The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-27

Chill has. according 10 the latest OF the
many conflicting reports which have recently
been published in the press agreeu W WIZ
draw tho offensive Malta circular 20 teeo"-
slider her demand for the recall OF minister
Foam and TO submit the question OF repara-
.,o, for tho outrage perpetrated on the sail
orc of tho limited States steamship Baltimore
20 arbitration. This certainly looks as if the
,ittle South American republic had come to
ber senses and decided to do what she might
have seen from the first she would 10
compelled 10 do.
Whether peace or war is the outcome OF
this imbroglio, however. the administration
can claim no credit to itself for its attitude
throughout has been bullying and exaspe-
rating in the extreme towards Chill. Presi-
dent Harrison and Secretary Blaine both
knew that Minister Egan had. through
his extravagant partisanry IN favor
Of Balmaceda made himself exceedingly I'M
popular with the revolutionsts. and 50 patent
indeed was this that a number of American
newspapers urged the recall Of the obnoxious
Minister. But the administration persisted
in keeping him in Office in defiance OF
CHILEAN public sentiment. and 1t was no
doubt. due directly to this fact that the
CHILEAN populace became angry and excited
and in their evaporation were led to commit
most unwarranted and ,atrocious assault on
American sailors
When this assault had been committed,
however, nothing was left 10 the United
States but to demand reparation. but so
peremptory and imperative was the demand
that Chill could not possibly accede thereto.
at once. without humiliaiIng herself In the
dust TO the sacrifice of all dignity and sell
respect. In fact. she was goaded on to max
ing the insolent reply contained in the Malta
circular. and TO doing all she could to try and
keep from making the reparation which u
was clearly her duty 70 make. and which she
doubtless felt she would be eventually obliged
TO make. unless she could induce some strong
power like Great Britain to espouse her cause
and enable her 10 cope with her powerful
Northern adversary.
II looks therefore as If the administration
had Gone all it could 10 drive Chill into resis-
lance instead of endeavorng 10 avert trou-
bic. The President. it is well known. IS moro
DESTROYS Of a denomination at the hands OF
his party than anything else. while Mr..
Blaine. long ago while Secretary Of State OF
the Garfield administration, made reputa-
ton rs frst-c.ass jingoist. What more
natural than for these two gentlemen 10
reason that If war with comparatively In
significant country. which could only re-
suit in triumph for the Overwhelmingly
superior force could be brought about, 1t
would bring the administration into un-
usual prominence and not only promise TO
give Harrison the coveted denomination. but
enable his party to appeal for his reelection
in the principle that it was bad policy ito
swop horses in the middle offs stream, while
it would afford Blaine a great opportunity to
indulge his natural propensity for bombast
and buster.
The honor and dignity Of the United States
must be upheld at all hazards at eli times.
but no credit can be claimed by an admins
tration which seeks to needlessly compel q
war for that purpose.