Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-25
THE FLAG INSULTED.
Uncle Sans National Honor
Wounded.
The Valparaiso Affair Not q
Simple Street Brawl.
The Incident Calls for Vigorous Diplo-
matte Treatment.
Minister Egan Informed of the Admins
tration's Views and Instructed to
Demand Full and Speedy
ReparatiOn.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24.-l'urther per-
sistent inquiry of the officers of the gov
ernment in regard to the Valparaiso
incident shows conclusively that the
administration does not regard 1T a
simple street brawl for which the
Chilean government cannot be held re-
sponsible, but as an insult to the honor
and flag of the United States, calling
for most vigorous diplomatic treatment.
The official report by Captain Schley
shows clearly that not only was the as
sault upon the American sailors cow
ardly and unprovoked, but inspired
purely by hatred for the uniform they
wore and the country it represented; or,
in other words, it was not an attack on
them as individuals; but as representa-
tives of the United States.
POLICE ASSIST IN THE ONSLAUGHT.
Captain Schey's report also indicates
that the local police, instead Of protect
ing the Americans from the violence of
the mob, in several instances assisted in
the onslaught. This, the report says, is
demonstrated by the fact that several
sailors were wounded by bayonets, such
as are usually carried by the Chilean
police. The fact that the only persons
arrested were thilty-fve American
sailors who escaped injury at the hands
of the mob, strengthens the view that
the assault was intended as an insult to
the United States.
The information at hand shows that so
far none of the Chileans concerned in
the attack have been arrested, and so
far as known no steps have been taken
to punish them in any way for their ac-
tion. The authorities at Washington are
very indignant at the apparent indiffer
ence displayed by the Chilean govern
ment, and Minister Egan has been in
structed to take prompt and vigorous
measures to secure proper reparation.
He has been fully advised of the posi-
ton of this government and instructed
to acauaint the Chilean government
Herewith, in the hope that the matter
may be amicably adjusted without detri-
ment to the honor OF either country.
THE PRESIDENT INSISTS ON REDRESS.
1t is understood the president insists
upon proper redress for the supposed
insult to our national honor, and unless
given within a reasonable time the min
ister will be recalled and diplomatic re-
lations with Chile suspended.
Secretary Tracy said this afternoon
that no more vessels had been ordered to
Chile, and he did not know that any
would be sent. The Yorktown is now
on the way there, and the Boston is
starting. Neither can reach there with
in month. The San Francisco is at
CalIao, only four days sail from Val
paraiso, but has not been ordered there.
Neither has another available vessel, the
Thetis. now at San Francisco. The sail
ing orders of the Boston and Yorktown
were issued before the attack on the
sailors, and the main purpose of their
detail was to relieve the Baltimore and
San Francisco, which vessels are TO go to
San Francisco when relieved, to be
docked and overhauled.
1t would seem therefore that the gov
ernment does not care to make any be-
ligerent demonstration towards Chile,
but prefers to show its displeasure
through diplomatic channels.
sCHLEY's CIPHER DISPATCH.
Secretary Tracy said this morning that
further study of the cipher dispatch re-
ceived from Capt. Schley, OF the Balti-
more, Thursday, in regard to the recent
assault on American sailors at Valpa-
raiso, showed that in addition to the kill
ing of one man and the serious wound
ing of six others, thirtyfve other Amer
ican seamen were arrested and detained
by the Chilean authorities at the same
time, and they were afterwards exam
ined and dismissed, as there was no
proof that they had been guilty OF any
misbehavlor. This confirms Captain
Schley's other statement that the Amer
leans were unarmed, sober and we'll
behaved at the time of the trou-
BILE, and also indicates that at least
forty men out of 247 were the objects
of the rage of the Chilean mob. 1t also
appears now, that up to the date OF
Captain Schley's report, the authorities
| had taken no steps to arrest and punish
! the Chileans responsible for the affair,
| or, at any rate, no Chiieans had been
arrested, or that the movement of the
wheels of justice had operated in any
other direction than against Americans
TIE MATIA AFFAIR WAS DIFFERENT.
An official thoroughly familiar with
all the facts in the possession OF the
government in regard to the Valparaiso
affair, said it was altogether different il
it's material feature from the Italiar
affair at New Orleans. In the latter
case the men assaulted were domicilet
here and were practically citizens OF the
United States. At any rate they bore
no official relation to the government o
Italy. In the Valparaiso case, on the
other hand, the men attacked wore tn,
uniform of the United States government
and were attacked simply because the,
were Americans. The official said tn,
attack upon them was a deliberate in
suit to the American flag, and could b.
regarded in no other way.
THE GOVERNMENTS PLAN OF ACTION.
Secretary Tracy had an interview
with the president this morning in re
gard to the matter, but refused posi-
lively to say what plan of action ha'
been agreed upon. It's known that th
administration regards the situation a
most serious, and that the incident i
not one that can be overlooked as sim
Pile street row. While no other vessel