responsible, al
though he knew nothing about it beyond
what he read in the Chilean newspapers.
The correspondent says Egan was never
accused of visiting Balmaceda or the repre-
sentatiyes of his Government and after
ward declaring openly in favor If the Imsur-
gents and expressing the hope that they
would win. On the contrary, Kennedy, the
British Minister, and other foreign diplo.
mates expressed loud opinions in favor CT
the insurgents. EIan courts the fullest in-
vtstigation as to lis neutrality during the
whole progress of tie war, and sCme of the
most prominent men Of the Congressional
party now do not hesi a.e to declare that his
position was one of strict neutrality.
The English residents and the English
| Minister, however, continue to circulate
annoying rumOrs about Egan, ami keep be-
fore the public the insulting insinuations
which are entirely without foundation,
tue English Minister himself being criticized
for having secured for Balmaceda a British
man-of-war IN which TO send verai mill
ions in silver out of the country. At the
date OF the letter the Provisional Cavern
ment had acknowledged that the United
States Minister OF War was acting right in
giving the refugees asylum, ana it is be-
lieved that safe conduct will ultimately be
issued. A letter was printed in San
tiago paper from Frank Egan, son of
the Minister, dealing at length with the inn u
endOes dealt in by certain 4 American papers
and refuting charges brought against him.
self and his father in the matter of paying
contracts etc.