The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-10-31
A COwardly, Brutal. UnprovOked At.
tack Was That OF ValparaisO's
Rufiian Mob.
Police Who Should Have Protected
Innocent Visitors Assisted i'm
Beating and Stabbing
Them.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 24-Further and
persistent inquiry of officers of the gov
eminent in regard to the Valparaiso in
cident of the 10th inst. shows conclusive
ly that the administration does not re-
gard it as a simple street row for which
the Gillian government cannot be held
accountable, but as an insult to the
honor and flag of the United States call
ing for most vigorous diplomatic treat
ment. The official report of the occur
renee made by Capt. Schley of the Balti-
more, after Il careful investigation of all
the surrounding circumstances, shows
clearly not only that the assault upon
the American sailors was cOwardly and
u~nprovoked, and that it was inspired
purely by the uniform they wore and the
country it represented; or in other words
that it was not an attack upon them as
individuals but as representatives of the
United States. The report also indicates
that the local police instead of protect
ing Americans from the violence of the
mob in several instances assisted in the
onslaught. This report says it is dem
onstrated by facts that several of
the sailors were wounded by b%ayonets,
such as are usually carried by the Chill
ian police. The fact that the only per-
sons arrested were t~hirty-tive American
sailors who had escaped injury at the
hands of the mob strengthens the view
that the assault was intended as an in
suit to the United States.
Information at hand shows that so far
none of the Chilians concerned in the at
tack have been arrested and that SO far
as known no steps have been taken to
punish them in any way for their action.
The authorities at Washington are very
indignant at the apparent Indifference
displayed by the Chilian government
and Minister Egan has been instructed
to take prompt and vigorous measures to
secure proper reparation. He has been
fully advised of the position of
this government in the matter
and has been instructed to acquaint the
CHILEAN government Herewith in the
hope that the matter may be amicably
adjusted without detriment to the honor
of either country. 1t is understood the
president insists upon proper redress for
the supposed insult to our national honor,
and that unless it is given within a rea-
sonable time Minister Egan will be re-
called and all diplomatic relations with
Chill suspended.
Secretary Tracy said this afternoon
that no more vessels had been ordered to
Chill and that he did not know that any
would be sent. The Yorktown is o
on her way there and the Boston is
about to start. Neithero of them can pos
sibly reach there within a month. The
San Francisco is at Callao, only four
days sail from Valparaiso. but has not
been ordered there. Neither has another
available vessel. that is o at San Fran
cisco. Sailing 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
60 to San Francisco as soon as relieved
to be locked and overhaulcd. 1t would
seem, therefore, that the government
does not care to make any belligcrent
demonstration towards Chill. but pre-
sers for the present to show 1t displeas-
ure and possible resentment through
diplomatic channels. Specific instruc-
tiOns as to his course we're cabled to
Minister Egan yesterday. The only Off
cial message received today bearing on
the Chilian trouble was a cable message
sent by Minister Egan transmitting Capt.
Schley's report in regard to the assault
on the American sailors on the 10Th inst.
II was exactly the same as the report
made by Capt. Schlcy.