Omaha daily bee., 1892-01-26

THE GILLIAN ISSUE FULLY SET FORTH.
The people OF the United States will
read with profound interest the message
OF President Harrison to congress, and
the correspondence that accompanies it,
fully setting forth the nature OF the diff
ficulty between this country aud Chilli.
The message is able, dignilied and
patriotic 1t discusses with judicial
force and clearness the numerous ques-
tions involved in the controversy.
Without menace in spirit or language.
the message firmly states in unequivocal
terms the position of this government,
maintains its justice, and insists that
the duty of the nation to preserve
its honor and dignity and prestige re-
quires that the demands Of the govern.
ment upon Chilli should be adhered to
and enforced. 1t is not to be doubted
that the attitude and views of the presi-
dent will be approved by the American
people very generally when they shall
have acquainted themselves with the
official facts.
The president unqualifedly approves
the course OF Minister Egnn, and the
correspondence shows nothing to justify
different estimate of his conduct. The
circumstances have been such as to put
to the severest test the Judgment and
discretion of any man, however well
trained in diplomatic duties, and it does
not appear that Mr., Egan has from
first to last done anything to in the
slightest degree compromise or embar
rass his government. Regarding the
outrages upon the sailors of the Balti-
more at Valparaiso, the president is un-
able TO find any evidence to shake the
conviction that the motive OF the attack
was hostility to the government of the
United States The assumption that
this government was unfriendly to the
revolutionists, which seemed to find
warrant in the action of the authorities
regarding tho ltata, had engerdered II
strong feeling of dislike for Americans
which found vent IN the murderous as
sault upon the men who wore the uni
form of our navy. Thus the govern
ment OF the United States, as the presi-
dent very justly contends, was a partici-
pant in the injury inflicted upon its
sailors, so that the demand for redress
is not less for the vindication OF the
nation than for justice to the men who
were the victims of the country's
enemies
The president argues strongly and
clearly regarding the international
rights involved, and plainly says that
the treatment Of the situation by the
Chilian government has not been manly
or satisfactory, statement which the
correspondence will fully bear out. AS
to the duty of the government to give
protection to its citizens, officers, and the
humblest sailors in it's service in foreign
lands, the president speaks in no uncer-
tain language. While the United States
desires to maintain peaceful relations
with all other countries, and is disposed
to exercise the greatest forbearance
toward weaker powers, it will protect
those who have a claim to its protection.
The matter is now in the hands of
congress, so far as this government is
concerned. How it will eventuate very
few days will probably determine. The
position of this government has been
clearly defined, and it is not to be
doubted that it will be adhered to.
Congress may give the Chilian govern
ment more time in which to determine
what it will do respecting our demands,
but If further delay is allowed it will be
brief, and if after all it shall be found that
Chih prefers war congress will sustain
the administration to the furthest extent
necessary in prosecuting hostilities
This government has done only what its
seif-respect and its international rights
justify. The defense of its course is
complete 1t S now for Chilli to decide
what the result shall be.