The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-01-22
THE DIFFICULTY WITH CHILL

| 1t was expected that President Hal
rlson would send a message to Cor
gress on Tuesday concerning the Chill
| an trouble, but it was not done a
| Senior Mont, the Minister from Chill
has requested an extension and give
assurances that an apology and full re
paration will be made Speaking O
the situation the Philadelphia Pres
says:
| Instead Of seeking war, presden
Harrison has been anyiously endeavor
ing for three months to avoid it. III,
situation has been most difficult. Gu
sailors are attacked in Valparaiso ant
done to death solely and only because
they wore our uniform. Those who
slipped it off escaped. The Chliar
police, dealing with the mob of 1000
according to Chilian reports, attacking
few sailors. arrests twenty.three sail
ors and half dozen rioters. The ri
oters reach Jail unwounded. Ever,
sailor is wounded. Several have stabs
and bullet wounds which match police
weapons. AT the station, beds, band.
ages and hospital care are all denied
by The police to dying Americans,
though pleaded for by their surgeons.
Contrary to custom in Valparaiso, the
presence of an officer is denied at the
examination of these sailors. For a
month the officers and men of the
Baltimore are imprisoned on their own
vessel. The mob holds the streets.
The Governor Qntendente) of Valpar-
also tartly tells Commander Schley
that if his officers and men come ashore
1t is at their peril
All this takes place in city whose
newspapers for ten years have teemed
with abuse Of this country, in which
the American Consul reports he is un q.
safe without guard, and under a Gov
ernment which has notorlously oppos.
ed itself to the policy of the United
States in seeking fir er trade, arbitra-
ton of all differences, and uniform
public International regulations be-
tween American rel ublics. For years
Chiian papers have declared that the
Chilian navy could sweep ours from
the Pacific and levy a contribution on
San Francisco. The Chilian people
have certainly believed this, and the
Chilian Government has acted as if it
did.
Under all these exasperating cir
cumstances, which would have led a
Government of ordinary prudence and
discretion to avoid the appearance of
offense and discharge punctiliously all
diplomatic obligations, the Chilian Adj
ministration has expressed neither re-
gret nor apology. Diplomatic usage,
which requires the offer Of an indem-
nifty in case of damage to citizens of a
friendly power by riot, if proved has
been set at naught. The notes ad-
dressed to our Government have been
studiously curt, insulting and offensive.
Not satisfied with this, note-now
withdrawn, every word a veiled insult
has been communicated to every Euro
pean power. A guard is placed on the
American Legation. The American
Minister is insulted in public, his per-
son is unsafe at public ceremonials and
members of his household are searched
by the police. Government news
papers TEEN with bellicose predc-
tions. AT length Chilan squadron
is ostentatiously sent to sea with seal
ed orders.
From a power equal to the United
States these provisions would long since
have led to war. No European power
would have endured them. A fleet
and an ultimatum would have long
since appeared off Valparaiso. Instead
our Government has waited. 1t re
moved the Baltimore and replaced it by
fresh vessel and crew only to find it
was our uniform. and not the com
mander and crew involved in casual
row for which the streets of Valpar-
also were unsafe. A Provisional
Government has been permitted tc
give way to regular Administration
No fleet has been gathered. Our yes
sells, however, ready for action, have
been studiously disposed so as to con
vey no threat. Diplomotic correspon
dence has gone on through the usua
channels. Our Minister has not beer
Withdrawn. The pride and suscepti
bilities of Chill have been consulted a
every point. In securing the safet,
of the refugees IN our legation al
forms have been waived in asserting
the right of asylum, SO its substan
tial reality was conceded by Chill
AS it is. Chill has had the impertin
ence to protest against the salute o
the Yorktown to the Spanish Mlnlste
because it was anxious that his visl
to-the gunboat with refugee shoul
be held personal act and not an O.
fetal call as Minister.
| If, in spite of all this, Chill refuse
the apology and regret require
by countless precedents, and uniform