Omaha daily bee., 1892-01-26
THE MESSAGE.
President Harrison Fully Explains the
situation to Congress.

President Harrison Fully Explains the
situation to Congress.
WAsHrSGToN, d. c., Jan. 25.-President
Harrison, IN his message to congress upon
the Chilian situation, quotes references
made to the matter In his last annual
message to congress, In which he states that
this government is awaiting the result OF the
investigation of the assault He adds:
an my opinion the time has now come
when l should lay before congress and the
country the correspondence between this
government and the government of Chill
from the time of the breaking out of the rev
olutionaganst Balmacoda, together with all
the other facts In the possession Of the ex-
ecutlve department relating to this
matter. The diplomatic correspon-
dence is herewith transmitted, to-
gether with some correspo pondence between
the naval officers for q time IN command in
Chlliau waters and the secretary of the
navy, and also tho evidence taken at the
Mare Island navy yard since the arrival Of
the Baltimore at San Francisco.
Egan's Course Upheld.
at may be well at the outset to say that,
whatever may have been said in this coun-
try or in Chill in criticism of Mr.. Egan, our
minister at Santiago, the true history of this
exciting period in Chiian affairs from the
outbreak of the revolution until this time
discloses not an act on tho part of MIR. Egan
unworthy OF his position. or that could justly
| be the occasion for serious animad-
version or criticism. He has. l
think, on the whole, borne himself
in very trying circumstances with dignity
| discretion and courage, and has conducted the
| correspondence with ability, courtesy and
| fairness. 1t is worth while also at the begin
| ming to say that the right Of MIR. Egan to
| give shelter in the legation to Ger
| tain adherents of the Balmaceda gov
| ernment who applied to him for
asylum has not been denied by the Chilan
authorities. nor has any demand been made
for the surrender of those refugees
All the refugees, tho president declares,
| are now safe outside Chill. "This incident"
he continues, "might be considered wholly
closed but for the disrespect manifested to-
ward this government by the close and Of
iensive police surveillance of the legation
premises, which has been maintained during
most of the period of the stay of the refugees
therein.
Assaulted for the Colors They Wore.
"But the most serious incident disclosed
| by the CORES pondence is that Of the attack
| on the sailors Of the Baltimore in the streets
| of Valparaiso on the 10th of October last.
| We have now received from the Chilian gov
ernmeut an abstract of the conclusion of the
| fiscal general upon the testimony taken by
| the Judge of crimes in the investigation
which was make to extend over nearly three
months l very much regret to be compelled
TO say that this report does not ena-
BILE me to modify the conclusions
announced In my annual message. l am
| still Of the opinion that our sailors were as
| saulted, beaten, stabbed and killed, not for
| anything they or any ons of them had done,
but for what the government of the United
States mad done, or was charged with hav-
| ing done, by its civil officers and naval COM
manders. If that be the true aspect of the
| case, the injury was to the government of
the United States, not to these poor sailors
| who were assaulted in manner so brutal
and so cowardly.
misunderstanding to give an outline of the
facts upon which this CONCLUSION rests, /
| think it right to say word or two upon the
| legal aspect of tho case.
| "The Baltimore was iii the harbor OF Valpar-
also by virtue of that general invitation which
nations are held to extend to war vessels of
| other powers when they have friendly rela-
tions This invitation, think, must be held
! ordinarily to embrace the privilege of such
| communication with the shore as is reason.
| able, necessary and proper for tho conven- -
] ence of the officers aud men of such ves.
! sells Captain Schley testifies that when
his vessel returned to Valparaiso on
| September "a, the city officers,
MS is customary, extended the hospitalilies
| of the city to his officers and crew.
| International Rights Involved.
at Is not claimed that every personal col
| hsion or injury in whicn a sailor or oficer OF
| such a naval vessel visiting shore may be
| involved raises an international question, but
| am clearly of the opinion where such sailors
| or officers are assaulted by the resident pop.
| ulace, animated by hostlities TO The govern
| ment whose uniform these sailors
and officers wear, aud in resent
| nent of acts, done by their govern
ment, not by them, their nation must
take notice of the event as one involving an
infraciion of its rights and dignity: not in a
secondary way, as whore a citizen is injured
and presents his claim through his own
government but in primary way,
| precisely as minister or consul OF
tho flag itself may be the object OF the same
character of assault. The officers and sailors
of the Baltimore wers in tho haroor of
Valparaiso under the orders of their govern
ment, not by their own choice. Ihey
were upon shore by tho i'm.
piled invitation of the govern ment
OF Chill and with the approval OF
their commanding officer, and it does not dis.
tinguish their case from tnat of consul that
] his stay Is more permanent or that he holds
I an express invitation from the local govern.
ment TO justify his longer residence. Nor
does IL affect the question whether the injury
was the act of a moO. II thero had been no
participation by tho police or military in this
cruel work, and no neglect on their part 10
extend protection, the case would still DO one,
in my opinion, where its extent aud character
is considered, Involving International rights. "
He reviews at some length the story OF