The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-26

ton until it had first been settled whether our
correspondence with Chile could be conducted
upon basis ofmutual respect
IN submitting these papers to Congress for
that grave and patriotic consideration which
the questions involved demand, / desire TO
say that am of the opinion that the demands
made OF Chile by this Government should be
adhered to and enforced. Ii the dignity, as
well as the restige and influence of the United
Scates are not to be wholly sacrificed, we must
protect those who in foreign ports display the
nag and wear the colors of this Government
against insult, brutality and death inflicted in
the resentment of acts of their Government,
and not tor any fault OF their own. 1t has
Deen my desire in every way to cultivate
friendly and intimate relations with all Gov
efnments OF this hemisphere. We do not
cONet their territory; we desire their peace
ana prosptr ity. We look for no advantage in
our relations with them. except an increase of
the exchanges OF commerce upon a basis of
mutual benefit. We regret every civil contest
that dlsturbs their peace and paralyZes 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 the utmost for
bearanCe toward weaker powers will extend
It's strong and adequate protection to its citi-
ZenS- Its officers ana its humblest sailors when
MADE victims of wantonneSS and cruelty in
The resentment not of their personal miScon-
dqct, but of Official acts of their Government.
Upon information received that Patrick
SnieldS, an lrlShman, and probably British
SUB ect, but at the time n fireman OF the Amer
lcan steamer keweenaw, in the harbOr of Val
paralSo for repairs, had been subjected to PER
sonaI injuries in that citv. largely by the
police, l directed the Attorney-GeneTal to
cause the evidence of the officers and the
crew of that vessel TO be taken uTon its arrival
IN San Francisco, and this testimony is also
herewith transmitted The brutality and
even savagery OF the treatment of these poor
men by The Chilean police would be incredi-
bic il the evidence of Shields was not sup
ported by other direct testimony and by the
distressing condition of the man himself
when lie was finally able to reach his vessel.
The Captain of the Vess i says: "He came
back a wreck, black from his neck 10 his hips
rom eating, weak and stupid and is still in
a KIND OF paralyzed condition and has never
been able to do duty since"
a claim for reputation has been mace in
behalf OF this ma , FOR while he is not a citi-
zen OF the Cniteu STATES, the doctTi- G so long
hel0 bF the United States rs expressed in the
Consular regulations, the principles which are
maintained by this Government IN regard to
protection, as distinguished from the relief
OF seamen, is well settled. 1t is held that the
circumstance that the e ;sel is American is
evidence that the seamen On board are such,
and in every regularly documented merchant
vessel the crew will ind their protection in
The ftag that covers them.
have as yet received no reply to our note
o. the 21St, out, in my opinion. I ought not
delay longer 10 bring these matters to the at
Ientlon OF Congress for such action as may be
deemed appropriate.
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
Executive Mansion, Jan. %, 1892.