The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-02-05

PRESIDENT HARRISON.
factory response TO the note by which the at
tention of Chill was called to this incident II
these just expectations should be disappointed
or further needless delay intervene L will by a
special message bring this matter again to the
attention OF congress for such action as may be
necessary"
In my opinion the time has now come when /
should lay before the congress and the country
the correspondence between this government
and the government OF Chill, from the time of
the breaking ont Of the revolution against Bal
maceda, together with all other facts in the pos
session of the executive department
relating TO this matter. The diplo-
matte correspondence is herewith trans
mitted, together with some correspondence be-
tween the naval officers for the time in COM
mand in Chilian waters and the secretary Of the
navy, and also the evidence taken at the Mare
Island navy yard since the arrival of the Balti-
more at San Francisco. 1 do not deem it neces-
sary in this communication to attempt any full
analysis of the correspondence or OF the evil
dence. A brief re-stat, ment of the information
al questions involved and the reasons why the
response OF the Chilian government is unsatiS-
factory is all deem necessary.
1t may be well at the outset TO say that what
ever may have been said in this country or in
Chilli in criticism OF Mr.. Egan, our minister at
Santiago, the true history of this excited period
In Chilian affairs, from the outbreak of the rev.
olution until this time, discloses no act on the
part Of Mr.. Egan unworthy of his position or
that could justly be the occasion of serious ami
madversion or criticism He has, think on
the whole. borne himself, in very trying circum-
stances, with dignity, discretion and courage,
and has conducted the correspondence with
ability, courtesy and fairness
II is worth while also at the beginning to say
that the right OF Mr.. Egan TO give shelter in the
legation 10 certain adherents TO the Balmacedan
government who applied TO him for asylum has
not been denied by the Chilian authorities, nor
has any demand been made for the sur
render Of those refugees. That there was
urgent need of asylum is shown by
Mr.. Egan's note Of August q, 1891, describ-
ing the disorders that prevailed in Santiago,
and the evidence Of Capt Schley as TO the pill
lage and violence that prevailed at Valparaiso.
The correspondence discloses however, that
the request OF Mr.. Egan for a safe conduct from
the country, in behalf OF these refugees, was de-
MED The precedents cited by him in the cor
respondence, particularly in the case OF the
revolution in Peru in 1865 did not leave the Chill
ian government in position TO deny the right of
asylum TO political refugees and seemed very
clearly 10 support Mr.. Egans contention that
a safe conduct 10 neutral territory was a neces-
sary and acknowledged incident of the asylum.
These refugees have very recently, without
formal safe conduct, but by the acquieScence
the Yorktown, and are now being conveyed to
Callao, Peru.
This incident might be considered wholly
closed but for the disrespect manifested toward
this government by the close and offensive po-
lice surveillance OF the legation premises, which
was maintained during most of the period of the
stay Of the refugees therein After the date of
my annual message, and up to the time
Of the transfer OF the refugees TO
the Yorktown, the legation premises seem
10 have been surrounded by police
in uniform and police agents or detectives in
citizens dress. who extensively Scrutinized per
sons entering or leaving the legation and on one
or two occasions arrested members of the min
ister's family. Commander Evans, who, by
my direction, recently visited Mr.. Egan at
Santiago, in his telegram to the navy
department described the legation as "a
veritable prison" and states that the
police agents or detectives were, after his ar
rival, withdrawn during his stay. 1t appears,
further, from the note OF Mr.. Egan Of November
20, 1891, that, on one occasion at least these po
lice agents, whom he declares 70 be known 10
him. invaded the legation premises, pounding
on its windows and using insulting and threat
ening language towards persons therein. This
breach OF the right of a minister 10 free
dom from police espionage and restraint
seems TO have been so fragrant that the Argen-
tine minister, who was dean Of the diplomatic
corps, having observed IL, felt called upon TO
protest against it 10 the Gillian minister Of
foreign affairs The Gillian authorities have,
Rs will be observed from the correspondence,
charged the refugees and the inmates
1T the legation with insulting the
police; but it seems 10 me incredible that
men whose lives were in jeopardy and whose
safety could only be secured by retirement and
auietness, should have sought 10 provoke col
ision which could only end il their destruc tion,
or 10 aggravate their condition by intensifying
the legation as to require Mr. Egan TO appeal TO
the minister of foreign affairs.
But the most serious incident disclosed by the
correspondence is that Of the attack upon the
sailors Of the Baltimore in the streets of Val
paraiso on the 10th Of October last In my an
nual message, speaking upon the information
then in my possession, said:
$50 far as 1 have yet been able 70 learn. no
other explanation Of this bloody work has been
suggested than that il had its origin in hostility
10 these men as sailors Of the United States,
wearing the uniform Of their government and
not in any individual act or personal aninos-
fty."
We have now received from the Gillian gov
ernment an abstract OF the conclusions OF the
fiscal general upon the testimony taken by the
Judge of crimes in an investigation which was
made 70 extend over nearly three months. 1
very much regret 10 be compelled TO say that
this report does not enable me TO modify the
concIoSlon aHHOunOSO IL Lug onnd"i lieSsASe-
am still Of the opinion that our sailors were
assaulted, beaten, stabbed and killed not for any
thing they or any one OF them had done,
but for what the government of he United
States had done or was charged with having
done, by its civil officers and naval commanders.
II that be the true aspect of the case, the injury
was to the government Of the United States.
not these poor sailors who were assaulted in a
manner so brutal and so cowardly.
Before attempting 10 give an outline OF the
facts upon which this conclusion rests, think
it right 10 say word or two upon the legal as
pect Of the case.
sSe Baltimore was in the harbor Of Valpa-
rais5 by virtue Of that general invitation which
nations are held 70 extend 10 the war vessels
of other powers with which they have friendly
relations This Invitation. 7 think. mnst be
held ordinarily 70 embrace the privilege OF such