Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-12-18

legation without suitable under standing
1t Is believed that the government of Chile
is not in u position, in view of the preced-
ents in which it has been connected, to
broadly deny the right of asylum and the
correspondence has not thus far presented
any such denial. The treatment of our
minister for time was such as to call for
decided protest, and it was very crafty
ing to observe that unfriendly measures,
which were undoubtedly the result of the
prevailing Excitement, were at once re.
scinded or suitably relaxed.
Valparaiso Tragedy.
On the 10th of October an event occurred
IN Valparaiso so serious and tragic in its
circumstances and results as to very Justly
excite the indignation of our people and
to call for prompt and decided action on
the part of this government A consider
able number of the sailors of the United
States ship Baltimore, then in the har-
Dor of Valparaiso, being upon short
leave and unarmed were assaulted
by. armed men nearly simultaneously
IN different localities in the city.
One petty officer was killed outright and
seven or eight seamen were seriously
wounded, one of whom has since died. So
savage and brutal was the assault that
several of our sailors received more than
two, and one as many as eight stab
wounds An investigation of the affair
was promptly made by a board of officers
OF the Baltimore, and their reports show
that these assaults were unprovolled;
that our men were conducting themselves
IN peaceful and orderly manner, and
that some of the police of the city took
part in the assault and used their weap-
ons with fatal effect, while few others
with some we'll disposed citizens, endeav-
ored to protect our men.
Thirty-slx OF our sailors were arrested
and some of them, while being taken to
prison, were cruelty beaten and NAL
treated. The fact that they were all dis
charged, no criminal charge being lodged
against any one of them, shows very
clearly that they were innocent of any
breach of the peace. So far as have yet
been able to learn no other explanation of
this bloody work has been suggested than
that it had its origin in hostility to those
men as sailors of the United States, wear
ing the uniform of their government, and
not in any individual act or personal
luminosity. The attention of the Chilean
government was at once called to this af-
fair, and statement of the facts obtained
by the investigation we had conducted
was submitted, accompanied by u request
to be advised of any other or qualifying
facts in the possession of the Chilean gov
eminent that might lend to relieve this af-
fair OF the appearance of an insult to this
government The Chilean government
was also advised that, if such qualifying
facts did not exist, this government would
confidently expect full and prompt rcpara-
ton. 1t is to be regretted that the reply
OF the secretary Of foreign affairs of the
provisional government was couched in
an offensive tone. To this no response
has been made. This government is now
awaiting the result of an investigation,
which has been conducted by the criminal
court at Valparaiso. 1t is reported I'M
officially that the investigation is about
completed, and it is expected that the re-
suit will soon be communicated to this
government, together with some adequate
and satisfactory response to the note by
which the attention of Chile was called to
this incident. If these just expectations
should be disappointed,o or further needless,
delay intervene, will, by u special mes
sage, bring this matter again to the atten-
ton of congress for such action as may be
necessary.
The entire correspondence with the
government of Chile will at an early day
be submitted TO congress.
Chinese Relations.
The late outbreak against foreigners in
various parts of the Chinese empire has
been cause of deep concern in view
of the numerous establishments of our
citizens in the interior of that country.
This government can do no less than in
sist upon a continuance of the protective
and pecunlary measures which the Chi
nese government has heretofore applied.
No effort will be omitted to protect our
citizens peaceably soiourning in China but
recent unofficial information indicates
that what was at first regarded as an out
break of mob violence against foreigners
has assumed the larger form of an insur-
rection against public order. The Chinese
government has refused to receive Mr.
Blair as the minister of the United States
on the ground that, as a participant while
senator in the enactment of the existing
Legislation against the introduction of
Chinese laborers, he has become I'M
friendly and objectionable to China. I
have felt constrained to point out to the
Chinese government the untenableness of
this position, which seems to rest as much
on the unacceptability of our legislation
as on that of the person chosen,
and which, if admitted, would practically
debar the selection of any representative
SO long the existing laws remain in
force.
You will be called upon to consider the
eXpediency OF making special provision
by law for the temporary admission of
some Chinese artisans and laborers in
connection with the exhibit of Chinese in
dustries at the approaching Columbian
exposition. L regard it as desirable that
the Chinese exhibit be facilitated in every
proper way.
Caroline Islands Tmn:le.
question has arisen with the govern
ment of Spain touching the rights of
American citzens, i'll the Caroline Islands.
Our citizens there, long prior to the con
irmation of SPANS claim TO the islands,
had secured by settlement and purchase
certain rights, to the recognition and
maintenance of which the faith of Spain
was pledged. l have had reason within
the past year very strongly to protest
against the failure to carry out this pledge
on the part of his majesty's ministers,
which has resulted in great injustice and
injury to the American residents.
SPANS Exposition.
The government and people of Spain
propose to celebrate the 4O0th anniversary
of the discovery of America by holding
an exposition at Madrid, which
will open on the 18th of September.
and continued until the 3lst of December,
1892. A cordial invitation has been ex-
tended to the United States to take part,
| and as Spain was one of the first nations
to express the intention to participate in
the Worlds Columbian exposition at Chi
cago it would be very appropriate for this
| government to give this invitation friendly
| acceptance.
Intercontinentnl Railway.
| Surveys for the connecting links of the
projected intercontinental railway are in
progress, not only in Mexico but at various
points along the course mapped out
Three surveying parties now in the
! field, under the direction of the commits
sion Nearly l.OUU miles of the propo ed