Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-01-30
this oountr, Il seemod 70 ne that Il coula no,

this country IL seemed 10 mo that IL could not
pass without offlcial notice. 1t was not only un.
diplomatic, but grossly insulting TO our naval
directly imputed untruth md insincerity TO tho
reports OF naval officers and to the offcial COM
m ms1e m Gy n she hsn
notified the Chilean government that unless this
note Is at once Withdrawn and apology is pub
lished rs the offense Ia made / will terminate
diplomatic relations, The request for the recall
of Mr.. Egan upon the ground that he was not
persona grata was unnccompanied by any sug.
gcstion that could properly be used In support of
IT. and infer that the request is based upon
official. acts OF Mr. Egan which have received
ever tba, NAV he eohS nnt eansen, u n now
slider such question until 1t had first been set
tied whether our CORRESPONDENCE with Chile
spcct. In submitting these papers to congress
for that grave and patriotic consideration which
the questions involved demand, l desire to say
OF Chile by this government should be adhered
to and enforced. II the dignity as we'll as the
prestige and influence of the United States are
not to be wholly sacrificed we should protect
those who In foreign ports display the flag or
wear the colors OF this government against In
of the acts OF their government and not for any
fault OF their own. 1t has been desired In every
way to cultivate friendly and intimate relations
with oil the governments OF this hemisphere. We
do not covet their territory; we desire their
peace and prosperity. We look for no advan.
to p our win ae
q basis of mutual benefit We re.
grct every civil contest that disturbs their
always ready to give our good ofices for the
restoration OF peace. 1t must, however, be un-
derstood that this government, while exercising
the utmost forbearance toward weaker powers,
will extend its strength and adequate protection
to its citizens, TO its officers and to It's humblest
sailor when made the victims Of wantonness and
cruelty In resentment not Of their personal mis-
conduct, but of the official acts OF their govern
ment. "
Shields an Irshmnn and probably British
subject, but at the time fremen OF the Ameri-
can steamer Kewecnaw in the harbor OF Val
paraiso for repairs, had been subjected to per
sonal injuries In that city largely by the police
directed the attorney general to cause the
evidence of the officers and crew OF
in San Francisco, and that testimony is
also herewith transmitted. The brutality and
even savagery OF the treatment OF the seamcn
by the Chilean police would be incredible IL the
evidence OF Shields were not supported by other
direct testimony and by the distressing con-
dition OF the man himself when he was hnally
sci says "he came back wreck; black from his
neck to his hips from beating; weak and stupid,
and has never been able to do duty since"
A claim for reparaton has been made In be-
half OF this man, for, while he was not citizen
Of the United States, the doctrine held by us,
as expressed in the consular regulations, 10
"the principle which are maintained by this
government in regard to the protection, rs dis.
tinguished from the relief of seamen, are well
settled 1t is held that the = ''cumstance that
the vessel is American is e,.dence that the
scamen on board are such, and in every regu-
larly documcnted merchant vessel the crew
VIII lind their protection in the flag that covers
them"
1 have as yet received no reply to our noto
OF the 2lst instant, but in my opinion I ought
not to delay longer il bringing these matters to
the attention OF congress for such action az
may be deemed appropriate.
(Signed) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, January -. 1897