Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-03
LIGHT FROM CHILE.

In addition to the note from the Chilean
Government published the other day,
which was taken as an indication that
Chile is using the judicial methods pro-
vided by her laws to punish the attack on
the sailors of the Baltimore, evidence to
| the same effect is afforded by several
! columns of official Chilean communica-
| tions on the same subject These docu-
ments are not only important as showing
that the Chilean Government adopted the
| policy of thorough judicial investigation
and punishment of the offenders at the in
ception of the dispute, but are still more
significant in the reflex light which they
throw on the representations which have
been made to the United States concern
ing its attitude.
The Chilean position as stated in these
communications is that the riot broke out
in quarter of Valparaiso where such con-
flicts are not unknown; thatas soon as the
police knew of it, they fastened to the
scene and quelled the riot; that they took
the American sailors in charge and re-
leased them when they learned of the cir
cumstances; that they did their utmost to
afford protection to all peaceful persons;
and that this is testified to by all the wit
nesses from the Baltimore with
two exceptions. This, of course,
may be an er pdrte view of the
case against which Captain Schley's and
Mr.. Egan's version is entitled to hear
ing 1t is with regard to the attitude of
the Chilean Government toward investiga-
ton and punishment and the attitude of
our own representatives toward Chile
that the correspondence is most signifi-
can't
When the Chilean answer to the note of
the United States Government on the
Valparaiso riot was published, THE DIS
PATCH suggested that there might be
reason TO inquire into the strict accuracy
of Mr.. Egan's summary both of the CON-
munications of our Government and of
the reply of the Chilean Government. The
reference in the Chilean answer, to the
note of our Minister, as formulating de-
mands and making threats, which
the instructions of our Government did
not in any way do - suggested a
doubt as to whether Mr. Egan's person.
ality might not have been imposed on the
communication, and that in turn raised
the question whether the same in
f1uence might not have made the Chilean
reply appear less satisfactory than itreally
was. The documents Just published give
no new light on the first doubt, except
such as is furnished by their confirmation
of the second. A comparison of Mr.
Egan's summary of the Chilean reply of
October q with the full text of that docu-
ment shows that while he carefully in
cluded in his summary all the phrases that
would produce an unfavorabe impression
in this country, he omitted to telegraph
those which showeda desire to do justice.
Among the somewhat important features
of the reply which were thus omitted is
statement that the Chilean Minister "does
not doubt the sincerity, rectitude and
ability" of the investigation held on board
the Baltimore Sin reference to the lament
able occurrence" but that it is his duty to
await the investigation held under the
Chilean law; that 'from the day it (the
riot) took place, the administrative and
judicial authorities respectively have oc-
cupied themselves in discovering the par
ties who were TO blame and who should be
punished in the very deplorable event."
the explanation that the procedure under
the. judicial system of Chile up to that
point was secret, and for that reason the
department "has no knowledge and can
not transmit the facts concerning the
crime::" and the promise that as soon as it
has the information ''the undersigned will
have the honor and the obligation to trans
nit it to the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States, whose Government and whose
people have never disregarded nor ever
will disregard in other countries with
which they maintain friendly relations the
prerogat.ves and rights Of sovereignty"