The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-01-23
The Gillian Affair.

The Gillian Affair.
We have not regarded the Chilian affai
as A serious matter until the past few days
NOT believing for moment that this grea
and powerful government, with about sixty
seven millions of people, would declare wa
upon sister republic, with population o
only three millions, except upon the mos
fragrant provocation. But affairs have as
sumed a serious aspect and war Is regarded
by many as probable.
The whole trouble has arisen because OF
the indiscretion and the iEtermeddllng III
CHILEAN affairs by our Minister to Chill
Mr.. Egan. During the recent civil war In
Chill Mr.. Egan openly showed an interest
in the cause of Balmaceda, the usurper, as
against the people, and made his official
quarters an asylum for refugees. lie har-
bored numbers of them. and this lncensed
the Chilians. And their anger was still
further aroused by the pursuit and capture
by United States war vessels OF the ltata,
belonging to the insurgents, and which was
laden with arms to aid their cause. The
hatred of Americans became intense among
the people of Valparaiso. The sailors oil
the Baltimore were apprised Of this feeling,
and were warned not to remain in the city
after night. This friendly warning by
officers of banks, where our sailors got their
money changed, and at other places, was
UNDECIDED, and Il large party OF them went
ashore and were attacked Two were Killed
and number more severe! y handled. The
attack was deliberately invited. 1T was
rash for them to 90 into the city, knowing
the hostile feeling toward them, and the
officers are censurable for granting them
the privilege. OF course they had right
to 20 into the city, and under ordinary
circumstances it would be the duty OF this
government to demand reparatlon for the
injury done them. But the sailors had no
special business in Valparaiso, and it was in
spirit of bravado they did invade it, be-
cause they knew of the i'll feeling toward
Americans and were warned by friends not
to do it.
Chill is small power, and a sister re-
public Instead of provoking hostllltles
with her. the most cordial relations should
be cultivated. This government should
encourage her people in maintaining IA re-
publican form Of government. When Min
lister Egan was found to be sympathizlng
with the usurper Balmaceda, he should have
been recalled, and for his turning the
American legation into an asylum for po-
litical refugees, this government In justice
owed an apology for the unwarrantcd IN
reference in their internal affairs.
Minister Egan was neither recalled nor
was an apology extended for his otficious-
ness. On the contrary this government
made haste to demand an apology and in
demuity for the attack on our sailors, for
getting that when Italian subjects were
lyuched in New Orleans we refused to
render any satisfaction to the Italian gov
ernment. We have been insisting on
compliance with our demands, not even
waiting for an investigation by the CHILEAN
courts of the attack upon our sailors. And
from the beginning of the controversy en-
ergetic preparations for war have been going
on. There does not seem to have been any
other result anticipated, or desired Pres
ident Harrison has become impatient.
Even the impetuous Blaine was not swift
enough and he has taken matters in his
own hands. in IA measure There must be
something back of his action-Some imptl-
ling cause. There has been no public SEN
timent to spur him on There is no pop
ular demand to revenge the attack ON our
sailors Public sentiment, on the contrary,
has been averse to war. We have had
enough. of that, with homes in mourning,
and crowded cemeteries, and manned and
crippled soldiers, and long lists of pension
ers and burdensome national, state, county
and municipal debts. Our people only
want war as a last resort Every honor
able means of settlement should be tried
before hostilities are resorted 10, particularly
toward sister republic and an insignificant
power as compared to this government.
In the absence of any public pressure
being brought to bear upon the President,
the cause of his haste in the CHILEAN affair
and the energetic naval preparations can
not be understood. Can it be founded
upon his personal ambition? Docs he de-
sire to bring matters to Il crisis that his
prospects for denomination aud election may
be frightened? If not, where ran the
cause be found? 1t would be a serious
charge to make against the President, but
people will draw their own conclusions in
the absence of authentic and reasonable de
clarations by Mr.. Harrison.
Reelection of Senator German.
Hon. A. p. German was reelected United