The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-02-05
Chilean Authorities Declared to BE
Guilty of objectionable Sins
Against our Citizens
WILL THE RESULT BE WARP
Congressman Generally Of the Opin'
ion That Chile Risks Great
Deal by Delay.
For Appropriate Action.

For Appropriate Action,
President Harrison, in his message to
congress upon the Chilean situation,
quotes references made to the matter in
his last annual message to congress, in
which he states that this government is
awaiting the result Of the investigation
Of the assault, He adds:
''In my opinion the time has now come
when l should lay before congress and
the country the correspondence between
this government and the government of
Chile from the time OF the breaking out
Of the revolution against Balmaceda, to-
gether with all the other facts in the
possession Of the executive department
relating to this matter. The diplomatic
correspondence is herewith transmitted,
together with some correspondence be-
tween the naval officers for q time in
command in Chilean waters, and the
secretary Of the navy, and also the evil
dence taken at the Mare Island navy yard
since the arrival Of the Baltimore at San
Francisco
EGAN AND THE REFUGEES.
1t may be just az we'll at the outset to
say that whatever may have been said IN
this country or in Chile in criticism of
Mr.. Egan, our minister at Santiago, the
true history Of this exciting period in
Chilean affairs from the outbreak OF the
revolution until this time discloses not
an act on the part of Mr., Egan unworthy
Of his position, or that could justly be
the occasion for serious animadversion
OF criticism, He has, l think, on the
whole, borne himself, in every trying
circumstance, with dignity discretion and
courage, and has conducted the CORE.
spondence with ability, courtesy and fair
ness. It. is worth while also at tho begin
ming to say that the right of Mr.. Egan to
give shelter in the legation to certain ad-
herents Of the Balmaceda government
who applied to him for asylum has not
been denied by the Chilean authorities,
nor has any demand been made for the
surrender of these refugees
All the refugees" the president de-
clares, "are now safe outside Chile. This
incident he continues, might be consid-
cred wholly closed but for the disrespect
manifested toward this government by
the close and offensive police surveillance
Of the legation premises, which has been
maintained during most of the period OF
the stay Of the refugees therein.
BEATEN FOR BEING AMERICANS.
But the most serious incident disclosed
by the correspondence is that of the at.
tack on the sailors on the Baltimore in
the streets OF Valparaiso on the 10th of
October last. We have now received
from the Chilean government an alb
Btract of the conclusion Of the fiscal
general upon the testimony taken by the
judge OF crimes in the investigation
which was made to extend over nearly
three months, l very much regret to
be compelled to say that this report does
not enable me to modify the conclusions
announced in my annual message am
still Of the opinion that our sailors were
assaulted. beaten, stabbed and killed, not
for anything they or any one Of them
had done, but for what the government
Of the United States had done, or was
charged with having done, by its civil
officers and naval commanders. If that
be the true aspect OF the case, the injury
was to the government OF the United
States, not to these poor sailors who were
assaulted in a manner 80 brutal and so
cowRrdly,
LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CASE.
Before attempting to give an outline OF
the facts upon which the conclusion
rests, think it right to say word or
two upon the legal aspects Of the case.
The Baltimore was in the harbor Of Val
paraiso by virtue of the general invita-
ton which nations are held to extend to
war vessels of other powers when they
have frienely relations This invitation
think, must be held ordinarily to em'
brace the privilege of such communica-
tion with the shore as is reasonable, nee
essary and proper for the convenience of
the officers and men of such vessels.
Captain Schley testlfies that when bis
vessel returned to Valparaiso on Septem-
Der IA. the city oficerE, rs is customary,