The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-11
CHILl.S SIDE MUST BE HEARD.

ChlLtS side MOSI RE n
1t is not probable that anything more
will be heard of the CHILEAN difficulty
until the full correspondence between
the countries is made public. When
the trouble is satisfactorily settled, and
we believe this will result, the detailed
history of the affair will be made known.
Several things are to be remembered un-
til this conclusion is reached. Chill had
barely reached the emo of a most disas-
trous i%nternecine war when the killing
of these sailors occurred. The final de-
feat Of Balmaceda's forces left the coun-
try in a feverish and unsettled state.
Even at this time the government holds
the reins with an uncertain grasp and
finds it an extremely difficult matter to
obtain good order in the cities. The
situation is like that in some OF our
southern cities Immediately after the
close of the rebellion, except that it is
worse by reason of the more passionate
and restless nature of the Chilians.
Under these conditions several Ameri-
can sailors are attacked and killed by
a mob of irrepressible people in the city
Of Valparaiso and, from information
gathered, it was a most atrocious and in
excusabls outrage. But all informa-
ton is not known. Did these sailors
commit acts which would afford an OK
cuse for mob violence? Did the police
in this distracted city endeavor to pro-
tect these sailors and will the new Chill
ian government promptly investigate
the whole affair? We believe the fullest
investigation will be had and will ter
inmate in an adjustment OF the difficult
ties so far as the governments are con-
cerned. With the present condition OF
affairs at least, the Chilian government
will meet us more han half way to
avoid the probability of a war which
would retard Chilian prosperity for
many years. They know better than
any one what n war with the United
states means and having gone through
the vicissitudes of one war they are
not likely to go out of their way for an
other.
Without drawing a parallel it may be
we'll to recall that not many months
have passed since the Italian govern
ment demanded reparation for tho lives
of several of her citizens killed by a mob
in New Orleans after they had been
tried for murder and acquitted by an
American jury. The dispute was set
tied in a manner satisfactory to both
governments. Furthermore, in the dis
cussion of the present difficulty it may
be also we'll to remember that in no
country on earth does mob law prevail
with such unguarded violence and with
the sanction of as many reputable peo-
pie as,in the United States. Not long
ago, in the great and prosperous city of
Omaha, a crowd Of people broke into a
Jail, snatched a criminal from his cell
and hung him over a trolley wire in a
leading street. Hardly a week passes
without a lynching in the southern or
western states. The fact that there are
honest courts where fair trials may be
had does not deter the citizens in some
parts of this enlightened republic from
assuming that they are better and
mightier than the law.
Now, then, three American citizens
have been killed in the far away city of
Valparaiso, IN a country torn to pieces
by war among her own people, and at
this time no one outside the state de-
partment knows from authority how the
affair occurred or what led to it. Until
= these matters are determined it would
be comforting t~oenjoy a respite of peace
from the war howlers.