Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-26

men had been wholly the result OF an acci-
dent in a Chilean port the incident was
grave enough to have called for some puDllc
expression of sympathy and regret from the
local authorities.
1t is not enough to say that the affair was
ilaamentable, lam for humanity would require
ing OF our men had been justihable. 1t IS not
enough to say that the incident Is regre stea,
coupled with the statement that tine anair
was not of an unusual character in ports
wnere foreign sailors are accustomed 10
meet" 1t is not for a generous and sincere
government to seek for words OF small or
equlvocal meaning in which to convey to a
friendly power an apology for an offense as
atroclous as this. In the case of the assauis
| by mob in New Orleans upon the Spanish
consulate in 1851, Mr.. Webster wrote to the
| Spanish Minister, Mr. Calderon, that the
acts complained of were ga disgraceful and
nagrant breach of duty and propriety," ana
tnet his Government "regrets them as
deeply as Minister Calderon or his Govern
ment could possibly dos" that these acts
nave caused the President great pain, ana
ne 1hlnks proper acknowledged IS que
70 Her Majesty" He invited the spanish
Consul to return to his post, guaranteeing
protection, and offered to salute the Spanish
| nag III the Consul should come in Spanish
vessel. Such treatment by the Govern
ment of Chile of this assault would have
been more creditable to the Chilean authori-
| ties, and much less can hardly be sat1sfac-
tory to government that values its dig
| n1ty and honor.
In our note of October % last. which ap-
| pears in the correspondence, after receiving
the report of the Board OF Oficers ap-
pointed by Captain schley to investigate
the affair, the Chilean Government was adj
vised Of the aspect which it then assumed,
and called upon for any facts in its possession
that might tend to modify the unfavorable
impressions which our report had created.
1t IS very clear from the correspondence
that, before the receipt of this note, the ex-
animation was regarded by the police au-
thorities as practically closed. 1t was, how
ever, reopened and protracted through a
period of nearly three months. We might
justly have complained of this unreasona-
Bile delay, but in view of the fac, that the
Government of chile was still provisional;
hopeful of a friendly termination, 1 have
awaited the report which has but recently
been made
On the 2lst instant caused to be commun-
icated to the Government OF Chile, by the
American Minister at Santiago, the conclu-
sions of this Government after full consid-
Grafton of all the evidence and of every sug-
gestion affecting this matter, and to these
conclusions 1 adhere. They were stated as
follows:
"First-That the assault is not relieved of
the aspect which the early information OF
the event gave it, viz: That of an attack
upon the uniform of the United States
Navy. having its origin and motive in feel
ing of hostility to this Government and
not in any act of the sailors or of any of
them.
"Second-That the public authorities of
Valparaiso f1agrantly failed in their duty to
protect our men and that some of the police
and of the Chilean soldiers and sailors were
themselves guilty of unprovoked assault
upon our sailors before and after arrest" He
1.-THE President) thinks the preponderance OF
the evidence and the inherent probabilities
lead to the conclusion that Riggin was killed
by the police or soldiers.
"Third-ThaJ he (the Presdent) is there
fore compelled to bring the case to the posi-
tion taken by this Government in the note
OF Mr.. Wharton of October % last and ask
quatc reparation for the injury done this
Government"
Matta's Grossly Insulting Note.
In the same note the attention of the
Chilean Government was called to the offen-
sive character of the note addressed by Mr..
Malta, its Minister of Foreign Affairs, TO Mr..
Montt, its siinister at this capital, on the
llth ut. This dispatch was not officially
communicated to this Government, but as
Mr.. Montt was directed to translate it and
give to the press of this country it seemed
to me that it could not pass without official
notice. 1t was not only undiplolnatic, but
grossly insulting TO our naval officers, and
to the Executive Department, as 1t directly
imputed untruth and insincerity to the re-
ports of the naval officers and to the official
Communications made by the Executive De-
partment to Congress. 1t will be observed
that have notified the Chilean Governments
that unless this note is at once withdrawn
and an apology as public as the offanse
made will terminate diplomatic relations.
The request for the recall of Mr.. Egan
upon the ground that he was not persona
gruta was unaccompanied by any sugges-
tion that could properly be used in support
of it, and infer that the request is based
upon the official acts of Mr.. Egan which
have received the approval of the Govern
ment. But however that may be, could
not consent to consider such question
until it had first been settled whether our
correspondence with Chile could be con-
Quoted upon a basis of mutual respect.
In submitting these papers to Congress for
that grave and patriotic consideration which
the questions involved demand, desire to
saw that am of the opinion that the de-
mands made of Chile by this Government
should be adhered to and enforced. If the
dignity as well as the prestige and influence
of the United States, are not to be wholly
sacrificed, we must protect those who in
foreign ports display the flag and wear the
brutality and death. inflicted in resentment
of the acts of their Government and not for
any fault of their own.
1t has been my desire in every way to
cultivate friendly and intimate relations
with all the governments of this hemis-
phere. We do not covet their territory; we
desire their peace and prosperity. We look
for no advantage in our relations with them,
EXCEPT the increased exchanges of commerce
upon basis of mutual benefit We regret
eyery civil contest tnat disturbs their peace
ana pardlEZ6S Iilelr ueNeiOpuent, anu are
always ready to give our good offices for the
restoration of peace.
Americans viii Be Protected.
1t must however, be understood that this
Government, while exercising the utmost
forbearance toward weaker powers, will ex-
tend its strong and adequate protection to
its citizens, to it's officers and to its humblest
sailor, when made the victims of wanton-
ness and crtelty and resentment. not of
their personal misconduct, but of the official
acts of their Government.
Upon Information received that Patrick
Shields, an Irishman, and probably a British
subject, but at the time fireman of the
American steamer Keeweenaw, in the har-
Dor of Valparaiso for repairs, had been sub
jected to personal injuries in that city,
largely by the police, directed the Attor-
new General to cause the evidence of the
officers and Grew of that vessel to be taken