Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-12-24
OUR OWN EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH AMERICA

j i. : 81. !. !: : 4: !. !
.-SS he United States is in position to
GNNIosV know and appreciate the irrespOn-
EENZe5N \ South America says the Kansas
KyAOH n City Journal Beginning with the
| %9NE9% date when they accomplished sepa-
@- 4 ration from Spain, our country has
| SAS(A had trouble with one after another
NSSS&SSo OF them. From the Inauguration
Of John Quincy Adams down to the present day
there has scarcely been a presidential message
which did not set forth injuries which bad been in
ficted upon American citizens by some OF the South
American countries. Brazil, Chile, Venezuela and
Peru at different times have sized American ships
and imprisoned American citizens without just
cause or prOvOcatiOn aud it only by the threat
of doing Just what Germany and England are now
doing that we we're able to gain a settlement from
the countries so offending AS far back as 1852 we
find President Millard Fillmore announcing to con-
gress that while Venezuela has acknowledged some
claims which had been urged by Americans for
many years, the Venezuelan congress Obstinately
refuses to make appropriations for their payment.
| In 1872 President Grant brought pressure to bear
in order to make the Venezuelan government pay
damages for the seisure Of four vessels belonging to
i the Venezuelan Steamship company, Of New York,
and for the Imprisonment Of the crews OF these yes
sells. Venezuela finally acknOwledg the justice OF
these claims but so late as the administration Of
Grover Cleveland our state department was still
hunting for means of collection.
TIE South American countries are all OF one STRIPE
In evading the responsibilities which attach to the
administration Of a Just and upright government.
From Spanish ancestry they inherit the feudalstc
spirit which makes homogeneous government
almost an impOssibility, and to this they add the
fatal gift OF prOcrastinatiOn It is always "tOmor-
row. with the Latin American, and tomorrow It
remains through such an endless sequence OF days
that it would exhaust the patience Of angels.
OF the manner in which the South American cOun-
tries treat those with whom they have diplomatic
relations the United States had taste in it's trou-
( bles with Chile in 1892 It will be remembered
that Minister Egan gave refuge in the American
consulate, as he had right to do to certain adher-
ants of the overthrOwn Balmaceda government, who
sought him for protection. Immediately the consu
I late at Valparaiso was surrounded by policemen
q and soldiers, who pounded on the windows and
hurled insults at the consul and those to whom be
had given asylum. For some days, until the arrival
of an American warship, Mr.. Egan was virtually q
i prisoner. Afterwards number Of sailors from the
O. s. s. Baltimore were set upon by the police, ont
. being killed and others severely wounded. WheI
called upon for reparatiOn and apology the Chilean
. government insulted and defed the government 81
i Washington. And the upshot was that Presiden
+ Harrison delivered special message to congress
setting forth the insulting messages received from
a Chile by state department and stating that b.
had notified the Chilean president that unless thes
, messages we're ct once withdrawn, apology made
: and reparatiOn provided for diplomatic relation
II This was almost equalent to declaration OF war
It frightened the Chieans 80 thoroughly that 70
once In their lives they became automatically res
= pectable The insulting messages we're withdrawn
y apology was duly made, Minister Egan was toll
that be needn't depart as had been demanded, AM
ls the Chilean government promptly voted prOpe
= sum In the settlement Of all demands.
The special message sent to congress by Presi
y dent Harrison was document OF unusual ability
Never before since has the attitude Of the Unite
n States with regard to South America been NOR
If clearly stated and quote the following paragrap
= as completely covering our policy
81 am Of the opinion that the demands made 9
y Chile by this government should be adhered to
enforced. II the dignity as we'll IS the prestige an
he iduence ct the United States not to be who'll
n sacrificed, We must protect those who in iOreig
. ports display the flag the cOlors Of the GOV
ernment against insult brutality, and death iniCe
OF in resentment Of the acts Of their government an
O. not for any fault Of their It has been my d.
lis sire in every way to cultivate rienly and intima
~ relations with al the governments Of this hemii
phere. We desire their peace and prosperity. "
" look for no advantage in our relations with thel
except the increased exchange Of commerce upon
s, basis Of mutual benefit. We regret every civil col
III test that distuFbs their peace and parayzes the
development, and we are always ready TO give OF
.i good Offices for the restoration Of peace It mus