Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-02-04

II OouuSOu, Ill wHOSS lie Wds HI CDe
time, and by the evidence OF Charles
Langen, an American sailor, not then
a member of the Baltimore's crew,
who stood close by and saw the trans
| action. The Gillian authorities do
| not pretend to fix the responsibility
of this shot upon any particular per-
| tain who fired it.
After summarizing the correspon-
dence up to a certain point he says:
Communications OF the Chilian govern
ment in regard to the cruel and disas-
trous attack upon our men, as will
appear from the CORES oondence, have
| not in any degree taken the form of a
manly and satisfactory expression of
regret, much less of an apology. The
event was OF so serious a character
that if the injuries suffered by our men
had been wholly the result of accident
in q Chilian port the incident was
grave enough to have called for some
public expression ofsympathy and re-
gret from the local authorities. 1t is
not enough to say the affair was
| lamentable, for humanity would re-
quire that expression even if the beat
ing and killing of our men had been
Justifiable. 1t is not enough to say
that the incid .nt is regretted, coupled
with the statement that the affair
was not an infrequent occurrence in
ports where foreign sailors are accus-
toned to meet. 1t is not for the gov
ernment to seek for words of small or
equivocal meaning in which to convey
to friendly nation an apology for an
Offense so atrOcious as this. In our
note of October % last, after receiving
the report of the board of officers APP
pointed by Capt. Schley to investigate
the affair, the Chilian government was
advised of the aspect which it then as
sumed and called upon for any facts
in it's possession that might tend to
modify the unfavorable impressions
which our report had created. 1t is
very clear from the correspondence
that before the receipt of this note the
examination was regarded by the
police author ties as practically closed.
1t was, however, reopened and pro-
tracted through period of nearly
three months. We might Justly have
complained of this unreasonable de-
lay, but in view OF the fact that the
government of Chill was still provi-
sional and with a disposition to be
forbearing and hopeful OF a friendly
termination Ihave awaited the report,
which has but recently been made.
On the 21st inst. / caused to be com
municated to the government of Chill
by the American minister at Santiago,
the conclusions of this government
after a full consideration of all the
evidence and ofevery suggestion affect
ing this matter and to these conclu-
sions 1 adhere. They were stated AZ
follows:
"First-That the assault is not re-
lieved of the aspect which the early in
formation OF the event gave to it, viz
That an attack upon the uniform OF
the United States navy, having its or
igin 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 hagrantly failed in their
duty to protect our men and that
some OF the police and Gillian soldiers
and sailors were themselves guilty OF
unprovoked assaults upon our sailors
before and after the arrest. He 1.-THE |
president) thinks the preponderance |
OF evidence and inherent probabilities |
lead to the conclusion that Riggin was
killed by the police or soldiers.
In1Tu-l ndJ ue tune pTcsiucDIJ II /
therefore compelled to bring the case
back to the position taken by this |
government in the note of Mr.. Whar-
ton OF Oct. 23 last and to ask for a |
suitable apology and some adequate
reparation for the injury done to this |
In the same note the
attention of the Chiian government
was called to the offensive character
of the note addressed by Malta, ex
minister of foreign affairs, to Montt,
its minister at this capital, on the
11th ultimo. This dispatch was not
officially communicated to this gov
ernment, but as Montt was directed
to translate it and give it to the press
OF this country, 1t seemed to me that
it could not pass without official no
tice. 1t was not only undiplomatic
but grossly insulting to our naval Off
GERS and to the executive department
as it directly imputed untruth and in
sincerity to the reports of the naval
officers and to the official communica-
tions made by the executive depart
ment to congress. 1t will be observed
that / have notified the Chilian gov
ernment that unless this note IS at
once withdrawn, and an apology as
public AS the offense be made l Will
terminate diplomatic relations. The
request for the recall of Egan upon the
ground that he was not persona grata
was unaccompanied by any suggestion
that could properly be used in sup
port OF it, and INFER that the request
is based upon the official acts OF Egan,
which have received the approval OF
this government. But however that
may be, could not consent to con-
slider such question until it had first
been settled whether our correspond
ence with Chill could be conducted on
q basis of mutual respect.
"In submitting these papers to con-
gress for that grave and patriotic con-
sideration which the question involved
demand, / desire to say that | am OF
the opinion that the demands made
on Chill by this government could be
adhered to and enforced. If the dig
nifty as well as the prestige and influ-
ence of the United States are not to
be wholly sacrificed We must protect
those who in foreign ports display the
flag and wear the colors of this govern
ment against insult, brutality and
death inflicted in resentment of the
acts of this government and not Tor
any fault of their own. 1t has been
my desire in every way to cultivate
friendly and intimate relations with
all the governments OF this hemis-
phere. We do not covet their terri
tory, we desire their peace and pros
perity. We look for no advantage in
our relations with them except an
increased exchange OF commerce upon
the basis of mutual benefit. Weregret
every civil contest that disturbs their
peace and paralyzes their develop
ment and are always ready to give
our good Offices for the restoration OF
peace. 1t must be, however, under
stood that this government, while