San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-02-04
MINISTER EGAN.
He was Popular in Chile Before the
Revolution.

He was Popular in Chile Before the
Revolution.
Some interesting evidence regard
ing Minister Egan's standing in chile
before the late revolution has been
given by George b. Birrell, OF san
Francisco, to Chrodicle reporter. Mr..
BIrrell was in Chile for nearly year
during 1889 80 negotiating contracts
for American machinery, and while
there came to know Mr.. Egan quite
intimately. What he says, as re-
suit of his personal knowledge, shows
that Mr.. Egan displayed great ability
and diplomatic skill in trying posi-
ton, and that if Mr.. Egan is not now
a persona grata to the Chilean gov
ernment it is because of general
feeling OF hostility in Chile at pres
ent TO every one and everything Amer
lean.
when went to Chile" said Mr..
Birrell, Il had a strong prejudice
against Mr.. Egan. 1 had an idea that
he was q loud. mouthed Irishman,
and I pictured him in my mind as
big rough man with q bluff and ag-
gressive manner. Very soon after l
reached Santiago 1 fell sick and was
confined to my room for nine weeks.
[ had not been in bed at my hotel
more than two days when Mr.. Egan
came to see me. He had heard
that an American gentleman was
sick there. Instead of the man
L had pictured him l saw
small, intelligent looking man,
with polished ma nners and very
pleasing address. From that day
until l was able to be about again Mr..
Egan came to see me every day, do
ing every thing possible for me and
spending on an average of two hours a
day with me for nine weeks. He did
not come for two days, and l learned
that he had Interested himself in the
case of an American machinist who
had fallen from bridge where he
was working, To ease his pain the
physician had given him opiates,
and while alone, and de
lirous frenzy he had taken
an entire phial of the drug, resulting
in his death. In accordance with
Gillian law and custom regarding
suicid es the body was to have been
thrown unceremoniously into q heap
of quicklime, but Mr.. Egna heard of
it and said No, he was an American
citizen and shall be decently buried
He interceded with the authorities,
raised money for the funeral expens-
es, going into his own pocket for the
most of il, and looked after the ar
engagements.
"I came to know Balmsceda very
WELL and became acquainted with
many government officials and lead
ing business men and others in san
tiago and Valparaiso, and travelled
through Chill from Conception to An
tofogasta, so that l bad every oppOr-
tunity to know how Mr. Egan was re-
gardt d there. / learned that when
he first arrived there was a general
strong prejudice against him, es'
pecially among the English element,
who were opposed ID him on
account of his prominence ia
connection with the Land League.
He met this feeling of prejudice every.
where on his first arrival. When l
visited Chile, less than u year late,
this prejudice had been wholly dissi-
pated. Mr.. Egan's discreet and dip
lomatlc, yet straig b forward way, his
polished manners and entertaining
personality had quite dissrmed the
prejudice that had preceded him made
him friends everywhere and com.
manded the general respect and es-
TEEN of the people of Chile. The
British minister and he became warm
friends and he was cordially re-
garded by the Chilean government.
OF course 1 am not personally &C.
quaipted with the course of affairs
since the revolution. know that Mr..
Egsn was comparatively poor, for he
had difficulty in raising money to
meet his share of an assessment of q
few thousand pounds on the stock
holders of a cracker factory in Dublin
in which he had an interest. feel
very anxious that justice should be
done to MIR. Egan, for 1 am confident
that his course has been able, discreet
and creditable."