Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1892-01-30
THE MESSAG
President Harrison Presents an Ugly-Look-
ing Case to Congress of Outrage and
Insult on Chili's Part.

ETesiueht hAFrsoh ffesenls an tsiy-isook-
ing Case to Congress of Outrage and
Insult on Chili's Part.
WASHINGTON, Jan. The following ls
President Harrison's message on the Chilian
situation sent 10 congress Monday.
To the Senate and House OF Representatives;
In my annual message, delivered to congress
at the beginning Of the present session, after a
brief statement OF The facts then in possession
OF this government touching the assault, in tho
streets OF Valparaiso, Chih, upon the sailors OF
the United States steamship Baltimore, on the
evening OF 'the 18th Of October last, said:
This government is now awaiting the result OF
an investigation which has been conducted by
the criminal court at Valparaiso.
at Is reported unofficially that the investiga-
tion is about completed, and that 1t Is expected
that the result will soon be communicated to
this Royernment, together with some adequate
and satisfactory response to the note BY which
the attention Of Chih was called 10 this incl
dent. II these Just expectations should be dis
appointed or further needless delay intervene,
will, by special message, bring this matter
again to the attention OF congress for such
action as may be necessary"
In my opinion the time has now come when
should lay before the congress and the country
uit correspondence OetWcen tUlS country anu
the government OF Chill, from tho time OF the
breaking out of the revolution against Balma-
ceda together with all other facts in tho posses
sion OF the executive department relating to
this matter.
The diplomatic correspondence is herewith
transmitted, with some correspondence between
the naval officers for the time IN command in
Gillian waters and the secretary OF the navy
and also the evidence taken at the Mare Island
navy yard since the arrival OF the Baltimore at
San Francisco. -.....
do not deem It necessary in this communica
tion to attempt any full analysts OF the cores
pOndence OF of the evidence
1t may be well, at the outset to say that what.
ever may hare been said IN this country or in
Chill in criticism OF Mr.. Eean, our minister at
Santiago the true history in Chlian affairs
from the outbreak OF the revolution until this
time discloses no act on the part of Mr.. Egan
unworthy Of HIS position or that could Justly be
the occasion Of serious animadrersion orcriti-
cism He has, l think, on the whole, borne him.
self in very trying circumstances, with dignity,
discretion and courtesy and has conducted the
correspondence with ability, courtesy and fair
ness.
1t is worth while, also, at the beginning, to
say that the right Of Mr., Egan TO give shelter in
the legation TO certain adherents OF the Balma.
ceda government who applied to him for asylum
has rot been denied by the Chilan authorities,
nor has any demand been made for the surren-
der Of these refugees. That there was urgent
need Of asylum Is shown by Mr.. Egan's noto Of
August a. 1891, describing the disorders that
prevailed in Santiago, and By the evidence Of
Capt. Schiey as to the pillage and violence that
prevailed at Valparaiso.
The correspondence discloses, however. that
the request OF Mr., Egan for safe conduct from
the country, In behalf OF these refugees, was de-
MED. The precedents cited by him in tho cor
respondence particularly in the case Of the rev.
oluton Of Peru in 1885, did not leave the Chilian
government in position to deny the right OF
asylum 10 political refugees, and
seemed very clearly TO support Mr.
Egans contention that safe conduct
to a neutral territory was necessary and
acknowledged incident OF the asylum. These
refugees have very recently, without formal
safe conduct, but by the acQuiescence Of the
CHILEAN authorities, been placed on board the
Yorktown, and are now being convey to Callao,
Peru.
This incident might be considered wholly
closed, but for the dsrespect manifested 10.
ward this government by the close and offensive
police surveillance Of the legation premises,
which was maintained during most of the period
OF the stay o! the refugees therein. After the
date OF my annual message, and up to the time
of the transfer of the refugees to the Yorktown,
the legation premises seem 10 have been sur.
rounded by police, In uniform, and police agents
or detectives, In citizens dress, who extensively
members Of the Minister family.
Commander Evans, who, by my direction re-
Gently visited Mr., Egan at Santiago, has tele-
graphed to the navy department, described the
~. .fEta ln
the police agents or detectives were, after his
arrival withdrawn during his stay, 1t appears
further, from the note OF Mr. Egan Of Novem,
ber 20, 1891, that on one occasion at least police
agents, whom he declares TO be known TO him,
invaded the legation premises pounding upon
his windows and using insulting and threat,
ening language roward persons therein. This
breach OF the right OF a minister TO freedom
from police espionage and restraint seems 10
have been SO fragrant that the Argentine min
ister who was dean OF the diplomatic corps,
having observed II, felt called upon 10 pro
test against II to the Chilian minister Of
foreign affairs The Chilian authorities have
as will be observed from the correspond
ence charged the refugees and the inmate:
Of the legation with insulting the police
bit It seems TO me incredible that mcr
whose lives were in jeopardy, and whose safety
could only be secured by retirement and quiet
ness should have sought to provoke a collision
| which could only end in their destruction, or Il
| aggravate their condition by intensifying {
popular feeling that, at one time, so threatenet
the legation as TO require Mr.. Egan TO appeal ,C
| the minister OF foreign affairs,
But the most serious incident disclosed by th'
correspondence is that Of the attack upon th'
sailors of the Baltimore in the streets OF Vslpl
| ralso on the 18th OF October last.
We have now received from the Chian gov
ernment an abstract Of the conclusions OF III
| fiscal general upon the testimony taken by tn
| Judge of crimes In an investigation which wa
made TO extend over nearly three months.
| very much regret TO be compelled 10 say tina
this report does not enable me 10 modify tn
conclusion announced in my annual message
l. ! am still Of the opinion that our sailors wer
assaulted, beaten, stabbed and killed, not 10
anything they or any one OF them, had done. bu
for what the government OF the United State
had done or was charged with having done, b
its civil officers and naval commanders. II tina
be the true aspect Of the case, the injury was I
the government of the United States, not
these poor sailors who were assaulted In o mar
ner so brutal and so cowardly.
The president then discusses the legal aspe(
Of the case, concerning the Baltimores right
| pe IN the utTuOE VI NulpdEdlcOs pS NuhuS
that general invitation which nations are hcl
TO extend to the war vessels Of other power
with which they have friendly relations.
The president then proceeds TO review oil Il
evidence concerning the assault on our sailo
in the streets Of Valparaiso.
The pretense," he concludes, "that Of
men were fighting with stones, clu,
and bright arms is, in view
these facts, incredible. 1t is fusth
refutcd by the fact that our prisoners, whit
searched. were absolutely without arms, on
seven pen.knives being found In the posscssi'
Of the men arrested, while there were receiv
by our men more than 30 stab wounds, every o.
ef which was inflicted in the back, and almo
every confused wound was in the back or ba
OF the head. The evidence OF the ships one
Of the day is that even the iackknivcs OF I
men were taken from them before leaving I
ship"
CHILL GETTING READY.