New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-25
THE GILLIAN CRISIS.

A crisis i'm the Nations foreign relations has been
| reached Chill has been called upon to apologize
| for the murderous assault upon the Baltimore
men. to make reparation for the lives ana injuries
of the sailors, and TO withdraw the insulting CIR
cular sent by Minister Malta to the Embassies i'll
the United States and Europe. The President
Message and the diplomatic correspondence 10 De
submitted to Congress to-day will explain III de-
tail the events which have involved this Crisis
Int the text of Minister Mattas Instructions pub
lished on Friday, suf1iceS to justify the acton OF
the.Administration in presenting an ultimatum.
The insoence with which insults were heaped
mon the President, the Secretary Of the Navy
and the diplomatic and naval representatives
rendered the continuance of diplomatic inter
course clearly impracticable. II the Gillian Uov-
ernment, after allowing its Foreign Minister 70
make so unprovoled an assault upon the ADMIN
istration and its representatives,, has suggested
the withdrawal of Minister Egan-and the dis
patches are not quite clear on this polnt-there
was only one course open to the President. That
was to present the demands of the United States
and to lay the whole question before Congress.
Minister Matta'S instructions were so offensive
in form and contemptuolls in tone that 1t IS re-
markable that crisis was not produced in Deem
Der. The fact that negotiations have been pro-
longcd after so fragrant violation OF all inter-
national precedents and usages is an unernnS IN
dcation of the earnest desire of the Admlnlsra-
tion to exhaust its diplomatic resources IN pre-
venting rupture of friendly relations with ChllI.
We doubt if any European maritime Power would
have deferred decisive action week after week
when so wantun an affrOnt to its dignity had
been offered The Administration, instead of
adopting bullying attitude and a menacing tone
toward Chill as a few scatterbraln paitlsans IN
opposition have intimated that it has done, has
shown singular patience, long -sIliie nng ana sell
restraint in waiting or-sgnS OF return OF rea-
son in Santiago. Minister Mattas circular was
utterly indefensible. It's withdrawal is impera-
lively required if diplomatic relations with Chill
are to be maintained If the attack upon the
Baltimoe's men was an affront to the United
States, the Minister'S circular was another, more
wanton and mole deliberate
The obvious result of refusal on the part OF
Chill to respond satisfactorily TO the demands
made upon it will be a prompt cessation OF
Diplomatic relations. Minister Egan will naturally
abandon his post, and his example may he fol-
lowed speedily by Minister Montt who was be-
fiiended by him in Santiago under critical cilcum-
stances last summer and conducted i'll safety 10
foreign man-of-war. The suspension of diplo-
matte relations will undoubtedly be accompanied
by attempts on the part of friendly Powers TO
mediate between the two countries. War Is
seldom declared without diplomatic interval. in
which peacemakers intervene TO prevent h0stll-
ties The crisis is evidently most serious one.
With the publication of the diplomatic cor
of LIGHT will lao fbIn,yu
all questions now imperfecty understood, both
in the United States and i'll Europe. We doubt
not that it will reveal panstaking and strenuous
endeavors on the part of the Administration to
maintain peace without sacrifice OF National honor
Peace with dishonor Americans do not want, alb
honent as the barbariSm of war may be to them.