Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-12-12

THE ITATA INCIDENT.


ary last was continued. but fortunately with
infrequent and not important armed collisions,
until August g, when the congressional forces
landed near Valparaiso and after n bloody en-.
gngement, captured the city. President Bal
mnccdn ut once recognized that his cause was
SS as nas
minister was promptly directed TO recognize
and put himself In communication with this
government us soon as IL shonld have egtab.
iished Its de faoto character. which was done.
During the pendency OF this civil contest
frequent indirect appeals were made to
rights to the insurgents and to give
audience to their representatives. This
was declined and that policy was pursued
wrenched by civil war so strenuously insisted
upon on the part of European nations. The
ltata, m armed vessel commanded by q naval
ohcer OF the insurgent fleet, manned by its
sailors, and with soldiers or board, was seized
under process of the United States court ut
San Diego, Cal, for violation OF our neutral,
ity laws While II. the custody of an officer OF
the court tho vessel was forcibly wrested from
his control, and put to sea. 1t would have been
inconsistent on, with the dignity and selfrespect
Itata should be returned to San Diego to abide
the Judgment OF the court. This was so clear
to the junta OF the congressional party, estab
lished at 1qutQue, that before the arrival OF the
1tata at that port the secretary OF foreign re-
lations OF the provisional government decided
toread Admiral Brown commanding the United
Siates navnl forces, communication from
which the following Is an extract:
"The provisional government has learned by
the cubiegrams of the Associated Press that the
transport Itata detained in San Diego by order
OF the United States for taking on board muni.
tions OF war and in possession OF the marshall
lett the port. carrying on board this official
who was landed ut point near the coast and
then continued her voyage II this
news be correct this government would deplore
the conduct OF the ltnta nnd as an evidence
that IL Is not disposed to support or agree to
the infraction OF the laws Of the United States,
the undersigned takes advantage OF the per
ral lnfi ynt,h hnyp hga n N
maintain with him since your arrival in this
port to declare to you that us soon as she Is
within reach OF our orders his government win
put the ltata. with the arms and munitions she
took on board at San Diego, ut the disposition
OF the United States"
A trial in the district court of the United
States, for the southern district of California
has recently resulted in u decision holding,
| among other things, that, inasmuch as the Con
gressional party had not been recognized as q
belligcrant, the acts done in its interest could
| not be u violation of our neutrality laws. From
this judgment the United States has appealed
not that the condemnation OF the vessel is u
matter OF Importance, but that we may know
what the present state OF our law Isl for, II this
construction OF the statute Is correct, there is
obvious necessity for revision and amendment.
During the progress OF the war in Chile this
COVE nment rendered its good offices to bring
about peaceful adjustment, and II was at one
time hoped that good result might be
| reacheu. but in this we were disappointed.
The instructions to our naval officers and to
our minister at Santiago, from the first to the
most impartial treatment and absolute non
interference. [ am satisfied that these instruc-
tions were observed, that our representatives
were always watchful to use their influence
impartially In the interest OF humanity and. on
more than one occasion, did so effectively. We
could not forget however, that this govern
ment was in diplomatic relations with the
then established government of Chile as IL Is
now in such relations with the successor OF
that government am quito sure that Presi-
dent Montt who has. under circumstances OF
promise for the peace of Chile been installed as
president of that republic, will not desire that
in the unfortunate event of any revolt against
his authority the policy of this government
should be other than that which We have re-
Gently observed No official complaint of the
conduct of our minister or of our naval officers
during the struggle mas been presented to this
government. anu 1t is II matter OF regret that
so many of our own people should have given
ear to unofi ill charges and complai ints that
| manifestly had their origin in rival interests
| and in u wish to pervert the relations
| of the United States with Chile.
THE COLLAPSE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BAL
| MACEDA
brought about a condition which is subordinate
| ly too familiar in the history OF the
| Central and South American states With the
overthrow OF the Balmaceda government he
| and many OF his councillors and officers became
| Mt once 1ugitlves for their lives and appealed 70
| the commanding officers OF the foreign naval
| vessels in the harbor of Valparaiso and to the
resident foreign ministers at Santiago fol-
| asylum. This asylum was freely given, accord
| ing to my information. by the naval vessels Of
l
| legations at Santiago. The American minister
| as well as his colleagues, acting upon the
| impulses OF humanity extended asylum to
| political refugees whose lives were IN peril
| have not been willing to direct the surrender o.
| such OF these prisoners AZ are still In the Amer
can legation without suitable conditions. Il
Is believed that the government OF Chile Is moi
| in q position, in view Of the precedents with
| which il has been connected, to broadly deny
| the right of asylum, and the correspondence,
| has not thus far presented any such den al
| The treatment OF our minister for u time wa!
| such as to call for a decided protest, and II wa
very gratifying to observe that untriendl.
measures, which were undoubtedly the resul
of the prevailing excitement, were at once re
| sctnded or suitably relaxed.
THE ASSAULT ON AMERICAN SAILORS AT VA
PARAlSo.
On the 10th OF October an event occurred Il
Valparaiso so serious and tragic IN its circum
stances and results as to very justly excite th
Indignation OF our people and to call for promp
and decided action on the part OF lis govern
ment. A considerable number OF the sailors o
the United States steamship Baltimore. thel
In the harbor OF Valparaiso, being upon shor
leave and unarmed, were assaulted by arme
men nearly simultaneously in different lUcali
ties in the city. One petty officer wa
killed outright and seven or eight sea
whom has since died So savage and brutu
was the assault that several or our sailor
received more than two, and one as many q
affair was promptly made by q board of nicer
of the Baltimore. and their report shows tina
| these assaults were unprovOked that our me
were conducting themselves in a peaceable an
orderly manner, and that some of the police G
the city took part in the assault and used thei
weapons with fatal effect. while few other
endeayored to protect our men, Thirty six G
our sailors were arrested ard some of then
while being taken to prison. were cruell
beaten and ma treated. The fact that tho
were all discharged, no criminal charge be n
lodged against any one OF them. shows YER
clearly that they were innocent OF any breac
OF the peace. So far as j have bee
able to learn no other explanation OF thi
bloody work has been suggested than that it ha
its origin in hostility TO these men as sailors G
the United States, wearing the uniform OF thei
government and not in any individual act O
personal animosity. The attention of tn
Chilean government was at once called TO thi
AFFAIR. and statement of the facts obtained b
the investigation we had conducted was sui
;nitted, accompanied by request to be advise
OF any other or qualifying facts in the posses
sion of the Chilean government that might ten
to relieve this affair OF the appearance of an II
suit to this government. The Chilean govern
ment was also advised that II such qualify
ing facts did not exist this government
would confidently expect full and promp
reparation. IL is To be regretted tina
the reply OF the secretary for foreign affair
. of the provisional government was couchel 1
! an offensive tone To this no response has bee
made. This government is now awaiting tn