Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-26

consideration of all the evidence and Of
every suggestion affecting this matter. and
to these conclusions / adhere. They were
as follows:
First. That the assault IL not relieved
of the aspect which early information OF
the event gave 20 it-viz.. that of an at.
tack upon the uniform of the United
States navy, having its origin and motive
IN a feeling OF hostility TO this Government
and not IN any act OF the sailors or OF any
of them.
Second. That the public authorities OF
Valparaiso t,agrantly failed in their duty
to protect our men, and that some OF the
police and of the Chilean soldiers and
sailors were themselves guilty. OF unpro,
voked assaults upon our sailors before ana
after the arrest. He (the Presidentl thinks
the preponderance of evidence and the IN
herent probabilities lead TO the conclusion
that Risgin was killed by police or SOL
diers.
Third. That he (the President) Is there
fore compelled 20 bring the case back 70
the position taken 10y this Government IN
the note OF Mr.. Wharton of October 80
last. and q ask for suitable apology and
for some adequate reparation Tor the IN
jury done this Government.
sArrA's OFFENSIVE NOTE.
In the .slme note the attention OF the
Chilean Government was called TO the
offensive character of the note addressed
by Mr. Malta. its Minister OF Foreign
Affairs, 10 Mr.. Montt. ITS Minister at this
capital, on the llth ultimo. This us
patch was not officially communicated 10
this Government, but as Alr. Montt was
directed to translate 1t and TO give IL 70
the press of this country II seemed 70 me
that II could not pass without Official no.
tice. Ii was not only undiplomatic, but
grossly insulting 10 our naval officers aud
to the Executive Department, gs 1t d.
rectly imputed untruth and insincerity 20
the reports of the naval officers and to the
official communications made by the
Executive Department to Congress
THE APOLOGY DEMANDED.
II will be observed that have notified
the Chilean Government that unless this
ote ls at once withdrawn and an apology
as public as the offence is made will ter
inmate diplomatic relations. The request
for the recall of Mr.. Egan upon the ground
that ne was not persona grdid was unaccom-
panied by any suggestion that could pro-
perly be used in support of II. and infer
that the request is based upon official acts
OF bIr. Egan which have received the ap-
proyal of this Government. But however
that NAV be. could not consent to con-
slider such question until II had first been
settled whether our correspondence with
Chile could be conducted upon basis OF
mutual respect
OUR DEMANDS SHOULD DE ENFORCED.
In submitting these papers TO Congress
for that grave and patriotic consideration
which the questions involved demand. /
desire 20 say that am Of opinion that the
demands made of Chile by this Govern.
ment should be adhered TO and enforced
If the dignity az well as the prestige and
influence OF the United States are not 20
be wholly sacrificed. We must protect
those who in foreign ports display the flag
or wear the cOlOrs of this Government
against insult, brutality, and death in.
fiicted in resentment of the acts OF their
Government and not for auy fault OF their
own. IT has been my desire in every way
to cultivate friendly and intimate re!a.
iions with all the governments OF this
| hemisphere. We do not cOyet their terri
tory. We desire their peace and pros
perty We look for no advantage in our
relations with them except increased ex-
changes of commerce upon the basis OF
mutual benefit. We regret eyery evil
contest that disturbs their peace and para.
| Ives their development, and are always
| ready 70 give our good offices for the
restoration OF peace. 1t must. however,
| be understood that this Government,
while exercising the utmost forbearaDce
towards weaker powers, will extend strong
and adequate protection 20 Its citizens, 20
It's officers. and TO its humblest sailor
| when made the victims Of wantonness and
cruelty in resentment, not Of their per.
| s0nal misconduct, but of the official acts
| of their Government.
IHE SHIELDS CASE.
Upon information received that Patrich
| Shields, an Irlshman and probably a British
| subject, but at the time fireman OF the
American steamer keeweenaw. IN the har
Dor of Valparaiso for repairs. had beer
| subjected TO personal injuries IN that city -
| largely by policemen-I directed the AT
| torney- General 70 cause the evidence o.
| the officers and crew of that vessel 10 h'
| taken upon its arrival in San Francisco
! and that testimony is also herewith trans
mitted. The brutality and even savagerl
of the treatment OF this poor man by th'
! Chilean police would bc incredible II tn'
| evidence of Shields was not supported b.
other direct testimony and by the distress
| ING condition of the man himself when h,
was finally able to reach his vessel. Ih,
| captain OF the vessel says " lie came baci
| a wreck black from his neck TO his hip
| from beating, weak aud stupid, and stil
| i'm kind OF paralyzed condition. and h'
! mas never been able 20 do duty SINCE
A claim for reuaration has been made IL
behalf Of this man, for while he was not {
citizen Of the United States. the doctrine
long held by the United States, as ex
pressed in the consular regulations. IL
''The principles which are maintained bl
! this Government iii regard 10 the protec
| ton. es distinguished from the relief. Of sea
| men are well settled. 10 held that the cir
/ cumstance that the vessel IS American IS evi
| dence that the seainen on board are such,
/ and in every regularly documented mer.
chant vessel the crew will find their pro-
/ lection III the dag that covers them"
! / have as yet received no reply 10 ou'
! note Of the zlst instant. but IN my opinion
| ought not to delay longer to bring these
matters to the attention of Congress fOl
| such action as may be deemed appropriate
lSIguedl BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Erecaice Mansion, January 25, 1892.