The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-29
The Note of MONT to Blaine.
LEGATION OF CHILE,


WARRINGTON CITY, January %
Sir: i have had the honor to receive your
note OF yesterday with the enclosure which Won
have been pleased to transmit to me referring to
the instructions sent to Egan on the day pre-
vious 10 the conferences with which you have
been pleased to favor me. l have been informed
that Immediately after the occurrence OF the
events OF October l6, at Valparaiso, which my
government most sincerely deplored, the Judi
cal authorities began an investigation, which
was necessary to throw light upon the facts anu
10 determine and punish the guilty parties.
From the antecedents which the government
Of Chile was able TO collect at the very outset il
appeared that the disorder of October 10 began
ey quarrel among drunken sailors, which as
surned considerable proportions owing 20 the
condition OF the locality IN which it originated,
and that the police performed their duty by re-
establishing tranquility and placing the per-
hcss who seemed 90 have been concerned in the
disorder at the disposal OF the court. The gov
eminent OF Chile has no data authorizing il to
th.nk that the quarrel was due To any dislike of
the uniform of the United States, or that the
police failed TO perform their duty. On the con-
trary, it is well-demoustrated fact that sailors
get intoxicated when they go ashore, after hsv-
ing been aboard their vessel for a long time.
This is also quite natural
Tie intoxiCation OF seamen and the disorders
to which ii gives rise, although they may as
sumo serious proportions and occasion very Ia
meniab.e of1enses, as unfortunately was the case
~ Valparaiso on October Is, cannot be charged
q the nation in whose service are the men who
take ptrt in the disorder. although they GER
'ainiy DO not justify ofienses committed during
sucA disorder The government OF Chile could
rot, however. form final opinion concerning
the nature Of the occurrences ia question. or as
u whether the police had or had not improperly
participated thereia, or had failed to perform
their duty. until the termination OF the Judicial
~ if,ff saA oil
pushed forward IS speedily as compatible with
the provisions of the law.
With the obligation Of collecting all the ele-
nents al proof that il was possible 10 collect,
I'm order TO throw fun light upou the matter,
and with the necessity Of Furnishing the perpe-
TRAITORS OF tie outrage which had been commit
ted, and which had been in part suffered BY
persons In the service OF friendly nation, IL
WAS the desire and duty Of the government OF
Chile 70 discover ttc truth, Ia order to make
It's future proceedings conform thereto, and in
order that the United states government might
- satisfied that nothing had been neglected
III order TO do TAU justice. You were pleased
with your high sense az Fectituae TO remark 10
ne that this proceeding of the covernmen; OF
Chic was correct, and although Won desired
that the judicial investigation might be brousht
&c close with as little delay as possible. Won
understood that Il was necessary that the ofdi
nary legal proceedings. which Sre not as ranfa
have taken occasion 81 sandry times to in
form yea Of what the Chilean authorities were
doing 10 bring the investigation % = close IN
the criminal trial, held at Valparaiso, not oa,v
have landssnen been heard, but also seauen OF
the Baltimore. Both have been confronted with
each other; the reports OF physicians and ex-
pSrts have been called for; the opinioa Of the
surgeon of the cruiser has likewise been IN
yoksd and, in word. nothing has
been neglected that could tend 10
bring the whole trutA 20 light. The scaunca
o. the Baltimore made their statement with tho
assistance OF sn interpreter designated by them
selves, who was an ofieer OF the cruiser. SO that
the oath taken by witnesses. their conformation
with each other, the reports q the experts con
cer8ing the esuse snd nature OF the wounds.
and The hearing granted both the Chileans and
Americans 81 that ST might present their con-
plsints and charges and De heard in their own
behalf, give tnooatestsb,e authority 70 the trial
held al Valparaiso In the course OF oar con
ferences, We have sometimes considered the
case one IA which tho government of the
United States sad that OF chile should
.All 10 agree when the Investigation