The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-02-13
ON THE BRITISH PRESS.
ITS ATTITUDE DURING THE
GILLIAN TROUBLE.
The Chiiians Seem to Have Changed
Their Minds Concerning Egan-Om-
cIals Favor His Return as United
states Minister.

"ASHINtION, feD. 4-lfOl. tOluWln
Smith, the well known English writer,
who lives at Toronto, made a few re
marks at ii dinner. given last night
to Captain Schiey of the Baltimore.
He expressed his regret as au English
man at the repeated utteranceS of a
portion Of the British press respecting the
CHILEAN affair. Speaking Of the criticism
of the presidents message on The Chilian
question, Mr.. Smith said that to him it
was entirely temperate, digniiied and log
ically conclusive. Nobody, he was sure.
who was on the spot. could have reaSona-
bly, found Il fault with the spirit and
bearing of the American people during
the diSI ute with Chilli. There was no vic.
lence, no aggressivcness, no appearance
OF u propensity To display superior power
by trampling on the weaker nation. No
desire had been shown but that of uphold
ing international law, to vindicatc which
was the duty of the American people. not
only to themselves but TO the whole com
munity of nations. The weakness Of an
offending power may be n reason, Mr.
Smith said, for long suffering and lOrbear
ance on the part of the strong, but it
cannot be deemed an unlimited license TO
break the law, otherwise the world would
be at the mercy of weak powers. Did
England hesitate the other day to enforce
the law against Portugali he asked No
needless humiliation had been inflicted on
Chill. nothing had been exacted from her
but that recognition of public right which
not the will of the American people but the
law of nations required.
Captain Schley also spoke briefly. lie
said the steamer Baltimore had always
stood as a representative of the great
power under whose flag il sailed. He re-
ferred TO the efficiency of the crew of the
vessel and said that il circumstance dur
ing the late Gillian affair had required it,
he thought the members of the crew would
have acted i'll such u manner
as to merit the approval of the govern
ment. The cloud of war mad now blown
over, the captain said. but the affair had
proved very suggestive of the fact that
war was liable to come upon the nation at
any time. He hoped it would serve as u
warning to the people and demonstrate
that it was time to consider means how
best to protect the country and its flag.
Chilli Showing Regard for Egan.
New YORK. Feb 3.-The following is a
cable dispatch from Valparaiso printed in
the Herald this morning:
THE resolution introduced in the house
of representatives at Washington request.
ing President Harrison to recall Minister
Egan, was read with interest in Valparaiso
and Santiago. Surprise was expressed in
many quarters that such n resolution
should have been presented to congress.
"Without entering into n defence of
Minister Egan / can safely assert that
there has been an active change in pu bile
feeling toward him in this country since
the settlement of the d Diplomatic
A-- n.
to be better understood and his
services in protecting many prominent
members of the congressional party from
the vengeance of the late dictator and in
granting an asylum to the refugees vino
sought the American legation after the
downfall of Balmaceda are now generally
recognized as being both humane and
proper.
A the time during the last year from
ten to thirty refugees, representing one or
the other of the factions of this country,
have been quartered in the American le-
CATION. They have been entertained and
fed entirely at the expense of Minister
Egan. lie refused to accept u penny from
those who sought his protection. whether
they were CongressiOnalists or Balma-
cedits. He has expended nearly as much
as one years salary In behalf OF the
refugees whom he has kept in the legation.
1.-The public sentiment of Chill appears
to be getting acquainted with these facts
and this accounts for the revulsion OF feel.
ing in regard TO Minister Egan's recall.
Eduardo Matte, who is now president of
the chamber Of deputies, and many others
whose ives were saved by Minister Egan
during Balmaceda's dictatorship, favor
his retention here as the Ameri
&C., ~ IL
ister OF foreign affairs, who instructed
Minister Montt at Washington TO ask for
MI. Egan's recall, now appears very
friendly to him and so does Senior Blanco
We'll, the intendente at Valparaiso. Aug.
ustin Edwards, whose life and property
were saved through Egan's influence, is
the only prominent members of the old
Congressional party who now seems unxi.
Gus to have MIR. Egan called home.
81 asked Mr.. Egau to-day what he
thought Of the resolution introduced nj
Washington requesting his recall.
"'I court u full investigation of nl my
acts said Mr. Egan. 4 nave no fear that
anything detrimental TO my reputation
would be discovered. My actions through
out these difficulties has been approved by
Secretary Blaine and the administrator
at Washington.
"A crowd of young men last nigh
sacked the office Of La Repub!!ca, Il news
paper which has vigorously opposed thu
present regime. The police were no
present to afford any protection.
During the past week there have beer
many large fires in Santiago from which
losses estimated at 8? ,O0l 900 have resulted
Insurance agents believe they are started
by incendiaries.