St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-26

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-The specia
message OF the president concludes as
follows:
In submitting these papers to congress for
that grave and patriotic consideration which
the questions involved demand, / desire to
say that am of the opinion that the dem lnds
made On Chill by this government should be
adhered TO and enforced. If the dignity, as
well as the prestige and il fluo nee, of the
United States are not to be wholly sacrifice
we must protect those who in foreign ports
display the flag and wear the colors of this
government against insult, brutality and
death inflicted in resentment of the acts of
this government, and not for any fault of
their own: II has been my desire in every
way to cultivate friendly and intimate rela-
tons with all the governments of this hemis-
phere. We do not covet their territory; we
desire their peace and prosperity. We look
forno advantage in our relations with them
except the increased exchanges of COM
merce upon basis of mutual benefit. We
regret every civil contest that disturbs their
peace and paralizes their development, and
are always ready to give our good offices for
the restoration of peace. 1t must, however,
be understood that this government while
exercising this utmost forbearance towards
weaker powers will extend its strong and
adequate protection to its citizens, to its
officers and to it's humblest sailor when
made the victims of wdntonness and cruelty
i'll resentment. not OF their personal miscon-
duct, but of the official acts of their govern
ment.
Upon information received that Patrick
Shields an Irishman, and probably British
subject but at the time a fireman of the
American steamer keweena in the harbor of
valparaiso for repairs, had been subjected to
personal injuries in that city, largely by the
police, L directed the attorney general to
cause the evidence of the officers and the
crew OF that vessel to be taken upon it's ar
rival in San Francisco, and this testimony is
also herewith transmitted. The brutality and
even savagery of the treatment of these poor
men by the Gillian police would be incredi-
bic If the evidence of Shields was not sup
ported by other direct testimony. and by the
distressing condition OF the man himself
when he was finally able to reach his vessel
The captain of the vessel says: He came
back wreck; black from his neck to his
nips, beaten, weak and stupid. and is still in
paralyZed condition, ard he has never been
able to do duty SINCE A cl aim for repara-
ton has been made in behalf of this man, for
while he was not a citizen of the United
states. the doctrines so long held and ex-
pressed in the consular regulations are: THE
principles which are maintained by this gov
eminent i'll regard to the protection as dis
tnguished from the relief of seamen are well
settled. 1t is held that the circumstance
that the vessel is American is evidence that
regularly decumented merchant vessel the
crew will find their protection in the flag that
covers them
/ have as yet received no reply to our note
of the 21st inst, but in my opinion l ought
not to delay longer to bring these matters to
the attention of congress for such action as
may be deemed appropriate.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion Jan. %. 1892.