The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-01-28


ties. The next day he received Blaine's
permission to act as mediator. May
pa Egan informed Blaine that the
governments of the United States,
Brazil and France had been most
cordially accepted by the government
of Chile and the revolutionists, those
of England and Germany having been
decline 1.
The Itata incident first appears in
the correspondence connected with the
declaration sent by McCreary, consul
Valparaiso, to the state department
here wharton being then acting sec-
rotary in Blaine's absence) that the
South American Steamship Company
insisted that the Itata was their prop
erty and taken from them by force by
the insurgents. The same day Egan
notified the state department, at the
request of the Chilean government, OF
the presence of the Itata in California
waters.
May IA, Wharton, alarmed by the
threats current in Washington that
Balmaceda had threatened to shoot
the ENJOYS who appeared before the
mediators, he insisted that under the
circumstances they should have the
treatment of a flag of truce. Two days
later, in answering, Egan disclaimed
any such intention on Balmaceda's
part. Then follows long history of
the attempt of the mediators to Sc
cure peace in Chile, winding up with
an account. of the breaking off of the
negotiations as the result of an at
tempt to assassinate Senior Godoy, one
of Balmaceda's ministers.
May %, Wharton enclosed to Egan,
for his inspection, copy of a letter
from Davis at Lima, Peru, quoting a
rumor that Eagan had advised Bal
maceda to grant lettersof- marque to
privateers as a war measure. On the
first of June Wharton instructed
Egan that, prompted solely by
a desire to restore peace and
entirely in a disinterested way
the president desires him informally
and discreetly to ascertain whether
the good offices of this government
can in any way be used for the ter
mination of the conflict in Chile. On
the same day by telegraph Wharton
informs Egan that the expectation is
entertained of the return to the GUS
tody of the United States courts of the
arms on the Itata and the ship her
self. In answer to the presidents
suggestion that he renew his efforts
of mediation, Fgan telegraphs June 8
that the revolutionists and the Chill
can government were well disposed to
entertain any proposition that might
be made
ADMIRAL M'CANN APPEARS.
Rear Admiral Mccain figured in
the negotiations at this stage, and he,
then at Iquique, approached the rev.
dictionary leaders at Egan's instance
in the interests of mediation. June
IL he writes Egau as follows:
~ have to suggest that in my note
to Senior Errasquez, incautiously
quoted too freely from your letter of
the second inst, especially the line in
which you express the opinion that
the government at Santiago cannot be
disturbed The consequence of this
inadvertence on my part, being unac-
custoned to diplomatic fencing, can
be seen in the declaration of Senior
ErrasqueZ.O
He also adds that the loss of the
Itata and the arms at that time eX-
cited great animosity against the
United States at Iquique. The dec
laration of Senior Errasquez to what
Admiral Mccain refers was simply to
the effect that he must be pardoned il
he excused himself from discussing at
that moment Egan's statement that
the government could not be over
thrown. Egan writes note in regard
to the admiral, dated June q, saying
the circumstances had been used to
his detriment.
THE CABLE QUESTION.
There was some correspondence in
the latter part of June relative to the
Central and South American cable.
Wharton transmits to Egan informa-
ton received by wire from the presi-
dent of the company relating to the
company being forcibly prevented
from working it's cable between
pressing the willingness of the COM
pany, but the fear that if direct
cable connected between Peru and
Valparaiso it would be cut by the Off
Gals at Iquique. In reply Egan
strongly recommends the telegraph
company to accept the offer made by
the Chilean government to pay the
expenses to open communication
with Valparaiso and give guarantees
against damages to the cable.
Judge Wharton summarily disposes
of the request of the Balmaceda gov
ernmant that war vessel be sold
them by replying:
~ have to inform you that the navy
department replies it has none for
sac"
ENJOYS IN WASHINGTON.
September 26, Wharton informs Egan
that his efforts of peace have been ap-
preciated ard fully approved. He
also in orms him Of the arrival in
Washington of Seniors Montt and
Varas, representing the congressional
party as confederated agents OF the
mission. He says:
"The object of t1eir visit is under
stood to be 60 present the claims
of their party for recognition
as the belligerent government,
conspicuously asserting their capacity
as authoritative representatives of
de facto combatant, and claiming to
be ENJOYS of an organized sovereign
government. They have bytheir own
pretensions made it quite impractical
lonorl,1,ant tn rapaiUa or