The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-01-28
HARRISON AND CHILE

been given to the public, and II IS
grave and weighty document. 1t il
long and exhaustive. The message il
most respects reviews the whole
ground, even going back as far as
april 10, 1891. The greater part OF II
is taken up with detailed review o.
the Baltimore affair, the president
showing from the records that the
officers and men of the Baltimore had
been given the freedom of the city;
that upon landing they were set upon
by q mob of 1000 Chileans, and that
when the police finally came, after half
an hours delay, they assisted the mob
instead of the sailors. The entire
message goes to show that
there is strong feeling in
Chile against the United States, and
her flag and the national uniform.
This being true, il is natural to sup
pose that this feeling had its origin in
something very serious. 1t is impos-
sible for US to doubt that the Chileans
considered they had good cause for
their dislike, and in all this long cor
respondence and the gathering of this
war cloud, there is but one cause even
limited at, and that is Patrick Egan.
The President accepts Minister Egan's
version of everything that has oc-
Cured, and uphOlds all his official
acts; but there is, without doubt, an
other side towhich the president does
not particularly refer. The Chilean au-
thorities claim that Egan usedoffensive
language in his correspondent 20 with
them; the very thing We now resent
i'm the Malta dispatch sent not to our
authorities, but to the Chilean minis
ter ut Washington; the olIense in this
instance being in its publication.
When all other matters Were gone
so much into detail why were
we not furnished copies of this
messages of Egan claimed to have
been 80 offensive in tone? We should
he furnished ground for Chile'sresent-
ment equally with the cause Of our
own anger But it seems the presi
dent has passed "dry 500 on Egan's |
conduct and declares it was all right.
Egan WAS not in too good odOr at
home, and during his brief authority |
it appears he has succeeded in MAX
1ns himself personally detested and in
bringing odium upon the country he
represents. Senior Matta's letter was
hot headed, and he did not mince
what he had to say. He slaps
IIgan and the president in the face
with the same glove when he
talks about The intrigues which pro-
coed from so low source and threats
which come from so high q source"
And Senior Montt goes further, and
asks the recall of Egan, Civ
inc as reason that he is not agree
able to the government Of Chile.
Since things have become so tang
led up perhaps it is well enough for
The President to insist upon an answer
to his ultimatum TO Chile hetuIe he
takes any steps upon the request for
The recall Of Egan. For the question
s now beyond consideration of any
ono man. Whatever may have been
the occasion for Chile's resentment in
the first instance, Egan or not, the Bal
timore's men have been abused and an
insulting message from Chile has been
widely published in the United
States. TO these Chile must answer
regardless of all other considerations.
But the trouble with us antedates all
this. 1t is we'll known that for many
months past the press and people OF
the United States have urged upon
the President the recall of Egan,
who was clearly Objectionable to the
people to whom he was sent, as min
lister from this country. In spite ofall
this pressure at home and abroad,
he president has manifested an al
most logged obstinacy in keeping
IIgan at his post. What the result of
all this will be, who can say? Chile
should, and doubtless will, take the
polite course of overlooking the
causes leading up to the conduct of
her citizens and her foreign minister,
and apologize for the acts and words,
reparation in damages to the
injured sailors, and the relatives of
the killed. But if it should be other
wise; if Chile goaded on by knowl-
edge of acts CLOSED over here, and
cornered by the ultimatum sent her,
should refuse to apologize-what then?
Diplomatic relations with her will
else? viii it be war to
compel an apology? If so the history
IF that war must record as its cause,
lot simply the overt acts against our
sailors, and the language of Chi!e's
.abinet officers unapologized for, but
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