The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-26
THE TYRANT'S PLEA.
Balmaceda,. Dictator of Chile,
Justifies His Course.
THE MAJORITY DOES NOT RULE.
Too Much Liberty OF the Press-The Itata
to Be Surrendered TO American
warships by the Insurgents.


ter has received copy of the message of
President Bslmaceda to the congress
which convened April 20. In this he dis
cusses the rebellion of the navy, which he
speaks of as without precedent in the
naval history of Chile. He saws that dur
ing the period of three months since the
beginning of the revolution there is
not an instance of a single popular
outbreak in favor of the movement, whose
power is actually confined to the ocean.
The feet are unable to keep steady or oc-
cupy any portion of territory containing
any dense population, and in order to do
anything they have to lombard ports and
set on fire towns unfortitied, operating
against the cosmopolitan population of
Iarapaca, using hostilities of character
worse than any of those employed during
the history of Chile. The provinces of
the north are separated from the country
by the ocean, upon which the rebel feet
dominates, and by vast deserts. The
revoiutionists have succeeded in seiz-
ing them after severe, bloody
combat. Their feet has not had
strength to upset the lawful government,
but 1t has shown enough to disturb public
order, and that its leaders possess the
courage necessary to sacrifice the lives of
children and spread mlsfortunes and evils
through the country.
Speaking of his policy as president, Bal
maceda says he has tried to give the
National party participation in affairs in
proportion that could not incite jealousy.
He continues:
The Nationals refused to render me their as
sistance, although their cooperation was inn
q lesr frat A struc N
then ragged between the majority and the execu-
tive power and thought it my duty to close
congress, in the hope that q short reflection
and calm would bring the groups of the
coalition to reason. Unfortunately the evil is
done, and we have to stand the deplorable con-
sequences l was bound to assume all
necessary powers to suppress the re-
volt headed by the armed majority
OF congress, bent upon subverting public order
and the institutions of the country. The license
of the Chilean press has been carried in our day
to extremes never before reached in any other
part of the world Not only the government and
public men, but society, and even families, have
been carried In the tempest of political passion.
Yet think the law must keep sacred the right
and liberty Of every one to publish his opinion.
Few governments have had TO meet more I'M
merited aggressions or more gratuitous inculpa-
tons than these with which / have been as
sailed, but have not on that ground lost the
serenity of my spirit nor the perfect tranquility
OF my conscience. have confidence in God,
who presides over the destinies of nations.
WASHINGTON CITY, May 25.-The fact
that no word was received at the navy de-
partment today from the Charleston is
taken as an indication that she has gone
on down the Peruvian coast toward Callao
Respecting the reiterated statements
from Paris to the effect that the insurgents
have arranged to surrender the Itata
to the United Stares naval authorities
when she reaches Chile, the officials of the
navy department stand mute. 1t may be
stated, however. that there have been no
negotiations between this government and
the Chilean insurgents upon the subject.
Still it is plainly evident that some kind of
an understanding has been or is ex-
pected to be reached. which will
result in an easy transfer of the Itata
TO Admiral McCann or Admiral Brown
should she reach Chile. This of course
would not take the shape of formal
agreement, but an intimation may have
already been conveyed to our naval Off
GERS at Iquique by the insurgents that such
a course would be pursued, and doubtless
this has formed the basis of many of the
cablegrams that have passed between
Washington City and Iquique during the
last two weeks.
LONDON, May 25.-The Times correspond
ent at Coquimbo. an eyewitness of the
attack on Taltal, confirms the report of
the capture of that town.
MONTREAL, May 25.--Rear Admiral Sey-
mour, of the British navy, has arrived at
the Windsor hotel. He has for six months
been travelling in the West Indies, Central
America. California and British
Columbia. Regarding the Itata
affair, said the admiral. the Americans
are perfectly within their right in en-
deavoring to recapture the runaway
ship. They have nothing to do with
the Esmeralda, and a conflict only
arises in case she should interfere in the
capture | have fully expected tight be-
tween the warships of both nations. In
deed, under the circumstances, | hardly
see how one could be avoided. The Amer
lean navy is quite competent to deal with
the Chilean insurgents.