The state herald., 1892-01-29
THE PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS-.
A Message Concerning the Chilisn
Situation, but no New Facts.

Situation, but no New Facts.
President Harrison on the 25th sent
to Congress the correspondence which has
passed between this country and Chill. In
a message accompanying the correspond
cnce he says that our government Is still
waiting the announcement Of the result Of
tho investigation Of the assault Oh the Bal.
timoro's men. He takes occasion TO speak
in praise Of our minister.
at may bo well at the outset TO say that
whatever may have been said In this coun-
try or in Chill In criticism Of Mr.. Egan, our
minister at Santiago tho true history OF
this exciting poriod In Chilian affairs from
tho outbreak Of tho revolution until this
timo discloses no act on the part OF Mr..
Egan unworthy Of his position or that
could Justly bo the occasion Of serious ami
madversion or criticism. He has, think
on the whole, borne himself in very trying
circumstances with dignity, discretion and
courage and has conducted tho correspond
encc with ability, courtesy and fairness"
Referring to tho close watch kept upon
tho legation by police before tho refugees
had becn released and taken TO Chill, he
| says:
"Tho legation promises have bccn sur
rouned by police In uniform, and police
agents or detectives In citiacns' dress, who
extensively scrutiniaod persons entering or
leaving the legation, ,on ono or two oc-
| casions, arrested members OF tho minis
ter's family. Commander Evans, who by
my direction, recently visited Mr.. Egan
Mt Santiago, in his telegram 10 tho navy
department, described tho legation as
'veritable prison. and states that tho
police agent and detectives were, aftersH v
arrival, withdrawn during his stay. 1t
appears, further down, from tho note Of
MIR. Egan Of Nov. 20 1891, that on one oc-
casion at least these police agents, whom
ho declares to be known to him, invaded
tho legation premises, pounding on Its
windows and using insulting and threaten
Ing language toward persons, ,,thercin."
Tho President expresses ,himsolf very
strongly on tho subject OF the Baltimore
affair. 1--WE have now received from the
Chilian government an abstract of the
conclusions of tho fiscal general upon the
testimony taken by the Judge Of crimes III
an investigation which was made TO OK
tend over three months. very much re-
gret to be compelled to say that this report
does not enable me TO modify tho conclu-
sion announced In my annual message.
am still OF tho opinion that our sailors
were assaulted, beaten, stabbed and killed.
not for anything they or any one OF them
had done, but for what the government OF
the United States had DONE or was charg-
cd with having done, by its civil officers
and naval commanders. II that be tho
true aspect of the case, the injury was to
the government Of the United States, not
these poor sailors who were assaulted In
manner SO brutal and SO cowurdly."
one other important matter touched
upon by the correspondence Is tho Insult
ing nrte sen. by Minister Malta to their
representative in this country, In which
he said:
"Having read the portion OF tho report |
OF the secretary Of the navy and of the
message of the president OF the United |
States, ! think proper to inform sou that |
tho statements on which both report md |
mnssage are based, are erroneous or de- |
!!beratcly Incorrect. With respect to the
scamcn Of the Baltimore there Is moreover |
no cxactness or sincerity IN what Is said |
at Washington
In speaking OF this insulting statement |
diplomatic but grossly insulting to our |
naval officers and to the executive depart
mcnt, US 1t directly imputed untruth and |
insincerity as to the reports OF the naval |
officers and the of1irial conmunications |
made by the executive department to Con-
eress. II will be observed that have no. |
n"~a ts~ sh'h.~ ~.~a-..~--s-sA-s-.,si~ ,si~s- y
this note is nj once withdrawn and apology 7
nt,l - hn NM Ia ..,tu
inmate diplomatic relations. have as yet
received no reply TO our note Of tho alst
Inst, but in my opinion ought not to do
lay longer to bring these matters To the ut
tcntion OF Congress Tor such action as mag
be deemed appropriate;
"ihc request for tho recall Of MIR. Egan.
upon the ground that he was not persona
graiid, was unaccompanicd by my sug-
gestions that could possibly no used Id
SUPPORT OF II, .ad infer that tho request
Is based upon Official acts Of MIR. Egan
which have received the approval OF this
government But, however that may bo,
could not consent TO consider such
question until " had been snttlrd whpthcf
our correspondence with Chill could DO
conducted upon basis OF mutual respect.
81 desire 10 say that am OF tho opinion
that the demands made OF Chill by this
government should be adhered 10 and Gu.
forced, lf the dignity, ns well us tho pros.
tigo aud influence Of the United States are
not 10 be wholly sacrificed VIC must prd.
tcet these who are In foreign ports, display
the iing or wear the colors OF this govern.
incnt, against insult, brutality md death,
inflicted In resentment OF tho acts of their
government and not for any fault Of their
own.
ut has been my dcsirc In every way 10
cultivate friendly and Intimate relations
with all the governments bf this hsmis- |
phorc. We do not covct their territory.
We desire their peace and prosperity. Wo
look for no advantage In our relations with
them, except tho Increased changes OF
commerce upon basis Of mutual benefit
We regret 1very. civil contest that dlsturbs
thelr peace and pafalyzes their develop.
mcnt, md arc always ready TO give our
good Offices for tho restoration OF peace. IL
must, however, DO understood that this
government, while exercising tho utmost
ferbearanco toward weaker powers, will
extend Its strong and adequate protection
10 its citizens. to.lts officers and 10 ia
huinblest sailor, whom uado tho victims OF
wantohrc.s and cruelty In resentment, not
of ihelt personal conduct but OF the ofi.
clal acts Of their government