Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-26

l a =
eminent to seek for words OF small or
equlvocal meaning in which to convey
TO a friendly power an apology Tor an
offense so atrocious as this.
In the case Of the assault by mob In
New Orleans upon the Spanish Con-
sulate in 1851, Mr.. Webster wrote to
the Spanish Minister, Mr.. Calderon,
that the acts complained of were "a dis
graceful and fragrant breach Of duty and
propriety," and that this government
regrets them as deeply as Minister
Calderon Of his government could pos
sibly do" that "these acts have caused
the President great pain, and he thinks
q proper acknowledgment is due to Her
Majesty
He invited the Spanish Consul to re-
turn 10 mis- post, guaranteeing protec-
ton, and offered 10 salute the Spanish
dag II the Consul should come in Span
ish vessel. Such a treatment by the
government of Chile Of this assault
would have been more creditable to the
Chilean authorities, and much less can
hardly be satisfactory to q government
that values its dignity aud honor.
In the 2Ist inst. caused TO be COM
municated to the government Of Chile
by the American Minister at Santiago
the conclusions Of this government, at
ter a full consideration OF all the evil
dence and Of every suggestion affecting
this matter, and to these conclusions l
adhere. They are stated as follows:
First-that the assault is not re-
lieved Of the aspect which the early in
formation Of the event gave it, viz:
that OF an attack upon the uniform OF
the u. s. Navy, having its origin and
motive in a feeling of hostility to this
Government and not in any act OF the
sailors or OF any of them.
Second-that the public authorities
OF Valparaiso flagrantly failed in their
duty to protect our men and that some
Of the police and of the Chilean soldiers
and sailors were themselves guilty OF
unprovoked assaults upon our sailors
before and after arrest. He (the Presi-
dent thinks the preponderence OF the
evidence and the inherent probabilities
lead to the conclusion that Riggin was
killed by the police or soldiers.
Third-That he (the President) is
therefore compelled to bring the case
back to the position taken by this gov
eminent in the note Of Mr.. Wharton OF
October % last, and TO ask for a suit
able apology and for some adequate
reparation for the injury done to this
government.
In the same note the attention Of the
Chilean government was called to the
offensive character Of note addressed
by Mr.. Malta, its Minister of Foreign
Affairs, to Mr.. Montt, its Minister at
this capital, on the 18th nit. This dis
patch was not officially communicated
70 this government, but as Mr.. Montt
was directed TO translate it and give it
TO the press OF this country, 1t
seemed to me that ii could not
pass without official notice. 1t was
not only undiplOmstic, but grossly in
Sulting to our Naval officers and to the
Executive Department, as it directly
imputed untruth and insincerity to the
reports OF the Naval officers and to the
official communications made by the
Executive Department to Congress. IL
will be observed that have notified the
Chilean Government that unless this
note is at once withdrawn and an apol-
ogy as public as the otfense made, l will
terminate diplomatic relations.
The request for the recall of Mr..
Egan, upon the ground that he was no
perSoua grdtd, was unsccOmpanied by
any suggestion that could properly be
used in support OF il, and l 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, I could not consent
to consider such a question until it had
first been settled whether our CORE
spondence with Chile could be conduct
ed upon a basis Of mutual respect.
In submitting these papers TO Con-
gress for that grave and patriotic con-
sideration, which the questions involved
demand, l desire to say that / am of the
opinion that the demands made OF Chile
bv this government should be adhered
to and enforced. If the dignity as we'll
as the prestige and influence of the
United States are not TO be wholly sac
ri6ced, we must protect those who in
foreign ports display the flag or wear
the colors OF this government. against
insult. brutality and death, inflicted In
resentment OF the acts Of their gov
eminent and not for any fault of their
own.
1t has been my desire in every way to
cultivate friendly and intimate rela-
tions with all the Governments OF this
Hemisphere. We desire peace and pros
Derity. 1t must, however, be under
stood that this Government while exer-
cising the utmost fOrebearance towards
weaker powers, will extend its strong
and adequate protection to its citizens,
to its officers and to its humbleSt sailor,
when made the victims of wantonneSs
and cruelty and resentment, not OF their
personal misconduct but OF the official
acts of their Government.
Upon information received that Pat
rick Shields, an Irishman and probably
a British subject, but at the time fire.
man OF the American Steamer kee-
weenaw in the harbOr Of Val