The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-01-27

reports Of naval officers and to the oficial com
munications made by the executive department
70 congress- Ii Will be observed that / have
notified the Chilean government that unless this
note Is at once Withdrawn and apology is pub.
nshed aS the offense is made viii terminate
diplomatic relations The request for the recall
OF Mr.. Egan upon the ground that he was moi
persona grata was unaccompanied by any sug'
gestion that could properly be used in support oi
It and infer that the request Is based upon
official acts OF Mr.. Egan which have received
the approval OF this government. But, how.
ever that may be, could not consent to con
slider such q question until II had first been set
ued whether our correspondence with Chile
could be conducted upon basis Of mutual re.
Spect. In submitting these papers TO congress
for that grave and patriotic consideration which
the questions involved demand, desire 10 say
that am OF the opinion that the demands made
OF Chile by this government should be adhered
TO and enforced. II the dignity as well as the
prestige and influence OF the United States are
not TO be wholly sacrificed we should protect
those who in foreign ports display the flag or
wear the colors OF this government against In.
suit brutality and death, inflicted in resentment
OF the acts OF their government and not for any
fault OF their own. 1t has been desired In every
way TO cultivate friendly and intimate relations
withall the governments OF this hemisphere, We
do not covet their territory; we desire their
peace and prosperity. We look for no advan.
tage In our relations with them except
to increase exchange of commerce upon
basis Of mutual benefit We re-
gret every civil contest that disturbs their
peace and paralyzes their development, and are
always ready TO give our good offices for the
restoration OF peace. 1t must, however, be un.
derstood that this government while exercising
the utmost forbearance toward weaker powers,
viii extend its strength and adequate protection
TO its citizens, 10 its officers and TO Its humbest
sailor when made the victims OF wantonness and
cruelty in resentment not Of their personal mis-
conduct, but OF the Official acts OF their govern
ment
Upon information received that Patrick
Shields, an Irshman and probably British
subject, but at the time fremen OF the Ameri-
can steamer Keweenaw in the harbor Of Val
paraiso for repairs had been subjected TO per
sonal injuries In that city largely by the police
directed the attorney general TO cause the
evidence OF the officers and crew OF
that vessel TO be taken upon Its arrival
in San Francisco, and that testimony is
also herewith transmitted. The brutality and
even savagery OF the treatment OF the seamen
by the Chilean police would be incredible II the
evidence OF Shields were not supported by other
direct testimony and by the distressing con-
dition OF the man himself when he was finally
able TO reach his vessel. The captain OF the yes
sci says "he came back wreck; black from his
neck TO his hips from beating; weak and stupid,
and Is still in kind OF paralyzed condition,
and has never been able 70 do duty since"
A claim for reparation has been made In be-
half OF this man, for, while he was not citizen
OF the United States, the doctrine held by us,
as expressed In the consular regulations, is
"the principle which are maintained by this
government in regard TO the protection, as dis
tinguished from the relief OF seamen are well
settled. II is held that the circumstance that
the vessel Is American is evidence that the
seamen on board are such, and In every regu-
larly documented merchant vessel the crew
will find their protection in the flag that covers
them
have as yet received no reply to our note
OF the 2ist instant, but In my opinion l ought
not 10 delay longer In bringing these matters 70
the attention OF congress for such action, as
may be deemed appropriate
(Signed) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, January %, 1892