The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-11-05
No Cause for Alarm.

ND CAuSc lOT AiuTms
The public is advised by the Ciereland
Leader to feel no alarm over the Chilian
situa,ion, notwithstanding the bluster
manifested in some quarters. While
the United States undoubtedly has great
-cause for offense and Chill seems dis
posed to be unsatisfactory and even de-
4iant in her replies to our demands,
there is little donbt but that in the end
everything will be settled satisfactorily
without any appeal to force.
The reasons for this view are go clear
that no one can easily dispute them.
There is nothing to be gained, in the
the first place, by our bullying nation
with population less than two-thirds
that of Ohio and with recources which
in no sense compare with those of the
Buckeye State. Even if the administra.
tion were disposed to adopt jingo
policy it would have little excuse or oc-
casion for it in this case and could win
neither national glory nor commercial
advantage by doing 30.
Aside from that, in the circumstances
OF the case are two very weighty reasons
why the United States should pursue
q moderate course. Two of our repre-
sentatives, Admiral Brown and Minister
EgaB, we're extremely indiscreet during
the Chilian civil war. Brown is said to
have used his position as a neutral to
spy upon the landing of the Junta's force
at .Quintero Bay for Balmaceda, and
Egan did all in his power to advance the
cause of Balmaceda. 1t is, therefore,
not surprising that the present Chilian
government should feel harshly disposed
toward US and be inclined to do rs little
as possible in the cause IN question.
The administration is wise in moving
slowly, because the present government
il provisional and does not represent
Chill as would one elected by popular
vote. After the discreet expression of
our position already made, therefore, it
will be wise not to push matters until
elections now pending in Chill are over
and regularly constituted representa-
tive government has taken control of her
affairs.
So far as the outrageous offense itself
is concerned it was unquestionably an
act Of lawlessness, for which we are en-.
titled to full reparation. The attack
upon the seamen from the Baltimore
was inspired by no act of theirs, and was
utterly indefensible and inexcusable.
They were peacibly going about their
business, neither violating the laws of
the country nor interfering with anyone.
They wore the uniform of the United
States Navy and an attack upon them
was manifestation of hostility to the
United States and serious affront to
the nation. 1t is not comparable with
TIE New Orleans case in any respect.
The Italians there were residents on trial
for grave crimes, while the American
sailors at Valparaiso were strangers who
in no way injured anyone. Under in
ternational law we have an undoubted
right to demand apologies and indemni.
ty of Chill for the outrage and to expect
that she will willingly grant our demand
~ soon as investigation has definitely
determined the points at issue.
If Chill should not do SO the admins
tration would be justified in making a
national demonstration against her, but
we have little fear that it will come to
pass. The administration is conducting
the affair in moderate, reasonable and
dignified manner and will, in due time,
doubtless bring it to successful issue.
Why would it not be well for the ad.
to investigate the reports
Admiral Brown and Minister
Egan ? for it is from their course the
people of Chilli have right to Judge the
OF our people.