The Washington times., 1902-04-01
Never Had Opportunity to
Toast Success
to Chile.
NO BANQUET IN HIS HONOR
Not Invited to an Official Dinner, Conse-
quently Had No Occasion to Make Re
marks Complimentary to Chile Attrib
uted to H;m-Ground for the Charge.

Capt. Thomas Perry, of the battleship
tion to the Navy Department of an al
legation contained in a New York news
paper that he had made a speech in Chile
in which he predicted that the Chileans
would be victors in a contest with any
other South American country. The news
paper said that Captain Perry's remarks
had given great offence to the Argentine
Republic. which was at that time at
swords points with Chile.
Secretary Long sent the newspaper
clippings to Captain Perry at Montevideo.
Uruguay. 10 which place his ship had
been ordered. and requested an explana-
.tion of his alleged indiscretion.
Captain Perry's answer was received by
Secretary Long yesterday. He denies en-
phatically that he made any such speech.
Secretary Long Immediately wrote a re-
sponse in which he said that the answer
was just what he expected from an officer
of his experience and discretion. and as
sured him that his explanation was en-
srely satisfactory.
Text of the Reply.
Captain Perry's answer, which shows
him to be possessed of sense of humor.
is as follows:
United States Ship Iowa
Montevideo, Uruguay, February %. 1902
Sir | have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt OF the department letter No
2SS036, of January 16, 1902. enclosing a
newspaper clipping with regard to a toast
alleged TO have been made by me at a
banquet at Talcahuano, Chile, and direct
ing me to advise the department as to the
correctness of the words attributed to me-
In reply l desire to state that no ban
qGet was rendered to me in Chile, and l
attended no banquet in that country, nor
was | present at any time while in that
country at any dinner, breakfast lunch
con, supper or any other meal where any
toast or speech was made by me or 9TH
ers Nor did l at any time say anything,
either in public private, that could be
construed to mean that l favored either
Argentina or Chile in the event of war;
but, on the contrary, / carefully refrained
from making any statement that would
be unbecoming my position of a strict
neutral
The only incident can recall from
which this false report could have sprung
was the following:
The intendente of Conception visited
the ship officially soon after our arrival
at Talcahuano. accompanied by a party
OF about fifteen persons.
He was received by me and my officers
with all the honors due him, and after
escor;ing the party about the ship we
came to my cabin. where I offered the
gentlemen glass of wine. and said to
the intendente, Permit me, sir, TO pro-
pose your good health. The best wish
can offer you is that peace may prevail
in your country" That was my only
toast in Chile. and | shall be very pleased
to repeat it in Argentina.
There was a report current in Chilean
newspapers that the Iowa had been sold
to the Chilean Government. | am as in
nocent of making the alleged speech as
/ am of selling the ship. and no more
likely to do one than the other.
The newspaper clipping Is herewith re-
turned. Very respectfully.
THOMAS PERRY,
Captain, u. S. Navy.
ommander-in-chief L. S. Naval Forces,
South Atlantic Station.