Huntsville gazette., 1892-01-30

He invited the Spanish conssl to return to his
post, guaranteeing protection. and offered 20
lutte the Spanish flag if the consul should CONF
in Spanish vessel. Such treatment by the
government of Chill of this assault would bs
more creditable to the Chilian authorities, and
much less can hardly be satisfactory to gov
ernment that vaiu IS its dignity and honor
In our note of October % last, which appears
in the correspondence, after receiving the
by Capt. Schley to investigate the affair,
the Chilian government was advised OF
the aspect which it then assumed and
called upon for any facts in les possession that
might tend to modify the unfavorable impress
sion which our report had created. 1t is clear
from the correspondence that before the receipt
of this note the examination was regarded by
the police authorities as practically closed 1t
was, however, reopenad and protracted through
period of nearly three months. We might
justly have complained of this unreasonable
government of Chill was still provisional, and
having disposition to be forbearing and hope
full of friendly termination, have awaited
the report which has but recently been made.
On the 2lst inst. caused to be communicated
to the government Of Chill, by the American
minister at Santiago, the conclusions of the
government after full examination OF all evi-
dence and every suggestion affecting this mat
ter, and to these conclusions adhere they were
stated as follows:
First That the assault is not relieved of
the aspect which the early information of the
event gave to it, viz: That of an attack upon
the uniform of the United States navy having
III
to this government, and not in any act of sail
orS, or of any of them.
Second. That the public authorities of Val
paraiso fagrantly failed in their duty to pro,
tect our men, and that some OF the police and
some of the Chilian soldiers and sailors were
themselves guilty OF unprovoked assault
upon our m sailors DfIoFe and md srfer
derance of the evidence and the inherent prob
abilities lead to the conclusion that Riggin was
killed by the police or soldiers.
baf hn tha 1id dpfatl 10
compelled to bring the case back TO the position
taken by this government, by the note of Mr.
Wharton OF October % last-and to ask for
suitable apology and for some adequate repara-
ton for the injury done to this government
In the same note the attention of the Chilian
government was called to the offensive charac-
ter of foreign affairs. to Mr.. Moltt its minister
at this country, on the 1lth ultimo. This dis
patch was not officially communicated to this
government; but Mr. Montt was directed to
translate it and give it to the press of this coun
try it seemed to me that it could not pass with
out official notice 1t was not only undpomatc,
but grossly insulting to our naval officers atA
to the executive department. as it directly inf
puted untruth, and insincerity to the reports OF
naval officers and to the officers and to the Off
cial communications made by the executive de-
partment to congress. 1t will be observed that
/ have notified the Chilian government that un-
less this note is at once withdrawn and an
apology is made as public as the offense made, l
will terminate diplomatic relations. The re-
quest for the recall of Mr. Egan upon the
ground that he was not persona grata was
unaccompanied by any suggestion that could
properly be used in support OF 1t, and l infer
that the request Is based upon official acts OF
Mr.. Egan which have received the approval of
this government. But, however that may be,
could not consent to consider such a question
until it had first been settled whether our cor
respondence with Chill could be conducted upon
a basis of mutual respect.
that grave and patriotic consideration
which the questions involved demand,
desire to say that am of the
4overnnnnr should Ue adhered to and enIurcd.
II the dignity as well as the prestige and infiu-
ence of tho United States are not to be wholly
sacrificed we should protect those who in for
eigD ports display the flag or wear the colors OF
this government against insult brutality, and
death, inflicted in resentment Of the acts q
their government and not for any fault of their
own. 1t has been desired in every way to culti-
vate friendly and intimate relations with all the
governments of. this hemisphere. We do not
covet their territory; we desire their peace and
prosperity.
We look for no advantage in our relations with
them except to increase exchange OF comm cree
upon basis of mutual benefit. We regret every
civil contest that disturbs their peace and para
lyzes their development, and are always ready
to give our good offices for the restoration of
peace. 1t must, however, be understood that
this government, while exercising their utmost
forbearance toward weaker powers, will extend
its strong and adequate protection to its citi-
zens, to its officers and to its humbest sailor
when made the victims of wantonness and cru
city in resentment, not of their personal mis-
conduct, but of the official acts of their govern
ment
Upon information received that Patrick
Shields, an Irishman and probably a British
subject, but at the time fireman of the Amer1-
can steamer Kesweena, in the harbor of Valpa-
raiso for repairs, had been subjected to person
al injuries in that city, largely by the police,
directed the attorney general to cause the evi-
dence 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
| Chilian police would be incredible If the evil
| dence of Shields was not supported by other di-
rect testimony, and by the distressing condition
| of the man himself when he was finally able to
reach his vessel. The captain of the vessel 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 to 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
| PRINCIPLES which are maintained by this govern
| ment In regard to the protection as distin-
| gushed from the relief of seamen are well set
| tied. 1t is held that the circumstance that the
vessel is American, is evidence that the seamen
| on board are such, and in every regularly docu
mented 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 21st inst, but in my opinion ought not to
tention Of congress for such action as may be
deemed appropriate.
ISignedl BENJAMIN HARRISON.
WASH ISGToN Jan 2J 1892