Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-15

Opinions Expressed by an American Who
Has Lived There Fourteen Years


Has Lived There Fourteen Years.
"Chile has no illfeeling against America or
American people" said Mr.. Ira H. La Fetra to
" STAR reporter today. Mr.. la Fetra, who is a
citizen Of tho United States and a brother of
DR.. Geo. H. La Fetrs Of this city, arrived here
yesterday afternoon direct from Santiago. He
IS ut the Frcdonia.
"of course. there has been little friction. ~
Continued MIR. La Fetra "but it was never
more than local IL commenced with the Itata
afnir, grew when the cable was cut at Iquiuuo,
increased with Admiral Browns maneuver-
in8s ut Quinteros and eliminated in the brawl
at valparaiso. The baltimore trouble like all
such affairs, had its origin in a drinking ss,-
loon, and but Tor the temporary irritation
would not have been serious. Troubles OF In; I
Kind are OF constant occurrence; the yaIpa-
ralso police court deals with them nearly overv
ua!. 1t causes to which have referred had
inh"lhea the minds OF many Chleans of the
lower Glass ana as soon as tine row got started
an opportunity Was afforded such persons to
Illegally and Improperly vent their passions
TIesiu(hi Harrison t.id not err when he AS
serted that the assault vas made upon the
men because they wore the uniform of the
United States.
OiAAh AMERICANS WERE NOT DISTURBED.
Inc 'hliean sentiment was some what wal IN
on the subject. but it was directed generally
against the administration OF the United
states ana especially against the navy
Throughout this whole affair there has been
~ ihterfuphon OF Tie very cordial relations
"hicn have always existed between Chiieans
anu the American colony Ill Chile. here are
not more than forty Americans in Santiago
put there are many Ill Valparaiso in Chic
.neie are probably about eighteen hundred
citizens Of the United States. At 10 time was
there any disturbance of our social relations
THEY STAND BY EGAN.
What do we Americans in Chile think of
Minister Egan? / cannot better express our
opinion than in the language of q fellow
American whom met on the way up from VAL
paralso: Mr.. ESan has done nothing whatever
since he has been in Chile OF which we are
ashamed or need to be ashamed Is that
speclhc enough? l have lived Ill Chile for
fourteen years, and can say that MIR. Egan has
uone more 10 advance American interests than
any other minister the United States has sent
mere during my residence at the Chilean capi-
,ai Ihere Is no discount OH his ability
For awhile the feeling against him
was quite strong, but that has almost entirely
vanished, and now he has the confidence of the
greater portion of the Chilean people.
Inc present government Is undoubtedly sta
Die. All danger of radical change is past and
every indication favors progress. Or course
there VIII be occasional political differences
put Tue probabilities OF their being serious
revolutionary are decidedly remote. The coun-
try Is unit In support OF the present govern
ment. President MONT is popular. He was
the soldiers candidate, but he is a liberal His
position Is the more secure because he is not
allied with either faction of the liberal party.
left Santiago before President Harrison's ulti-
matum was received, 50, of my own knowledge,
l cannot say anything as to the situation dur
ing the more exciting PERIOD but l feel sure
the Chilean people desire only the most friendly
relations with the United States"