Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-26


Itwas not only undiplomatic, but grossly
insulting to our naval officers and to
the executive department, for it directly
imputed untruth and insncerity to the
reports of the naval officers and to the
official communications made by the ex-
ecutive to congress. 1t will be observed
that I have notified the Chilean govern
ment that unless this note is at once
withdrawn and an apology as public as
the offense made, will terminate diplo-
matte relations.
The request for the recall OF Mr.. Egan,
upon the ground that he is not per-
soma grata, was unaccompanied by anv
suggestion that could properly be used
in support of it, and infer that the re-
quest was based upon official acts of
Egan which received the approval OF
this government; but however that may
be, l could not consent to consider such
question until it had first been settled
whether our correspondence with Chile
could be conducted upon the basis of
mutual respect.
In submitting these papers to con-
gress, for that grave and patriotic con-
sideration which the questions involved
demanded, desire to say that l am OF
Chile by this government should be ad-
hered to and enforced. Ii the dignity,
as we'll 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 colors of this government
against insult, brutality and death in
ficted in resentment of the acts of their
a1f g, of
their own. 1t has been my desire in
every way to cultivate friendly and in
innate relations with all the govern
ments of this hemisphere. We do not
covet their territory we desire their
peace and prosperity. We look for
no advantage in our relations with them,
except an increase of exchanges of COM
merce, upon the basis of mutual bene-
fit. We regret every civil contest that
disturbs their peace and paralyzes their
development, and are always ready to
give our good Offices for the restoration
of peace. 1t must, however, be under
stood that this government while ex-
tending the utmost forbearance towards
weaker powers, will extend its strong
and adequate protection to its citizens,
to its officers and to its humblest sail
ors, and when made the victims of
wantonness and cruelty in resentment,
not their personal misconduct, but of
the official acts of their government.
Upon information received that Pat
rick Shields, an Irishman, and proba-
bly, British subject, but at the time
fireman of the American steamer
Keweenaw, in the harbor of Valparaiso
for repairs, had been subjected to per-
sonal injuries in that city, largely by
the police, directed the attorney gem
eral to cause the evidence of the officers
and crew of that vessel, to be taken
upon it's arrival in San Francisco, and
this testimony is also herewith trans
mitted. The brutality, and even say.
agery, of the treatment of these
poor men by the Chilean police, would
be Incredible, if the evidence of Shields
was not supported by other direct teeti-
mony and by the distressing condition
of the man himself when he was finally
able to reach his vessel. The captain
OF the vessel says: she came back
wreck, black from his neck to his hips,
from beating, weak and stupid, and is
still in kind of paralyzed condition and
has never been able to do duty since"
Claim for reparation has been made in
behalf of this man, for while he is not
CltlLCh Ol tlO OAlbCu ptbtCb, tIlS dOCLIlu6
SO long held by the United States, as ex-
pressed in our consular regulations, and
the principles which are maintained by
this government in regard to protection
as distinguished from the relief of sea-
men, is we'll settled. 1t is held that the
circumstances that the vessel is
American is evidence that the seamen
on board are ouch, and in every regu-
larly documented merchant vessel the
crew will find their protection in the
flag that covers them.
have as yet received no reply to our
note of the 21st, but in my opinion
ought not delay longer to bring these
matters to the attention of congress for
such action as may be deemed appro-
pirate.
[Signed] BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Jan. 25, 1892.