The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-10

Executive Mansion, Janaury IS, 1892.
important Points in the Diploma tic
| Correspondence.
The voluminous Chilean correspondence
| from the Departm snt OF State comprises
the details of all the events, beginning with
the Balmaceda insurrection, up to the pres
ent time. Concerning the Itata affair, Mr..
Ezan reports the acting Minister of Foreign
| Affairs as admitting that the United States
could not have taken any other position in
regard to that vessel, and that bitter feel
ing was being foinen1ed by the English.
During the negotiations for peace, Mr.. Egan
| had instructions from the State Department
to insist that the revolutionist ENJOYS have
the ordinary protection of flag of truce;
and accordingly he protested against the
order Of M. Godoy that their safe conduct be
withdrawn. This order was disavowed by
| President Balmaceda.
On August 90 Mr.. Eyan wrote that, hear
| ing ofa reported threat TO search the legation
for refugees, he had personally notified the
Government that he would discuss the
question Of asylum on proper basis, but
be would shoot any one trying to search
the legation. The Chillian President
assured him direct that there was
no such intention. Later on, Mr.. Egan
telegraphed the particulars Of the surround
ing of the American legation with secret
police, the arrest Of twenty persons for en-
tering the legation, and the arrest Of two Of
the legation servants, against which Mr..
Egan had protested. The espionage on the
legation was kept up, but no further arrests
were made.
Mr.. Egan reported that it had been init
mated to him that to avoid personal unpopu
larity and inconvenience, he ought to have
the refugees leave the legation and seek con-
cealment elsewhere, he would not adopt this
course because OF its inhospitality and inhu-
manity. Mr.. Egan commented on the very
different treatment accorded the refugees at
other legations. Minister Malta twice re-
fused safe conduct to the refugees.
On October Mr.. Eagan was advised that
President Harrison desired to establish and
maintain the most friendly relations with
Chile; but the right OF asylum having been
tacitly allowed to other legations and exer-
cised by our Minister with the old Govern
ment for the protection Of the ad-
herents Of the Congressional party,
the President regarded the application
Of another rule and the manifestation Of
disrespect to the legation Of the United
States as the manifestation Of an unfriendly
spirit. Mr.. Egan was instructed to prevent
abuse of the right Of asylum, and to-
limit the communications Of those enjoying
innocent matters.
Minister Malta assured Mr.. Egan that no
disrespect was intended to the legation, and
that the police must have misunderstood
their orders. He promised an investigation.
The Americans arrested at the legation were
Charles Hillman, an engineer; j.. o.
8. Maiden, a commission merchant
twice arrested), and Mr.. Raycroft
Later, Minister Malta again, e1-
pressed regret at the action OF the police,
who, he said, should have left access to the
legation free; but he refused safe conduct to
the refugees on the ground that it would be
an unjustiiable irregularity, though he said.
if it was possible he would grant 1t as
proof of amity to the legation.
Mr.. Egan in reply quoted international
usage and the practice OF Chile in 1865. Mr..
Egan also notifiet Senior Malta that he
would give the facts to his Government
for decision, and that the 'interpre-
tation of the United States Of the
and consideration cannot be a cause OF sur
prise" A few days later a public meeting |
was called to denounce the United States !
legation, and to request the delivery of the
refugees. The Government sent squadron
of cavalry to protect the legation.
Mr.. Egan, up to November Is, had spent |
5000 in entertaining the refugees. On |
November 16 he complained that the secret |
police. while drunk, had used insulting |
language to the refugees from the street.
TO this, Senior Malta replied that the
charged that employees Of the legation "com- |
mitted indiscretions which might provoke |
replies and reprisals not pleasing to the |
rights or decorum Of anybody" In further |
correspondence Mr.. Eagan renewed his
charges, and Minister Malta insisted
that the disturbances grew out of |
the conduct Of the people connected with
the legation and the refugees. Reporting |
this to the department. Mr.. Egan said that |
every complaint Of his had been met with
these insinuations. But no direct charge |
had been made, for the good reason that no |
such indiscretions had been committed.
Mr.. Egan called on the newly elected Presi.
dent Montt November 9, and congratulated |
him. He was cordially received, and Presi- |
dent Montt begged him to convey to the
United States his warmest acknowledge
ments.
On January 1S Mr.. Egan reported the
transfer of the last five refugees othe York |
town, accompanied by the refugees from the |
Spanish legation and the Spanish and 1tal-
ian Ministers.
The first information Of an attack on the
sailors Of the Baltimore was sent by MIR.
L&du Oh OCCODoE 10, GWc 'taJo ohoSA ~
occurred. He said it was the general i'm
preston that the attack was unprovoked and
premedtated. He said further that ne
understood that an attack made on some
German sailors some weeks before. in which
one was killed, was made because the
Chileans mistook the Germans for United
States sailors.
The message from President Harrison in
structing Mr.. Egnn to inform the Govern
ment that the United States had no doubt
prompt and full reparation would be offered
IL the facts were as reported, has been pub.
lished heretofore. So also has the reply OF
Minister Malta to the effect that "the
United States formulated demands and ad-
vanced threats that, without being cast back
with acrimony, were not acceptable nor
could they be accepted in'that case or any
other of like nature"
On the receipt Of this November 1st Mr..
Blaine instructed Mr.. Rgan to claim the
privilege OF reading the paper which the
American sailors had signed in secret in
language they did not understand and with
out being accompanied by counsel. and to
see that no one from the Baltimore testified