The Forrest City times., 1892-01-22
CHILE MUST YIELD.
SHE MUST DISAvOW MATTA,s OFFENSIVE NOTE FEN RELY.
No Halfway Business VIII Re Tolerated Safe Conduct to Refugees, After Being Given, Is Now Refused-Duplicity of the Chilean Authorities.

ways yet to peaceful settlement of the Chilean question. Peace talk and war talk have their day. but Chile does not get much nearer an apology. The outlook is not so greatly improved by Minister Montt's instructions in regard to the insulting Matta letter. What is known confirms the statement that early in the week the United States gave Chile an ultimatum that the affront must be disavowed as a prelimi- nary to settling the other questions. The duplicity of the authorities at Santiago made such course necessary.
 In reply Minister Montt has been di- rected to withdraw so much of the Matta note as the United States con sidered offensive. This has not been formally done, but the tenor of his in- structions have been made known to Secretary Blaine and President Harri- son. This action is not satisfactory and cannot be accepted as complete explanation. Minister Matta said to the world that the President of the United States and his Secretary were liars. To withdraw, therefore, so
 
 considered offensive is not dsavowal of the insult, nor is it a notice to the world that the present Chilean government does not indorse the sentiments which Matta officially proclaimed.
 The short of it is that the United States will accept nothing less than complete disavowal made with the same formality and given the same publicity as the original offense. Any thing else it will treat as a subterfuge. The administra sion gives Foreign Min ister Pereira and President Montt credit for having been able to go this far and will smooth the path so that they may go to the end of the diplomatic road as easily as possible. But they must get there.
 The navy authorities here are not in fear for the refugees. Since Chile was informed that this country would hold her responsible for their safety just as for citizens of the United States there has been no grave danger that harm would come to them. 1t has been known that the Montt government was strong enough to give the necessary protection. At the same time the em- barrassments in the Cabinet at San tiago have been made known througi Minister Egan. and there was no desir, on the part of the United States to in. sist on conditions that would bring about a domestic crisis. In this as in everything else connected with tho controversy the administration while firm has been considerate.
 May Claim the BaImacedIsts. Secretary Tracy has made public the following dispatch he had received from Commander Evans of the United States steamer Yorktown now at Val paraiso, Chile, in regard to the Bal macedist refugees put aboard that yes sel by United States Minister Egan and the Spanish Minister: VALPARAISO. Chile, Jan. Is. 1s92.- Secretary of the Navy, Washington: The American Minister informs me that the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs has changed his mind about refugees now on the Yorktown, and that they may be taken out of any merchant vessel touching at a Chilean port by local authority. Arrangements had been made for all of them to sail to-day, but this change of base on the part of the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs compels me to keep them, which | crowds me very much Shall 1 land | them at Callao, Peru, or Malendo. Peru? | No steamers from here go direct to neu- tral territory. This unexpected act of the Chilean Ministers of Foreign Affairs is due, he states, in part to my saluting the Spanish Minister when he came on board to deliver two refugees. I have requested the American Minister to say to the Minister of Foreign Affairs that | l am responsible to my own govern | ment and not to that of Chile in such | matters, and that I consider his criti- | cism offensive and will not accept it. | Hisaction seems unworthy of the rep | resentative of a serious government.
 EVANS. The cablegram has intensified the | feeling in administration circles that | nothing but duplicity can be expected | from the Chilean authorities. It de- stroys the last vestige of hope that peaceful understanding can be reached.
 Commander Evans stand in notify | ing the Chilean Foreign Minister through Minister Egan that he is re- sponsible to his own government and | resents Chilean impotence is approved by the authorities in Washington. More than this, Secretary Tracy will | direct the Yorktown to proceed with the refugee to some port in safety, but it will not sail until the Boston can steam down from Callao and take its | place in Valparaiso Harbor.