The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-13
LET Us LOOK AHEAD.

The arrest of Ricardo Trumbull, the cap
ture of the Robert and Minnie and the chase
of the Itata will at any rate convince the
world that the United States are in earnest
in their purpose to execute the neutrality
laws. 1t may prove. when Mr.. TrumbulPs
case comes up, that ne has committed no
breach of law, but the circumstances under
which he is here, considered in conjunction
with the performance Of the Robert and
Minnie and her cOnsOrt, the Itata, are sus-
piciouS and call for investigation. 1t isqnite
likely that the Itata may escape, but If Bal
maceda should suppress the revolutionary
movement he will not be able to say that
the United States gave aid and comfort to
his opponents in violation of law.
On the other band, if, as now seems
likely, the revolutionary party should over
throw him, and restore the Constitution of
1888 in full force, the new Government Of
Chile will not have ground for charging our
Government with having departed from
neutrality during the Struggle. 1t is always
difficult Tor a Government to prevent the
sympathies of its people from materialiZing
when neighbor becomes involved in war
1t was found impossible to check altogether
Fenian demonstrations in New York in 1866.
No amount OF vigilance on the part Of our
Government availed to stop filibustering eX-
peditons departing for CUBA during the
civil war on that island. Nor was the Gov
eminent able to prevent sympathizeTs with
Juarcz leaving the United States TO fight
Macmillan during the last revolutionary
contest in Mexico. On this occasion Mr..
Harrison has shown a purpose TO repreSs
with strong hand the not unnatural tendency
of adventurous Americans to take part in
the struggle for the maintenance Of repre-
sentative Government in Chile.
At the same time it would be affectatiOn
to deny that far-seeing Americans are real
ling the opportunity that is now offered
to cultivate closer relations with Chile.
That powerful republic has always been
united by closer ties TO England than to the
United States. This has been largely due
to the vast amounts of British capital that
have been invested in Chile, aud to the fire.
quent and rapid am communication be-
tween Valparaiso ana Great Britain. One
half the whole foreign trade of Chile is with
England, leaving only one-half for Germany,
France. the United States and other nations.
British influence has been so potent in Chile
that when, in 1885, an American commission
hlc4tNQ llldt Guuutl1 ~ oNSStol COMMERCIAL
reciprocity with the United States the
Chilean Government refused 30 consider the
subject alleging that Chile had nothing to
gain by such an arrangement. Last year
Chileans altered their views; their repre-
sentatiyeS in the Pan-Amercan Congress
were nspieuOUs advocates Of the closest
kind Of alliance with this country.
When the pending civil war ends one side
or the other will come off victorious, and the
victors will be largely governed in their
dealings with the United States by their
recollection of the attitude maintained by
this country during the struggle. 1t is sus-
ppcted that Balmaceda is receiving material
aid from England in the shape Of money and
arms, which are landed at BuenOs AyreS Or
Rio, and conveyed across the continent. He
cannot get anything in at Valparaiso or
other seaports, because the Congressional
party have command Of the sea. Should his
attempted coup d'etat prove successful, be
would naturally feel grateful to the power
which aided him in the struggle.
Ii is not likely that any one 10 this coun-
try will recommend a departure from neu-
trality on the part of our Government But
If the course marked out at Washington
should hamper the reyolutionists, or throw
obstacles iP their way, and they should not
witbStauding be successful in the end their
feelings would be less friendly than they
might otherwise be.