Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-10
A CHlLEAN'S VIEWS.
BRITISH GOLD USED AGAINST THE
UNITED STATES.
An Interview With a Prominent South
American-He Discusses the Feeling
Against This Country.

Among the arrivals in Los Angeles
yesterday was Seflor Juan Rodigreuz, a
native of Chile, who has been making
tour of the United States for some time
past. Sehor Rodigreuz is cultured
gentleman who has spent much time in
Europe and has made thorough study
of the political movements, both at
home and abroad. He talked frankly
and freely with HERALD reporter on
the present troubles existing between
the United States and Chile.
"I am firmly of the opinion said
the gentleman, 'that the existing
troubles between the two nations will
be amicably and satisfactorily settled.
In the first place there is no substantial
reason why war should take place be-
tween the United States and Chile. 1t
would be folly on our part to do so, and
it would strike a blow at the
commercial relations now subsisting be-
tween the United States and South
American nations. Those Chileans who
engaged in the lawless riots there do not
represent the Chilean people. They are
the scum of the population, the floating,
shifting element, always so difficult to
hold in check, and particularly SO at
such a critical period as the lawless in
terregnum existing during the transition
from one government to another, as was
the case in Chile when the Baltimore
riots occurred.
"But there was deeper purpose un-
DERIVING that purpose" continued the
gentleman. From letters received
from trustworthy correspondents in
Chile l am satisfied that all
of the Tory party of England has been
brought to bear to torment trouble and
bitter feeling between Chile and the
United States. The pernicious methods
pursued by the Pitt ministry to break
down the power of France and injure
her commerce. 1 am now satisfied are be-
ing brought into play to check the
friendly feeling and the rapidly enlarg-
ing commercial relations between the
United States and South American
nations. The friendly feeling and de-
sire for closer commercial relations with
the United States del Norte received
great impetus during President Cleve-
lands administration.
"Of course this meant a serious blow
to the commercial interests of both
England and Germany, who for years
have practically held monopoly of the
South American trade-a trade of such
enormous value that England cannot
afford to relinquish without making
every possible effort to retain it. I am
satisfied that the present imbroglio, if
such it may be called, was inspired and
fomented by English agencies. l do
not think that this insidious movement
will stop with the present trouble, but
am convinced that an effort will be
made in all of the influential republics
of South America to engender bitter
feelings toward the people of the United
States. In this way England will seek
to retain the valuable trade relations
with US by ousting her most formidable
rival from the field.
"As far as the steady, substantial
class of Chileans are concerned, and
they of course largely outnumber the
small, lawless element that could be in
epired with prejudices by British gold,
they welcome with delight the growth
and extension of trade relations with
the United States. This is not alone
true of Chile, but also OF every South
American nation. A continuance of
dissensions between the United States
and Chile would only prove a loss to
both in the end.
"Chile is republic, and any move
ment to destroy our autonomy would be
abhorrent to the political institutions OF
the United States"