The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-31
ENGLISH CRITICISM.
Something Which Can Be Done Without
During the Present UnpIeasaDtness.

Something Which Can Be Done Without
During the Present UnpIeasaptness.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30.-SopIe men in the
diplomatic service and the navy regard the
attitude of the English press toward the
United States in connection with the
Chilian affair as significant. Many of the
English newspapers criticIse the United
States in demanding of Chilli redress for
the killing of the sailors The press of
London especially ridicules the action of
the United States. and encourages the posi-
ton assumed bv the Chilian authorities.
who would, if they could, say that they
didn't care o snap what the United States
does. The significance In this position of
England, if there be any significancei in 1t, lies
in the fact that the great bulk of capital
invested in Chill belongs to Englishmen,
and Great Britain controls the commerce
of Chilli. Further than this, Chilli could
not maintain q war against this or any
other formidable power for period of two
months if she stood upon her own re-
sources. The impression IS growing here
that Chill believes that, if she
should have scrimmage" with the
United States England would come
to her rescue. Such contingency
is not feared by the officials here. who feel
that England would have much more to
lose in severing her relations with the
United States than losing all che might
have In Chill, and that she would therefore
exert her influence to have Chilli remain on
O peaceful footing with the United States.
There is q great deal of talk at this mo-
ment by the Democratic press to the effect
that the attitude of the administration in
tho ChIlian affair is for lingo" that it
wants to s0lidify the ranks of Americans at
home, which means Repu ubllcan victory.
because whenever Americans are called TO
pass judgment on a question of American
ism there is but one party. 1T should be re-
membered that this trouble with Chill
began long before the pending campaigns
and was precipitsted by Chill herself, and
that she administration could not possibly
have had any ulteriOr interest or purpose.
Politics could not have entered the mind
of any one in this country at the time
the difficulty was first precipitated. The
present phase OF 1t was the result OF the
murder of American sailors on Chllian soil.
vanced by General Harrison in the CAM
paign of 1888 that United States citizens
should be secure in life and property in all
partsOf the world. That had been very
weak spot in the administration OF Presi-
dent Cleveland, and therefore General Har-
eminent for Americans.
Although few persons here who are well
informed on the subject really believe
there is even little probability of war
with Chilli, keen interest Is taken IN the
new phase of the situation. A few days
ago private information was carried to the
authorities here that Chill intended max
ing the amends honorable for the attack
upon the BnltImore's sailors at Valparaiso;
that she wanted to appear TO take firm
stand against doing so, but she would
yield. The intlmation was accepted as
equivalent to an apology in advance of q
demand for one. 1t is said that this i'm
preston had it's weight in the formation of
acting Secretary Wharton's dispatch to
Minister Egan. instructing him to demand
reparation. That dispatch was couched in
mild terms. The abrupt and almost heart
less reply was great surprise in official
circles here, as it was uncalled for and un-
timely. There is very little that can be
said of the situation aside from this. De-
velopments come by way of the cable CORE
spondence between the Department of State
and Minister Egan. One thing is quite sure
this government will not recede from the
position it has assumed In benalf of>the
life and liberties of her citizens abroad
War with Chilli could not. of course, be de-
clared without instructions from Congress.
All that could result from the affair. pend
ing congressional action. would be the
withdrawal of Minister Egan, which, it
appears now, may result soon. Should Chilli
continue to be arrogant somebody must
answer for the indiQnities heaped on the
sailors at Valparaiso, and the United
states presentation of the case cannot be
laughed out of sight by the Chilians, who,
feeling very friendly toward the United
States. The situation is interesting. be-
cause the QAestions involved arc of great
interest to every American citizen.