Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-01-30
Important Points in the Diplomatic
Correspondence.

from the Deoartn mt o. State comprises
the details of all thu events BE- ginning with
the Balmace la insarrection, up TO the pres-
ent time. Concerning the Itata affair, Ne.
Ezan reports tue acting Minister of Foreign
Affairs as admitting that the Unitsi States
eouid not have taken any other position in
regard to that vessel, and that a bitter feel
ing was being fomented by thu English
During the negotiations for peace. Mr.. Eyan
had instructions from the State d spsrtmeut
to insist that the revolutionist ENJOYS have
the ordinary protection Of flag of truce;
and accordingly he protested against the
order OF Nj. Godoy that their safe conduct be
withdrawn. This order was disavowed by
President Balmaceda
On August 20 Mr.. Egan wrote that Lear
ing ola reported threat TO search the legation
Tor refugees, he had personally notified the
Government thst he would discuss the
question of asylum on proper basis, but
be would shoot any one trying to search
the legation. The CHILEAN President
assured him direct that there was
no such intention. Later on, Mr.. Eyan
telegraphed the particulars of the surround
ing of the American legation with secret
ponce, the arrest OF twenty persons FOR en-
tering the Legation, and the arrest of two OF
the legation servants, against which Mr.
Egan had protested. The espionage on thu
legation was kept up, but no further arrests
were made.
Mr.. Egan reported that it had been init
mated to him that TO ayoidpersonal unpopu-
larity and Inconvenience, he ought TO have
the refugees leave the legation and seek con
cealmeut elsewhere; he would not adopt this
course because OF its inhospitality and inhu-
manity. Mr.. Egan commsnted on the very
different treatment accorded the refugees at
other legations Minister Malta twice re-
fused a safe conduct to the refugees
On October Mr.. Eagan was advised that
President Harrison desired to establish and
maintain the most friendly relations with
Chile; but the right of asylum having been
tacitly allowed to other legations and exer-
cise1 by our Minister with the old Govern
ment for the protection of the adj
herents OF the Congressional party,
the President regarded the application
OF another rule and the manifestation of
disrespect to the legation OF the United
States as the manifestation of an unfriendly
spirit. Mr.. Egau was instructed to prevent
abuse of the right of asylum, and to
limit the communications of those enjoying
it with the outside world to necessary and
innocent matters.
Minister Malta assured Mr. Ezan that no
disrespect was intended TO the legation, and
that the police must have misunderstood
their orders. He promised an investigation.
The Americans arrested at the legation were
Charles Hillnlan, an engineer; J. o.
% OldueI, u CDIuuilsetDH n6ICuauJ
twice arrested, and Mr.. Raycroft.
Later, Minister Malta again, ex-
pressed regret at the action OF the police,
who, he said, should have left access to the
legation free; but he refused safe conduct TO
the refugees on the ground that it would be
an unjustifiable irregularity, though he said,
il it was possible, he would grant it as a
proof of amity to the legation
Mr.. Egan in reply quoted international
usage and the practice or Chile in 1866. Mr..
Egan also notttiel Senior Malta that he
would give the facts to his Government
for decision, and that the ''interpre-
tation of the United States OF the
refusal of an act Of slight courtesy
and consideration cannot be cause of sur
prise" A few days later a public meeting
was called to denounce the Unitel States
legation, and to request the delivery OF the
refugees. Ghe Government sent squadron
of cavalry to protect the legation.
Mr.. Egan, up to November ID, had spent
5000 in entertaining the refugees On
November 16 he complained that the secreA
police. while drunk, had used insulting
language to the refugees from the street.
10 this Senior Malta replied that the
disturbers were not police spies. He
charged that employees of the legation ''com-
mitted indiscretions which might provoke
replies and reprisals not pleasing to the
rights or decorum of anybody" In further
charges and Minister Malta insisted
that the disturbances grew out of
the conduct of the people connected with
the legation and the refugees. Reporting
this to the department. Mr.. Eyan said that
every complaint of his had been met with
these insinuations. But no direct charge
had been made, for the good reason that no
such iudiscretions had been committed
Mr.. Egan called on the newly -elected Presi-
dent Montt November 8, and congratulated
him. He was cordially received, and Presi-
dent Montt begged him to convey TO the
United States his warmest acxno wledg-
ments.
On January 10 Mr. Egan reported the
transfer of the last five refugees to the York
town. accompanied by the refugees from the
Spanish legation and the Spanish and Ital-
ian Ministers.
The first information Of an attack on the
sailors of the Baltimore was sent by MIR.
Egan on October lS two days after il
occurred. He said it was the general inn
preston that the attack was unprovoked and
premeditated. He said further that he
understood that an attack made on some
German sailors some weeks before in which
one was killed, was made because the
Chileans mistook the Germans for United
States sailors.
The message from President Harrison in
structing Mr. Egan to inform the Govern
ment that the United States had no doubt
prompt and full reparation would be offered
II the facts were as reported, has been pub
lished heretofore. So also has the reply Of
Minister Malta TO the effect that ''the
United States formulated demands and ed
vanced threats that, without being cast back
with acrimony, were not acceptable nor
could they be accepted in that case or any
other OF like nature"
On the receipt of this, November 1st Mr..
Blaine instructed Mr. Egan to claim the
privilege Of reading the paper which the
American sailors had signed in secret in a
language they did not understand and with
out being accompanied by counsel. and 10
see that no one from the Baltimore testified
except in tho presencs of a friend acting as
counsel. This request was denied, but Senior
Malta promised to submit the result Of the
investigation when completed.
report from the intendsnte OF Valparaiso
said that the polics and soldiers only tried 10
restore peace, AMI charged that the United
States sailors were armed. In reply to
/ this Capt Schley said that the fact that the
mob so far outnumbered the sailors, and that
the sailors had, when arrested, only few
pocket-knives, is refutatiOn Of tness state
/ ments.
I In another letter, Captain Schley calls at
1 tention TO the discharge OF sailors arrested,
no proof OF guilt being found. Captain
| Scutey also gives q Attdiiel 8CSOuub "a Tug
affair, which has been publised heretofore.
I Captain Schley, in his report. says that he
/ can testify personally to the sobriety, order
1 illness ami good behavior and politeness OF
I his men 70 the Chilean authorities, half
I hour before the assault took place
4 November :, Mr.. Eyan reported thu bru-
Z tai treatment Of Patrick Shield, fireman
1 of the U. $. steamship Kewaenaw and an
American citizen arrested bv the authorities
4 Of Valparais9 char gel with drunkenness.
/ He was in a serious condition physically
/ from this treatment. Shiel1ss claim for
/ 5000 indemnity for injuries was transmitted
to Senior Ma ia.
Transmitting Correspondents about the
attack on the Baltimore sailors, Mr.. Ega1
commented a the fact that tue correspond
ence in this secret trial hal been publishsI
in the press with the evident intention OF
moiding public opinion, and that it hal re-
suited in some bitter attacks upon the
United States, its navy aud its legation.
Mr.. Egan in commenting on tbs report OF
the Judge of Grimes said that the testimony
OF important witnesses was not taken, and
that unjusti1a5le deductions were made
from the general evidence.
In reply to an inquiry OF Mr.. Ezan, Senior
Malta affirmed the corrsctness of his note and
said that no.sexplanation or dissertion" could
add TO its contents. Pending further, in
/ structions. Mr.. Egau notified the State De-
partmeat that he had suspended communica-
ton with the Chilean Foreign Oflos Decem-
der II. Mr. Eaan reported TO Secretary
Blaine that police and detectives continual
to surroun thu Dnitsl States and Span