The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-29

WEEKLY Per Year ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 4 %
Postage to Foreign Countries ADDED.
THK Sen. New York City.
Queer Things in tho Gillian Reply.
Tho curious part OF tho correspondence
submitted to Congress yesterday with the
Presidents supplementary message Is that
which concerns the alleged understanding
between Secretary BLAINE and Mr.. PEDRO
MONT. the Gillian Minister. as to the set
Element by arbitration Of the question OF
tho Valparaiso outrage.
When we say alleged understanding. We
mean alleged by Chill.
It will be observed that the letter Of the
Gillian Minister OF Foreign Affairs unquali-
fiedly withdraws the offensive expressions
In the Malta note. recedes from his previous
request for Minister EaANs recall. ex-
presses the regret Of his Government for
the murderous attack on tho Baltimore's
men. and offers to leave 1t either to our
Supreme Court or to q tribunal OF arbitra-
ton Ito determine the reparation which
Chill may have to make for that lamentable
occurrence"
The phrase quoted Is susceptible OF two
that reparation ia due and proposes merely
that the Supreme Court or some other tri-
bunal shall assess the damages. This Is the
construction which President HARRISON evil
IDENTIFY puts upon the proposal. and 1t is the
construction which satisfies every reasona-
BILE American.
The other possible Interpretation. per
haps forced. is that Chill proposes to leave
It to tho Supreme Court. or to some other
tribunal. to determine Thether Chilli should
make reparation. and In what form. We
should say that this ia the construction
likely to be put upon Mr.. PERE1RAs phrase
by the hotter American haters among the
population Of Santiago and Valparaiso.
The ambiguity OF the phrase. II anything
moro than accidental. seems to bear d.
rect relation to misunderstanding be-
tween Mr.. BLAINE and Mr.. MoNrT. already
referred to. Mr.. PEREIRA remarks:
minister Aoxrr reported that. notwths tandine Ger
tain observations made by the American state Depart
ment with respect the opportunenes Of resortng
arbitration. No had reverhees o0rred ~ih the Hon N.
BLAME that Vany Of ries danoord should super.
tho verdict of the Judge of Valparaiso such
controversy would yield to arbitration"
When we say misunderstanding between
Mr.. BLAINE and Mr.. MONT. We mean mis-
understanding alleged by Mr.. BLAINE.
Accompanying the PERE1RA reply Is q
long note from Mr.. MONT to Mr.. BLAINE. in
which the Chilian Minister at Washington
makes this distinct statement:
In tho course Of our conferences We sometimes CON-
sdsrsd the in which the Of the United
States and that of Chill should fall to agree when the
Investigation should DO term mated and the two Gov
hnvA f,-pu fSnIr Apa avA
s1resd ai arbitration tho best mems Of settling
the difficulty and advancing further in this eonea-
tory spirit formally agreed that he di6~eroo A!
might a,is. ahosld Be sJmiHed to arbitration
This agreement TO accept arbitration has been the
basis OF several OF our especially that Of
the 18th inst. and autecedent or fact interfering
Herewith has come to my knowledge On the
tIary. took occasion to inform you jan that my
Government authorized mo to conclude agreement
looking to arbitration. and my Government subsequent
ly approved the 0greenens trsuded BY ~ih VOW Of
which also Informed you"
But Mr.. MONTHS personal understanding
Of what Mr.. BLAINE had formally agreed to.
In tho way Of arbitration In the event Of an
unsatisfactory termination Of the valpa-
raiso investigation. is distinctly contra
dicted in letter from Mr.. BLAINE. written
day before yesterday. which also has gone
to Congress with the documents. Mr..
BLAINE says:
"Your oEer OF arbitration never unconditional
and exact Had Il been, would have insisted your
reducing to writing for It would have been my duty
TO lay II before tl,e President for confederation.
But was unable to report n mere verbal exchange
Of views between agreement to arbitrats You
did say to ne several times that In that distant future
when tho Gillian court should render Its judgment
II the United States should not Do satisfied with tho
two countries could arhitrats tho matter, and even
han n W ntnu adj At
unfairly propose arbitration herself but would do so
whom requested BY some friendly power take that
course.
"You do pretend that word was ever written Of
the agreement which you say wo made between u.s.
II Is impossible that ever sought to bind the Gov.
eminent Of tho United States In that way. II would
have been In tho highest degree imprudent for me to
do So"
It may seem at first glance that this
difference Of understanding. so to term 1t.
between Mr.. MONT and Mr.. BLAINE as to
the final arbitration Of the whole question.
Is matter OF trifing Importance In view
OF the conciliatory tone Of Chlli's reply and
the prospect Of peaceful and satisfactory
settlement OF the controversy.
But 1t must be remembered that the
Gillian Governments understanding Of
what Is meant in Washington by arbitra-
ttOu Iltte Uccu uOIiSCu IIOIu
communications: that Mr.. MoNTT processes
to have derived his understanding OF the
scope Of the proposed arbitration from Mr..
BLAME; and that Mr.. BLAINE distinctly
and almost Indignantly denies having en-
tered into any agreement for arbitration
such as Mr.. MoNTT reported to his Govern
ment at Santiago.
We note these things because they have q
direct and perhaps an important bearing
upon the main object to be attained. That
Is, not the humiliation OF Chill. but the in
surance OF respect for the American flag
and uniform In every part Of the world.
Chili's Negotiations for New ships.
The Navy Department recently received
reports that Chill was trying to buy OF the
LAIRDs at Birkenhead and the ARMSTRONG;
at Elswick several war vessels now under
construction for the Argentine Republic or
other nations.
1t Is not pretended. OF course. that the
Argentine Government or any other Is In
completely with this scheme. The sugges-
RI. A.