The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1892-02-05
THE REPLY TO CHILL.

the stars and Stripes the Affair win
End - Minister Months Position - The
Question of Indemnity.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-Tn the cabi-
net meeting. yesterday, which was un-
commonly short, the Chilian matter
was discussed. 1t was decided that
Minister Egan should be instructed to
say to Senor Pareira, Chilian minister
of foreign affairs, that his reply to the
note of Secretary Blaine of the 21st
indicated desire on the part of the
Gillian government TO satisfy the
United States of it's feeling of regret
over the assault upon the sailors of the
Baltimore in Valparaiso. The replies
as to the Malta note of Decem-
Der IL, and the request for the
recall of Minister Egan, the latter will
be directed to say, are entirely salts
factory. Such being the case, the
United States will leave the matter of
reparation to the sufferers by the as
sault to Chilli to initiate according to
her sense of justice and right. And
with a salute of the United States flag,
the incident will be considered closed
by this government Until Chilli makes
some offer of reparation, of course,
there will be nothing to arbitrate, as
no points of difference exist. The offer
may be so satisfactory that arbitration
on that score will not be necessary.
At the cabinet meeting the contents
of dispatch from Minister Egan, re-
ceived Thursday, were made known.
1t is said that Mr.. Egan confirmed the
story reported from Santiago that
members of the Chilian government had
stated that Senior Montt. the Gillian
minister at Washington, had misled his
government by the advices he had dis
patched to them. which had the effect
of seriously compromising the govern
ment in their dealing with the con-
troversy.
A report was current last night that
Senior Montt had intimated his inten-
ton of leaving Washington, but it
could not be confirmed. Inquiries at
the residences of Secretary Blaine and
Senor Montt were met with the state
ment that there was nothing to say.
1t is believed that if the Chilian min
lister has not already given notice of
this intention that he soon will do so.
In diplomatic circles the opinion is
held that after the receipt of such a
letter as that addressed by the secre-
tary of state to the senior, the latter
could hardly remain persona grata, and
being aware of that fact he would
sever relations with the country. 1t
would not be necessary for Senor Montt
to wait for letter of recall from his
government Probably the government
of Chilli might not want to proceed to
that extent; he could quietly take his
departure. In some well-informed cir
cles this action by the Chilian repre-
sentative is looked for in the near
future.
The next question to come up in the
progress of the affair with Chilli is that
of indemnity to the sufferers by the as
sault upon the Baltimore sailors at
Valparaiso. In this instance, Chilli
having indicated her intention of offer
ing reparation. nothing will be done
until that offer is made. In ordinary
cases of claims against foreign govern
ments, the claimant files his petition
with the secretary of state, and states
that his government will take up
and press the matter. First the
claim is examined by the law Off
Ger of the department to determine
as to its justness, and next as to the
amount of the claim. The government
will not present or press claim which
it is not convinced is just, both as to
amount and merit. In the interna-
tional negotiations that are held over
these claims, the original claimants
lose their individuality; they become
the claims of the government, and the
government, If it RECEIVERS any money
from another power on the basis of the
claims, can not be compelled by legal
process to deliver the money to the
original claimants. The transaction is
one entirely between the governments
concerned. But the usual practice is
of course to pay the money thus OBJ
tanned to the claimant.
AS to the amount to be paid to the
relatives of Riggin and Turnbull, the
sailors who were killed, the Chilian
government may find, when it comes to
investigate the matter, that in several
states of the union, the enlightened
judgment of the people, speaking
through their legislatures, have fixed
the limit that may be recovered for
damages in the case of death at $5, 900.
In the matter of inquiry, however, the
limit of damages lies within the prov
ince of the petit jury. Patrick Shields,
the sailor on the Keweena, who was
also a victim of Chilian violence in
Valparaiso, has fled, by his attorneys,
claim for $50, 900 damages, which the
attorney asks the state department to
collect