Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-25

been moro creditablc to tie Chilean authori-
ties; and much less can hardly be satisfactory
to government that values its dignity and
honor.
In our note Of October % last. which appears
in the correspondence. after receiving the re-
port of the board Of officers appointed by Capt.
Schley to investigate the affair. the Chilean
Government was advised of the ass ect which il
then assumed and called upon Cor am facts in
Its possession that might tend TO modify the
unfavorable impressions which our report had
created. 1t Is very clear from the correspond
ence that, before the receipt of this note, the
examination was regarded by the police author
tiles practically closed. 1t was, however. re-
opened and protracted through period
justly have complained of this unreasonable
delay, but in view OF the fact that the Govern
ment OF Chile was still provisional, and with a
disposition to be forbearing and hopeful of a
friendly termination. have awaited the report
which has but recently been made.
CONCLUSIONS OF THIS GOVERNMENT.
On the 2lst instant / caused to be communi-
catedao the Government Of Chile. by the Amer
lean minister at Santiago, the conclusions Of
this Government after full consideration of
all the evidence and of every suggestion affect
ing this matter, and to these conclusions ad-
here; They were stated as follows:
, FIRST. That the assault Is not relieved Of
the aspect which the early information of the
event gave 70 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
Second. That the public authorities Of VAL
paraiso nasrantly failed in their duty to pro-
tect our men. and that some Of the police and
OF the Chilean soldiers and sailors were them
selves guilty of unprovoked assaults upon our
sailors before and after arrest. He 1.-THE Presi-
cent? thinks the preponderance of the evil
dence and the inherent probabilities lead to the
conclusion that RiSgin was killed by the police
or soldiers.
Third. That he 1.-THE President is therefore
compelled 10 bring the case back to the posi-
ton taken by this government in the note of Mr..
Wharton OF October % last
and to ask for a suitable apology and for some
adequate reparation for the injury done to
this government"
In the same note the attention of the Chilean
Government was called to the offensive char
acter of note addressed by Mr.. Malta its
minister OF foreign affairs. to Mr.. Montt, its
minister at this Capital, on the llth ultimo.
This dispatch was not officially communicated
to this Government; but, as Mr.. Mo3tt was di-
rected to translate it and to 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 Department,
as 1t directly imputed untruth and lnsincerity
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 apology AS public as the offense made, l Will
terminate diplomatic relations.
The request for the recall of Mr.. Egan upon
the ground that he was not persona grata was
unaccompanied by any suggestion that could
properly be used in support of il. and infer
that the request is based upon official acts OF
MT. ESan which have received the approval Of
this Government But however that may be,
until 1t had first been settled whether our
correspondence with Chile could be conducted
upon basis of mutual respect
THE DEMANDS SHOULD BE ENFORCED.
In submitting these papers to Congress for
that grave and patriotic consideration which
the questions involved demand, desire to say
that am of the opinion that the demands
made OF Chile by this Government should be
adhered to and enforced. If the dignity as
well as the prestige and influence of the United
States are not to be wholly sacrificed must
protect those who, in foreign ports, display the
flag or wear the colors of this
Government against insult brutality, and
death, inflicted in resentment of the acts of
their Government. and not for any fault of
their own. 1t has been my desire in every way
to cultivate friendly and intimate relations with
all tie Governments Of this hemisphere. We
do not covet their territory; we desire their
peace and prosperity. We look for no advau-
tage In our relations with them except the in
creased exchanges of commerce upon a basis of
mutual benefit. We regret every civil contest
that disturbs their peace and paralyzes their
development and are always ready to give our
good offices for the restoration of peace. 1t
must, however, be understood that this Gov
eminent, while exercising the utmost forbear-
ance toward weaker powers, will extend its
strong and adequate protection to its citizens,
TO Its officers and to its humblest sailor when
made the victims of wantonness and cruelty in
resentment, not OF their personal misconduct.
but OF the official acts of their Government.
Upon information received that Patrick
Shields, an Irishman and probably a British
subject but at the time fireman of the Amer
lean steamer keweenaw, in the harbor of VAL
paralso tor repairs, had been subjected to per-
sonal injuries in that city-largely by the
police-I directed the Attorney General to cause
the evidence of the officers and crew of that
vessel to be taken upon its arrival in San Fran
cisco; and that testimony is also herewith
transmitted. The brutality and even savagery
of the treatment of this poor man by the
Chilean police would be incredible if the evil
dence OF Shields was not supported by other
direct testimony and by the distressing condi-
ton OF the man himself when he was finally
able to reach his vessel The captain OF the
vessel says:
HE came back a wreck; black from his neck
W AAAn UPS iAoil OSutiiS. "esAA stupid, anu
is still in a kind OF paralyzed condition, and
has never been able to do duty since"
A claim for reparation has been made in be-
half of this man, for, while he was not citi-
zen of the United States, the doctrine long
held by US, as expressed in the consular
regulations, is: 'The principles which
are maintained by this govern
ment in regard to the protection,
distinguished from the relief, of seamen are
well settled. 1t is held that the circumstance
that the vessel is American is evidence that the
seamen on board are such, and in every reGu-
larly 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 2lst instant, but in my opinion ought not
to delay longer to bring these matters to the
attention of Congress for such action as may be
deemed appropriate. BENZ. HARRISON.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 25, 1892.