The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-01-21
THE CHILEAN REFUGEES.
MORE COMPLICATIONS ARE ARISING
WITH THE LITTLE REPUBLIC.
After Silently Allowing the Refugees to
Leave the Legations and Board the York
town All Guarantees Of Safety
Are Withdrawn.

Are Withdrawn.
VALPARAISO, Chile, Jan. 17.-Defi-
mite instructions on Friday were
cabled Montt at Washington direct
ing the withdrawal of Matta's often
sive note. 1t was presumed that
this had been done before, but it is
now known the withdrawal has not
been made. New complications arose
yesterday in regard to the Balma-
cedists who sought refuge in the
American and Spanish legations after
the fall of the dictator's government,
who were permitted to go aboard the
United States cruiser Yorktown four
days ago. Since then the Chilean
government has made no effort to
prevent the departure of refugees,
and they have been permitted to
travel unmolested from Santiago to
Valparaiso. 1t is supposed they
would get away today safely and
there would be no further embarrass-
ments growing out of the protection
granted by the American and Spanish
legations.
AT the last moment, however, the
Chilean government refused to guar
antee the safety OF the refugees while
going from the Yorktown to tho de-
parting steamer, or even agree that
the steamer upon which they took
passage would not be searched. This
decision of the Chilean government
surprised the refugees, who hoped to
get away from the restraint they have
been under for months, but it was
still greater surprise to Egan and
the officers of the Yorktown.
Egan had every reason to believe
that the Balmacedists would be I'M
molested. He had been tacitly as
sured by Pereira, the Chilean minis
ter of foreign affairs, that those to
whom he had given an asylum will
be permitted to leave Chile. Acting
upon this assurance, they purchased
passage tickets and prepared to sail.
The refusa of the Chilean authorities
to guarantee the safety of their late
foes made it unsafe for them to sail.
In order to obtain promise that
their flight would not be prevented
they offered to take any steamer sail
ing either north or south from Valpa-
raise. Under these circumstances
they did not hesitate to remain on
board the Yorktown.
Capt. Evans has cabled the navy
at Washington for in
of pIln 10 halinunH in
will be forwarded directing
that the refugees be taken to Mallen-
do, Peru, on board the Yorktown.
Whether the cruiser will be ordered
to sail before the other war ship az
rives here seems doubtful
1t is not difficult to understand the
cause of the sudden change of front on
the part of the Chilean authorities.
The cabinet no doubt was swayed by
the opinion of the various leaders of
the Conservative and Radical
parties who desire to punish |
some of the refugees, especially
who is especially
to the poIlicii us. 1ne
deprecated action of the cabinet in |
silently permitting the Balmacedis is
to leave Santiago, while not publicly
acknowledged, was fact we'll known.
Their action in permitting the refugees
TO leave Santiago and go aboard the |
combined with the uncon-
cealed desire of the Conservatives
and Radicals to gain control of most |
Of the offices, came near precipitating
= crisis the cabinet.
COMMODORE EVANS DISPATCH.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 17.-Secretary
Tracy tonight made public the follow
ing dispatch received from Commo-
lore Evans, United States steamer
now at Valparaiso, Chile,
in regard to the Balmacedist refugees
put aboard thai vessel by Egan and
jhe Spanish minister:
VALPARAISO, Chile, Jan. 6, 1902
Secretary Navy, Washington: The
American minister informs me that
lie Chilean minister of foreign affairs
las changed his mind about the
'efugees now on board the Yorktown,
md they may be taken out of any
vessel touching at Chilean
ports. Arrangements had been made
or all to sail today, but the change of
Dase on the part of the Chilean MIL
ster or Orelgn aHalrS compelS me To-
,eep them which crowds me too much. {
'hall land them at Callao, Peru. OF
lollendo, Peru? No steamers from
ere go direct to neutral territory.
his unexpected act of the Chilean
Minister OF foreign affairs is due, he
tates, in part to my saluting the I
panish minister when he came on
GARD to deliver two refugees. l have I
equested the American minister to
ny to the minister Of foreign affairs !
nat am responsible to my own gov [
and not to that of Chile in {
lch matters, and that l consider his |
riticism offensive and 1 will not ac- S
opt it. His action seems unworthy l
representative of a civilized gov c
l
[Signedl EVANS.