Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1891-12-17
strenuously insisted upon on the part of Euro

seized under process of the United States
court at San Diego, Cal, for violation Of our
neutrality laws. While in the custody of an
officer OF the court, tho vessel was forcibly
wrested from lbs control and put to sea. 1t
would have been Inconsistent with the dig
nifty and self-respect of this government not
to have insisted that the Itata should be re-
turned to San Diego, to abide the judgment of
the court. This was so clear to the junta of
the Congressional party, established at Iquf-
que, that before the arrival of the Itata at
that port, the secretary of foreign relations OF
the provisional government addressed to Rear
Admiral Brown, commanding the United
States naval forces, communication, from
which the following is an abstract
"The provisional government has learned by
the cdblegrams of the Associated Press that
the transport Itata, detained in San Diego by
order OF the United States for taking on board
munitions Of war and in possession Of the
marshal, left the port. carrying on board this
official, who was landed at point near the
coast, and then continued her voyage. 1t this
news De correct. this government would de-
plore the conduct of the Itata, and, as an evil
dence that it is not disposed to support or
agree to the infraction of the laws Of the
United States, the undersigned takes advan-
tage of the provisional relations you have been
good enough to maintain with him since your
arrival in this port to declare to you that as
soon as she is within reach of our orders,
his government will put the Itata, with the
arms and munitions she took on board at San
Diego, at the disposition of the United States"
A trial in the district court of the United
States for the southern district of California
has recently resulted in a decision holding,
among other things, that, inasmuch as tho
Congressional party has not been recognized
as q belligerent, the acts done in its interest
could not be a violation of our neutrality
laws. From this Judgment the United States
mas appealed, not that the condemnation OF
the vessel is a matter of Importance, but that
we may know what the present state of our
law Is; for, II this construction of the statute
is correct, there is obvious necessity for re-
vision and amendment.
A Disappointment.
During the progress of the war in Chilli this
government rendered its good offices to bring
about a peaceful adjustment, and it was at
one time hoped that a good result might be
reached; but in this we were disappointed.
The instructions to our naval officers and to
our minister at Santiago, from the first to the
last Of this struggle, enjoined upon them the
most impartial treatment and non-interfer-
ence. I am satisfied that these instructions
were observed, and that our representatives
were always watchful to use their influence
impartiauy, in the interest of humanity and,
on more than one occasion, did SO effectively.
We could not forget, however, that this gov
eminent was in diplomatic relations with the
then established government Of Chill, as it
is now in such relations with the successor of
that government. l am quite sure that Presi-
dent Mont, who has, under circumstances of
promise for the peace of Chill, been installed
as President Of that Republic, will not desire
that in the unfortunate event of any revolt
against his authority, the policy Of this gov
ernment should be other than that which we
have recently observed.
No official complaint Of the conduct Of our
minister or Of our naval officers during the
"a hoo hnAv, tod 10
ment; and it is matter of regret that so
many OF our own people should have given ear
to UNOFFICIAL charges and complaints that man
ifestly had their origin in rival interests and
in wish to pervert the relations of tbs United
States and Chill.
The collapse of the government Of Ba1ma-
ceda brought about condition which 49, un-
fortunately, too familiar in the history Of the
Central and South American states. With
the overthrow of the Balmaceda government,
he and many of his councillor. and officers
became at once fugitives for their lives, and
appealed TO the commanding officers Of the
foreign naval vessels in the harbor of Val
paraiso and to the resident foreign ministers
at Santiago for asylum. This asylum was
freely given, according to my Information, by
the navel vessels Of several foreign powers
and by several of the legations at Santiago.
Tho American minister, we'll as his col
leagues acting upon the impulses Of human
ity, extended asylum to political refugees
whose lives were in peril. / have not been
willing to direct the surrender Of such Of these
persons a. are still in the American legation
without suitable conditions.
The Baltim ore Incident.
On the 1eth Of October an event occurred ut
Valparaiso SO serious and tragic in ITS circum-
stances and results. as to very justly excite
the indignation Of our people, and to call for
prompt and decisive action on the part Of this
government A considerable number Of the
sailors Of the United States steamship Balti-
moro, then in the harbor of Valparaiso, being
upon shore leave and unarmed, were assaulted
bv armed mon, nearly simultaneously, in diff
ferent 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 tho as.
sault that several Of our sailors received more
than two, and one of them as many as eigh.
teon, stab wounds.
made by board Of officers of the Baltimore,
and their report shows that these assaults
woro unprovoked, that our men were conduct
ing themselves in = peaceabls and orderly
manner, and that ssme of the police Ct the
city took part in the assault, and used their
weapons with fatal effect, while = few others,
with some well-disposed citizens, endeavored
to protect our men. Thirty-six 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 al dis
charged, no criminal charge being lodged
against any ono Of them, shows very clearly
that thoy were innocent Of any breach of the
peace.
So far As I have yet been able to learn no
other explanation of this bloody work has been
suggested than that it had its origin in hos
Utility to these men sailors of the United
States, wearing tho uniform of their govern
ment, and not in any individual act or personal
animosity. The attention Of the Chilean gov
eminent was at once called to this affair, and
. statement Of the facts obtained by the in
vestigation we had conducted was submitted,
accompanied by request to be advised of any
other or qualifying facts in the possession of
tho Gillian government that might tend to 70
lieve this affair of the appearance of an in.
suit to this government The Chilean gov
eminent was also advised that If such quail
flying facts did not exist this government
would confidently expect full and prompt re-
paration.
1t is to be regretted that the reply Of the Sec
rotary for foreign affairs of the provisional
government was couched in an offensive tone.
To this no response has been made. This gov
eminent is now awaiting the result of an in
vestigation which has been conducted by the
criminal court at Valparaiso. 1t Is reported,
unofficially, that the investigation is about
completed, and it is expected that the result