The National tribune., 1892-02-04
TuE CHILEAN MATTER.


IL is Characteristic Of the diplomacy of
that people that this concession was not
made until the very last moment possible
Had it been delayed "a, or at most, as hours,
il would have been, in all probability, en-
tirely toe late, for the country had become
very much out Of patience with the insolence
and delay. 1t was felt that the Presidents
forbearance had passed the limits required
from a much stronger TO a weaker power,
and that further delay would not only be
false and unjust 10 ourselves, but would
seriously injure our prestige among the Ma
tions Of the earth.
Congress was therefore in the mood to act
with the utmost promptness on the Presi-
dents message, and had not the Chilean an-
swer followed instantly on the heels OF the
message. war would have been declared at
once. There is no doubt that the Chileans
planned il this way. That is the character
Of their diplomacy. The whole world knew
that the President intended TO send in his
message when Congress assembled ut noon
Of Monday, Jan. %. This had been matter
Of comment and expectation for days and
weeks. Equally the whole world knew the
temper Of Congress, and that declaration
of war would almost inevitably follow the
formal statement by the President that the
resources OF diplomacy had been exhausted,
that the Executive branch could do no more
by the ordinary methods, and that it was
now the duty OF the Legislative branch TO
determine whether extraordinary measures
should be adopted. The Chileans decided to
be "awfully smart" They would maintain
their insolent attitude until the President
had said his last word, and then suddenly
flop into compliance before Congress could
act.
This may pass for shrewd diplomacy in
South America, but the rest Of the world is
likely to look upon it as tricky aud con-
temptible Chile has made a very great
mistake. Our confidence and friendship are
Of the utmost value 10 her. In the past we
have been Of great service to her, notably
when she was struggling for independence
and during her last war with Spain. IL is
inevitable that in the future our friendship
and good Offices viii be snrely needed by her,
especially if she does not amend her diplo-
matte policy, and attempts TO deal with
some Of the great powers Of Europe as tor
tuously an she has with us. But the remem-
brance Of this incident will have the effect
Of chilling any sympathy we would other
wise have with a sister American Republic
in difficulties We shall be very likely to
remember that, after having outrageously
insulted us, she paltered, shuilled and eyaded
for over three months, meanwhile adding
insults TO our highest officials and our Ma
tional character, and then when we had made
preparations 10 give her deserved chastise.
ment, she suddenly crouched at our feet
conceding everything-not because it was
right, but because she was desperately afraid
Remembering this, we are likely to look on
the spectacle with more satisfaction thar
sorrow when some other Nation shall tak'
her up by the nape Of the neck and give hel
q sound birching for her insolence.
So far as we are concerned the affair ha
ended most admirably. We have shown tina
we are ready 10 protect the humblest Of on
citizens with the entire power Of the Ma
ton, and that we will strike, and strik
hard, 10 maintain the dignity Of our Gag
Enough men and war material would hav
been put at the Presidents disposal 10 hav
conquered the whole Of South America,
that had become necessary. This fact Ia
not escaped the attention of other nations
and il will have a good effect in maxim
them wary Of offending a country the peopl
Of which are so ready and able TO resent a
affront. Our conduct Of the dispute wit
Chile has been entirely creditable. Their
has been no semblance Of bullying OF blu
ter on our side. We kept constantly in min
her great disproportion in size, and wei
much less peremptory than we would hay
been in dealing with England, France {
Germany. We stated our position in WORD
= studiously considered, with the view Of Il
least possible wounding Of the ChiIes
national pride. We maintained the cou
teOus temper Of our diplomatic intercOur
: in the face Of the most exasperating repli
3 from Chile, and we gave fun credit TO all b
shifts aud sYasiOns until three long mont
bad elapsed, when the President brought Il
matter 10 a crisis by a communication th
: was dignifed, courteous, but entirely u
mistakRble. The whole makes a page
our history that we can read with enti
satisfaction.
THE COMMUNICATION IN GEO
GA.
Ar Commander-in-Chief Palmer has paid
official visit 10 the Animal Fncampme