Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-01-30

vi tH6 e1sO lnsts, caused to be COM
muiiicatcd to the government of Chile.
by the American minister at Santiago.
the conclusions of this government after
full consideration of all the evidence
ana OF every suggestion affecting this
matter, and to these conclusions ad-
mere. They were stated as follows:
"First-That the assault is not re-
lieved of the aspect which the early in
formation Of the event gave it. viz:
That OF an attack upon the uniform of
the United States navy, having its origin
and motive in a feeling of hostility to
this government and not in any act of
the sailors or of any of them.
s'Second-That the public authorities
of Valparaiso fiagrantly failed in their
duty to protect our men, and that some
of the police and some Of the Chilean
soldiers and sailors were themselves
guilty of Unprovoked assaults upon our
sailors before and after arrest He fthe
PRESIDENT thinks the preponderance of
the evidence and the inherent probabili-
ties lead to the conclusion that Riggin
was killed by the police or soldiers.
eThird-That he 1.-THE PRESIDENT is
therefore compelled to bring the case
back to the position taken by this gov
eminent in the note of Mr.. Wharton of
Oct. 20 last and to ask for a
suitable apology and for some adequate
reparation for the injury done to this
government"
Matta's Offensive Note.
In the same note ths attention of the
Chilean government was called to the
offensive character of a note addressed
by Mr.. Malta. its minister of foreign af-
fairs, to Mr.. Montt, its minister at this
capital, on the 18th ult.
This dispatch was not officially COM
municated to this government, but as
Mr.. Montt was directed to translate it
and give it to the press of this country,
it seemed to me that it could not pass
without official notice.
1t was not only undiplomatic but
grossly insulting to our naval officers
and to the executive depal tment, as it
directly imputed untruth and insincerity
to the reports of the naval officers and
to the official communications made by
the executive department to congress.
1t will be observed that have notified
the Chilean government that unless this
note is at once withdrawn and an apo.-
Ogy as public as the offense made will
terminate diplomatic relations.
The request for the recall of Mr.. Egan
upon the ground that he was not per-
soma grata was unaccompanied by any
suggestion that could properly be used
in support of it, and infer that the re-
quest is baseS upon official acts of Mr.
Egan whict have received the approval
of this government.
But, however that may be, could not
consent to consider such question until
it had first been settled whether our
(Tl,iIa aOJIl6 hQ
conduct ed on basis of mutual respect.
In submitting these papers to congress
for that grave and patriotic considera-
ton which the questions involved de-
mand, I desire to say that / am of the
opinion that the demand made of Chile
by this government should be adhered
to and enforced.
Uphold the Nations Dignity.
If the dignity as well as the prestige
and influence of the United States are
not to be wholly sacrificed we must pro-
tect those who in foreign ports display
the flag or wear the colors of this gov
eminent against insult, brutality and
death, inflicted in resentment of the acts
of their government and not for any
act of their own.
1t has been my desire in every way to
cultivate friendly and intimate relations
with all the governments of this hem
isphere.
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 ex-
changes of commerce upon basis of
mutual benefit.
We regret every civil contest that dis
turbs their peace and paralyZes their
development, and are always ready to
give our good offices for the restoration
of peace.
It must, however, be understood that
this government, while exercising the
utmost forbearance towards weaker
powers, will extend its strong and ade-
quate protection to its citizens, to its
officers, and to it's humblest sailor, when
made the victims of wantonless and
cruelty in resentment not of their per-
sonal misconduct, but of the official acts
of their government.
The Case of Fireman Shields.
Upon information received that Pat
rick Shields, an Irishman and probably
a British subject, but at the time fire
man of the American steamer Kewenaw.
in the harbor of Valparaiso for repairs,
had been subjected to personal injuries
in that city-largely by the police-I
directed the attorney general to cause
the evidences of the officers and crew of
that vessel to be taken upon its arrival
in San Francisco. That testimony is also
herewith transmitted.
The brutality and even savagery 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 testimony and by the
distressing condition of the man him
self when he was finally able to reach
his vessel
The captain of the vessel says: HE
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"
A claim for reparation has been made
in behalf of this man, for, while he was
not citizen of the United States, the
doctrine long held by us, as expressed in
the consular regulations, is:
'The principles which are maintained
by this government in regard to the pro-
lection as distinguished from the relief
of seamen are well settled.
sit is held that the circumstance that
the vessel is American is evidence that
the seamen on board are such; and IN
every regularly 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 inst, but in my opinion
I ought not to delay longer to bring
these matters to the attention of con-
gress for such action as may be deemed
- II