The Pr?rdnt's Special Mcs
cr. ChlLa:: Affairs.
sto::v or ((;.Mi'.ovrr.lsr.
Injury, lutti'i ni.d r.ruUlilr the f Mrf
Point of l.Ve- l.y '). Nitulhern 1Ci
pulillp '.:' .- V i.i' ConrM) Vln ::.
The ltljiloiuiUic tot rtipouiience.
Washington, Jaa. 3. The following
is President Uarribon's mesbage on ttw
Chilean situation, Rent to congress:
To tfa Senate Mid IIuum of Ropreeuutativee:
In my annnal mew-age delivered to
congress at the beginning of the present
fusion, after a brief statement of the
Licit then in the possession of this gov.
eminent touching the assault in the city
1 Valjiaraiso, Chile, ntxm the sailors of
the United States ship Baltimore on the
eveuiug of the lKth of October last, I
uitl: This government is now awaiting
the result of an investigation which has
ieen conducted by the criminal court at
Valparaiso. It is reported unofficially
that the investigation is about complet
ed, and it is expected that the result will
soon lie communicated to this govern
ment, together with some adequate and
iwtisfactory resionse to the note by
which the attention of Chile was called
to this incident. If those just expecta
tions Bhould be disappointed or further
aeedloss delay intervene, I will by a
pedal message bring this matter again
to the attention of congress for such ao
tion as may be necessary.
"In roy opinion the timo has now
ome when 1 should lay liefore congress
Mid the country the correspondence be
tween this government and the govern
ment of Chili from the time of the
breaking out of the revolution against
Balmaeoda, together with all the other
fucts in the possession of the executive
department relating to this matter. The
diplomatic corresoudence is herewith
transmitted, together with correspond
ence between the navid officers for a
time In command in Chilean waters, and
also the evidence taken at the Mare
Island navy yard since the arrivid of tbo
Baltimore at San Francisco.
Kkuii'i t'ourae lulield.
"It may be well at the outset to say
that, whatever may have been said iu
this country or in Chilo in criticism of
Mr, Egan, our minister at Santiago, tha
rue history of this exciting period iu
Chilean affairs from the outbreak of the
revolution until this time discloses not
an act on the part of Mr. Egan unworthy
i his position, or that could justly bo
the occasion for serious animadversion or
riticism. lie has, I think, on the
wholo, lxmev himself in every trying
eircumBtanoe with dignity, discretion
ud courage and has conducted tho cor
respondence with ability, courtesy and
toirness. It is worth while, also, at the
beginning to say that tbo right of Mr.
Egan tj give shelter in the legation to
artaiu adherents of the Balmaceda gov
ernment who applied to him for asylum
kas not been denied by tho Chilean au
thorities, nor haH any demand been
aadofor the surrender of these ref
Rees. "That there was urgent need of asylum
is shown by Mr. Egan's note of Aug. 24,
lbHt, describing the disorders that pre
vailed in Santiago and by the evidonco
ef Captain Schley as to the pillage and
violence that prevailed at Valparaiso.
The correspondence disclosed, however,
that the request of Mr. Egan for a safe
conduct from tho country in behalf of
ttiese refugees was denied, The pre
cedents cited by him in the corre
spondence, particularly the case of tho
reromtion in Peru in I8tJ5, did not leave
the Chilean government in a position to
deey the right of asylum to political ref
reea, and seemed very clearly to sup
port Mr. Egan's contention that a safe
eenduct to neutral territory was a neces
sary and acknowledged incident of the
asylum. These refugees have very re
cently, without formal safe conduct,
at by the acquiescence of the Chilean
mtaoritiee, beon placed on board
tite Yorktown, and are now be
inff conveyed to Callao, Peru.
This incident might be consid
ered wholly closed, but for the disre
spect manifested toward this govern
ment by the close and offensive police
enryeillance of tho legation premises
which were maintained during most of
the period of the stay of the refugees
therein, after the date of my annual
message and up to tho time of the trans
fer of the reiugees to the Yorktown.
The legation premises seem to have been
surrounded by police in uniform and po
lice agouts or detectives in citizen's
dress, who offensively scrutinized per
sons entering or leaving the legation and
on one or more occasions arrested mem
bers of the minister's family.
'Commander Evans, who by my di
rection recently visited Mr. Egan at
Santiago, iu his telegram to the navy de
partment descrilied the legation ' a ver
itable prison" and states that the police
agents or detectives were after his ar
rival withdrawn during his stay. It r.p-
Twain runner irom ttie note oi .Ir.
Egan's of Nov. 20. 1SU1, that on one oc
casion at least these police agents, whom
lie declared to be known to him, invaded
the legation premises, pounding upon ita
windows, using insult ing and threaten
ing language toward persons t heroin.
Tl.ia breac h of the right of a minister to
freedom from police espionage and re
straint seems to have ken so flagrant
the Argentine minister, who w is deau of
the .diplomatic i rps, having observed it,
felt cal!".i v.w.n ! protest against it to
the Chilean minister of foreign affairs.
The Chilean authorities have, as will le
olwerved from the correspondence,
charged the refugees and the iumates of
the legation with insulting the police;
but it seems to me incredible that men
whow lives wre in jeopardy and whose
safety could only be secured by retire
ment and quietness should have sought
to provoke a collision which could only
end in their destruction, or to aggravate
their condition by intensifying a popu
lar feeling that at one time so threatened
the legation as to require Mr. Egan to
appeal to the minister of foreign affairs.
The Baltimore Incident.
"But the niot serious incident dis
closed by the correspondence is that of
the attack on the sailors of the Balti
more in the streets of Valparaiso on the
loth of October last. We have now re
, ceived from the Chilean government an
abstract of the conclusion of the fiscal
general upon the testimony taken by tho
judge of crimes in the investigation
which was made to extend over nearly
three mouth. I very much regret to be
j'tipell(d tj .i.y that this re;,ortd i'
.'. Miuiiie me to ni'Kiifv the e.rie us oiis
Announced in my minimi ms a .'. 1 am
etili of ll:e opinion li;'t our ;;nlein wore
ieatih I, hr.i'en, rt-.l,l ami VM:. '
r't ir nc i!.inc: tl.iy ; n:iy one of
them had liene. lint lr h"t the r"v-
eminent of ih L iiiteit K.'ate.s had d- -ne.
or was ( r.iaved with having duiiu, by its
civil oflicers and naval commanders. If
that be tV nio select of the case, the
injmywis to the government of the
Vuite-.l ''.;..;, int Ut those r.r i- . .1 rs
v !" were i.e'vcl in a manner so i
'i.i:l..l au4 R'i . .V.ariily,
-l-.'c'orc . :.e.::'...i:'g to give an ou'lire (
of the facts tt-x.u which this co?1,.. i,n .
r.-' is, 1 tiiii'k it rig-it to say a '.void or t
two upon the legal aspect ot tho case.
"The Dal ti more was in the harbor of
Valparaiso by virtuo of that general in
vitation which nations are held to ex- ,
tend to war vessels of othei powers !
when they have friendly relations. I
This invitation, I think, must be held !
ordinarily to embrace the privilege of
such communication with the shore as
is reasonable, uecessary and proper for
the convenience of the oflicers aud men
of such vessels. Captain Schley testifies
that when his vessel returned to Valpar
aiso on Sept. 14, the city officers, as is
customary, extended the hospitalities of
the city to his officers and crew.
IntornHtlonal Blghti InvoWed.
It is not claimed that every personal
collision or injury in which a sailor or
officer of such a naval vessol visiting
shore may be involved raises an interna
tiomd question, but I am cleurly of the
opinion where such sailors or officers are
assaulted by tho resident populace, ani
mated by hostilities to the government
whose uniform these Bailors and officers
wear, and in resentment of acts done
by their government, not by them, their
nation must take notice of the event as
one involving an infraction of its rights
and dignity; not in a secondary way,
as where a citizen is injured and pre
sents his claim through his own govern
ment, but in a primary way, jirecisely
as a minister or consul or the flag itself
oe the object of the same character of
assault. The officers and sailors of the
Baltimore wero in the harbor of Valpa
raiso under the orders of their govern
ment, not by their own choice. They
wero UHin shore by the implied invita
tion ot tho government of Chile and
with the approval of their commanding
officer, and it does not distinguish their
case from that of a consul that his stay
is more permanent or that he holds an
express mvitatiou from the local gov
ernment to justify his longer residence.
Nor does it affect the question whether
the iujurv was the act of a mob. 11
there had been no participation by the
police or military in this cruel work,
and no neglect on their part to extend
protection, the case would still be one,
in my opinion, where its extent and
character is considered involving inter
national rights.
lie reviewed at somo length the story,
of the assault on the Baltimore's men,
the investigation of which followed both
at Valparaiso and Sun Francisco, and
commented on the same.
Not SHtlnfttctory.
After summarizing the correspondence
up to a certain point, the presidentsays:
"The communications of the Chilean
government in relation to this cruel and
disastrous attack upon our mon. as will
appear from the correspondence, have
not in any degree, taken the form of
manly and satisfactory expressions of re
gret, much less apology. The event
was of so serious a character that if the
injuries suffered by our men had been
wholly the result of an accident in the
Chilean port, the incident was grave
enough to have called for some public
expression of sympathy and regret from
the local authorities. It is not enough,
to say that the affair was lamentable,
for humanity would require that ex
pression, even if the beating and killing
of our men had been justifiable. It is
not enough to say that the incident was
regretted, coupled with the statement
that the affair was not of an unusual
character in ports where foreign sailors
are accustomed to moet. It is not for a
generous and sincere government to
seek for words of small or equivocal in
meaning in which to convey to a friendly
power an apology for an offense so atro
cious as this."
Reference is made to the assault by
the mob in New Orleans upon the Span
ish consulate in 18M, and the action of
the government of the United States in
promptly apologizing for it. and it is
contrasted to the present tTeatmont of
our government by Chile. Continuing,
the message says:
"Iu our note of Octorlier 23 last, after
receiving the report of the board of offi
cers appointed by Captain Schley to in
vestigate the affair, the Chilean govern
ment was advised of the aspect which
it then assumed and was called upon for
any facts in its possession that might
tend to modify the unfavorable impres
sion which our report had created. It
was very clear from the correspondence
ttiat before the receipt of this note the
examination was regarded by police au
thorities as practically closed. It was,
however, reopened and protracted
through aperiod of nearly three months.
We might justly l.ave complained of
his unreasonable delay, but in view of
tho fact that the government of Chile
was still provisional, and with a dispo
sition to le forbearing and ho-feful of a
friendly termination. I have awaited the
report.which has but recently been made.
On the 21st inst. I caused to" be commu
nicated to ho government of Chile, by
the American minister at Santiago, the
conclusions of this government after full
consideration of all evidence and every
suggestion affecting this matter, and
to these conclusions I adhere. They
stated as follows:
The DviiiHiul for Ilepiirnt Ion.
"First That the assault was not re
lieved of the aspect which the earlv in
formation of the event gave it, viz: That
the attack upon the uniform of the
United States navy had its origin and
motive in a feeling of hostility to this
government, and not in any action of
the sailors or any of them.
"Second That the public authorities
of Valparaiso flagrantly failed in their
duty to protect our men, and that some
of the police and Chilean soldiers and
sailors were themselves gnilty of unpro
voked assaults upon our sailors were
themselves guilty of unprovoked assaults
upon our sailors before and after the ar
rest. He (the president) thinks the pre
ponderance or evidence and inherent
probabilities lead t the conclusion that
Riggin was killed hy police or soldiers.
"lhird That he (president) was there
fore compelled to bring the case back to
the position taken in the note of Whar
ton Oct. 23 last, and ask for a suitable
apology and 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 character of a note addressed
by Matta, ex-minister of foreign affairs, ;
to Alontt, its minister at this capital, on
the 1 rth nit. This dispatch was not
officially communicated to this govern
ment, but as Moutt was directed to
translate it and give it t the press of
this country, it seemed to me it could
not pass without official notice. It was
not only undiplomatic, but grossly In
sulting to our naval officers and to tha
executive department, as it directly im
puted untruth and insincerity to the re
ports of the naval officers and to the
Official communications made by the
executive department to congress. It
win ue observed that I have notified the
Chilean government that unless this note
ia at once withdrawn and an apology as
public as the offense, is made, I will
terminate diplomatic relations.
"The request for the recall of Egan
upon the ground that he is non persona
grata, was unaccompanied by any sug
gestion that could pro'ierly le used in
support of it, and I infer the request
was based upon the official acts of Egan
which had received the approval of this
government. But, however that may
lie, I could not consent to consider such
a question until it had first been settled
whether our correspondence with Chile
could be conducted upon a basis of mutu
al respect.
Chile Should lie Drought to Time. ...4
"In submititing these papers to con
gres for that grave and patriotic consid
eration, which the questions involved
demand, I desire to say I am of the opin
ion that the demands made of Chile by
this government should be adhered to
and enforced. D! the dignity as well
as the prestige and influence of the
United States is not to be wholly sacri
ficed, we must protect those who, in for
eign iKirts display the flag and wear the
colors of this government, against insult,
brutality and death inflicted in resent
ment of the acts of their govern
ment and not for any fault of
their own. It has been my desire in
every way to cultivate friendly aud inti
mate relations with all the governments
of this hemisphere. We do not covet
their territory. We desire their jieace
and prosperity. We look for no advant
age m our relations with them, except
increased exchanges of commerce upon
a basis of mutual benefit. We regret
every civil contest that disturbs their
peace and parlyses their development,
and are always ready to give our good
ollices for the restoration of peace. It
must, however, be understood that this
government, whilo exercising the ut
most forbearance toward weaker pow
ers, will extend its strong and adequate
protection to its citizens, to its oflicers
and to its humblest sailors, when made
the victims of wantonness and cruelty
in resentment, not of their personal mis
conduct, but of the official acts of their
government.
Our 8eamen Must lie Protected.
"Upon information received from Pat
rick Shields, an Irishman, and probably
a British subject, but at the time the
fireman of the American steamer Keewa
na, in the harbor of Valparaiso, for re
pairs, had been subjected to personal in
juries 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 Son Fran
cisco; and this testimony is also herewith
transmitted. The brutality and even
tno savagery or trie treatment of this
poor man by the Chilean police would
be incredible if the evidence of Shields
was not supported by ether direct testi
mony and by the distressing condition of
me man nimseii wnen he was
finally able to reach his vessel.
The claim for reparation has been
made ou behidf of this man, for while he
is not a citizen or the United States, the
doctrine so long held by us, as expressed
in the cousular regulations Is: 'The prin
ciples which are maintained by this gov
ernment in regard to protection, as dis
tinguished from relief of seamen is well
settled. It is held that the circum
stances that the vessel is American is
evidence that the Bcamen on board are
such and in every regularly documented
merchant vessel the crew will find
their protection in the flag that covers
tnein.'
"I have as yet received no reply to
our note of the 21st inst., but, in my
opinion, I ought not delay longer to
bring these matters to the attention of
congress for such action as may be
aeemeu appropriate.
"Benjamin Harrison.
"Executive Mansion, Jan. 23, lB9a."
The Ultimatum.
The terms of the ultimatum to Chile
have not been correctly given in any of
the dispatches referring to it. Three
subjects are covered by the document.
The assault upon the Baltimore sailors
is the first. The secretary of state di
rects ?.Ir. Egan to infoim the Chilean
government that after a full and careful
examination of evidence of that affair as
submitted by the Chilean authorities and
as shown in the examination of the Bal
timore's sailors, the president feels com'
polled to stand by the terms of Assistant
Secretary Wharton's instructions to
Minister Egan, given Oct. 23, and to in
sist upon au apology and reparation
therefor.
The second subject is the Matta cir
cular note of Dec. 13. This note, the
Chilean government is informed, is
offensive to the president and other
officials of the United States, and that
unless it is promptly withdrawn and the
language disavowed by the Chilean gov
eminent in equally public form u ! .
iu which the note was circulate I, Jim
ister Egan will w-k for purports
and diplomatic relations between the
countries will cease.
The third isproiiosed the recall of Min
ister Egan, Acknowledgment is made
lor receipt of Minister Montt's note,
stating that Mr. Egan is non person
grata to the government of Chile and
announcing the readiness and desire of
that government to receive another rep
resentativeof the United States -at Santi
ago. Upon this subject the government
of Chile is informed that theuote cannot
now lie considered. There are other and
weightier matters pending settlement
aud when they are satisfactorily disjosed
of this government will then consider
the request for the recall of Mr. Egan.
The United States minister was, of
course, notified of the receipt of the note
from Senor Montt, aud it is said a mes
sage has been received from him stating
that the niemlx-rs of the Chilean govern
ment authorized to speak upon such
matters have verbally assured him that
they were satisfied with hiin, and that
similar statements were made to the
ministers from other countries. This
dispatch raises s question of veracity
between Minister Egan and Senor Montt,,
which subsequent correspondence or
events may aid in settling. Certain it ii
that up to the receipt of Mr. Montt's noto
the records do not show any indication
of dissatisfaction with Mr. Egan by tlw
Chilean authorities.
i.OM ATIC mKllESI'ONDENCK.
The long I)Urnlon Iletween the Two
Coiintrlfa on the Suhjert.
WasulnuTon, Jan. Co. The Chilean
correspondence from the department of
Ftate forms a volume of several hmdrel
printed i ages. It bens with Minister
Egan's dispatch of Aug. 13, 1&)0, notify
ing the department of the beginning of
the controversy between the executive
and legislative departments of Chilean
government resulting finally in the
overthrow of President Balmaceda.
The success of the revolutionists and
downfall of Balmnceda are covered by
numerous dispatches. From Aug. 27 to.
81 disorder reigned at Santiago attend
ins the change of governments. The
police deserted their posts, the houses ol
Balmaceda's supporters were sacked and
3,000,000 worth of property wantonly
destroyed. All tho legations, except the
English, which refused to accept any,
were crowded with refugees, which
alone avoided a great sacrifice of life.
Sept. 1 Mr. Egan announced the in
stallation of the new government. On
the 4th he was instructed to recognize it,
which he did on the 5th. During the
excitement the United States legation
entertained neai ly one hundred refugees,
including Balmnneda Arl hiu fnmilv.
They remained three days.
Britain at the Bottom of It.
Rent. 1 Mr. Kpan wrnti rhnf Avar otnnA
the Itata incident a hitter feeling hn.1
been held against the United States by
rne young nnu untmnmug element or
those then in opposition to the govern
ment, a feeling which, said Mr. Egan,
the English did all in their power to pro
mote ami roster. A manifestation cf
this was shown in th elmm-o hv Vop.
.. .. - p .
irana. who acted as secretary of thn urnw
or tne nortn, who wild that on the day
of the landing of the northern army at
Quiteros on Aug. 20 tho San Francisco
went to that bay and from there carried
back tho most important information to
the government authorities at Val
paraiso. Rear Admiral Brown denied
tho charge absolutely, stating that tho
landing had leen effected and was fully
known to the government officials before
he left and that he had no communica
tion with them after his return. Sept.
24 and 23 Mr. Egan telegraphed that it
bad been intimated that he was expected
to turn the refugees out that were in the
legation to be prosecuted, but that he
would pennit them to go out only under
safe conduct to neutral territory; also
that the feeling against the United
States because of the Itata incident was
being fomented. Secret police sur
rounded the legation arresting persons,
twenty in number, for entering it and
placing two of Mr. Egan's servants in
prison. Against this Mr. Egan pro
tested to the minister of foreign affairs.
By direction of the president Mr. Whar
ton telegraphed to Minister Egan Sept.
26 to insist firmly that the respect and
inviolability due the minister of the
United States and the legation build
ings, including free access, be given and
observed fully and promptly by the
Chilean authorities.
Nov. 18, in response to questions, Mr
Egan informed the state department
that he bad supiorted the refugees at
the legation at his own expense, then
amounting to more than $3,000. Nov.
17 he reported that he was compelled to
complain that the secret police who had
been watching the legation for two
weeks had become boisterous under the
influence of liquor, and from the street
had used insulting language toward the
refugees. Mr. Matta replied, denying
that the disturbers were police spies and
said drunkards created the disturbance.
He said a report from the intendenteof
Santiago Bhowed that Mr. Egan was not
well informed. He charged that per
sons that were employes of the legation
of North America committed indiscre
tions which might provoke replies and
reprisals not pleasiug to the rights or
the decorum or anybody.
Hatta'i Statement Contradicted.
To this Mr. Egan responded that the
facts he complained of were known to
him personally aud were matters of pub
he notoriety. The drunken crowd gath
ered about the doors of the legation, and
sometimes entered it, trying to induce
the refugees to go outside. That condi
tion of things, Mr. Egan said, showed
want of respect for the legation, and
was not calculated . to promote the
maintenance of that spirit of
cordial friendship which was de
sirable to cultivate betweeen the two
countries. Further correspondence took
phce between Messrs. Egan and Matta
on this subject under dates of Nov. 23
and Jk), the hitter repeating Ids insinua
tions that tho troubles were caused by
the actions of the refugees in the lega
tion and their agents outside.
To this Mr. Egan replied in spirited
terms, denying the connection of any
person in the legation with the disorders
and insisting that they wore undoubted
ly ageuts of the public authorities.
The Attack on the Baltimore' Men.
Coming to the attack on the sailors of
the Baltimore and its consequences, the
first notification was in a telegram
from Miuister Egan, dated Oct. 18, the
tight having occurred on the 10th. On
the 19th he transmitted to the depart
ment of stnte Contain Kelilnv'a letter ti
Minister Egan and to the intendente,
that to the latter asking an investiga
tion and said: "The general impression is
that the attack was unprovoked and pre
meditated. Somo weeks ago an attack
was made upon a nnmWr of the sailors
of one of the German ships of war, re
uniting in the killing of one of the Ger
mans, and it is understood that the at
tack was made iiecause Chileans mis
took the Germans for Uuited States
sailors." Then followed the telegram of
the president to Minister Egan. through
.Assistant Secretary of State Wharton,
of Oct. 23, which has been printed, in
which Mr. Egun was instructed to in
form the Chilean government that the
United States government had no doubt
a prompt and full reparation would lie
offered by Chile if the facts were as
found by the board composed of the
Baltimore's officers which investigated
the affair.
An Outrage at Valparaiso,
Nov. 7 Mr. Egan reported the ill treat
ment of Patrick Shields, a fireman of
the United States steamship Keewana,
and an American citizen, who, accord
ing to a report from the United States
consul at Valparaiso, was arretted for
drunkenness, a charge denied by him,
kept for several days in jail without
process of law, forced to sweep the
streets and brntally beaten by police
oflicers. The consul said that he had
been medically examined and found to
be in a serious condition aud that the
local authorities had been remonstrated
against.
The statement or Shields, tne ivee
wana sailor, to Surgeon White and the
report of the chief of police of Valpar
aiso to Consul McCreery are included in
the correspondence and confirm the truth
of this statement. In Mr. Euran'c dis
patch later ail the documents in the case,
whieh are set out in full in the corres-
iwmdonoe, were transmitted to Senor
dalt.i by Mr. Egan, in connection with
Shields' claim for3,000 damages. The '
x ii i . lu :.M . I
iouownig upon ine quesuou oi ouierns
citizenship a;o suggestive:
Valparaiso, Nov. 20.
In t he eise of IV trick Shields, of the
Keewana, whn mnkes a claim against the j
government of Chile for injuries claimed t
to have lxen receive! nt the hands of the
police of thw city, I desire to state that
the crew list of the steamship shows that
he was bora iu Ireland, and is a subject of
Great Britain. William McCkeeky,
United States Consul.
Santiago, Nov. 23.
rn Replying to your communication
of the 2uth inst., in reference to the case of
Patrick Shields, of the United States
steamship Keewana, I beg to refer you to
paragraphs 170 and 171 of consular in
structions, in the latter of which you will
find the following: "The principles whieh
are maintained by this government in re
gard to the protection as distinguished
from the relief of seamen are well
settled. It is held that the circum
stance that the vessel is American
is evidence that the seamen on board
are such, and in every regularly docu
mented merchant vessel the crew will And
their protection in the flag that covers
them. Shields is therefore in this case
and also in the matter of relief, he hav
ing shipped in a port of the United States,
entitled to the same pr Section as if he
were a United States citizen.
Patiuck Eoan."
On the same day, "Nov. 7, Mr. Egan
reported a public meeting called to de
nounce the United States legation and
to request the delivery of the refugees.
This was due to attacks in the press.
Tho government sent a squadron of cav
alry to protect the legation. This meet
ing was called by a proclamation which
charged that the refugees in the legation
had conspired to kill Olnnel Canto.
After the meeting the vatendento issued
a proclamation denying the existence of
the conspiracy, a proclamation which,
Mr. EgHii said, would have been much
more valuable before the meeting. Of
this incident Senor Matta wrote to Mr.
Egan that "the government does not
alarm itself, however it may disapprove
the misdemeanors of speech, spoken and
written, which, an has been observed hy
the honorable minister plenipotentiary,
were not borne out by the results."
Chile' Insolent Attitude.
Senor Matta's renlv Oct. 27 said that
the government of the United States
formulated demands and advanced
threats that, without being cast back
with acrimony, were not acceptable, nor
could they le accepted iu that case or
any other of like nature. He did not
doubt the sincerity, rectitude or earnest
ness of the investigation on board the
Baltimore, but would recognize only the
jurisdiction and majority of his own
country to judge and punish the guilty
on Chilean territory. He said the ad
ministrative and judicial authorities
had been investigating the affair; that
the judiciid investigation under Chilean
law is secret and the time has not vet
arrived to make known the result; when
that time did arrive he would communi
cate the result, although he did not rec
ognize any other authority competent to
judge criminal cases than that estab
lished by the Chilean people. Until the
tinw arrived to disclose the result of tho
investigation he would not admit that
the disorders in Valparaiso or the silence
or nis aepartment should appear as an I
expression of unfriendliness tnwnrd rh I
government of the United States which
might put in peril the friendly relations
between the two countries.
MlnUter Matta'i Note.
On Dec. 13 Mr. Egan telegraphed the
state department as follows: "The fol
lowing telegram from minister of for
eign relations, sent Chilean minister,
Washington, with sanction of president,
was read in senate and published in pa
pers today:
Senor Pedro Montt, Washington:
Having read the portion of the report of
t he secretary of the navy and of the mes
sage of the president of the United States,
I think proper to inform you that the
statements on which bottf report aud mes
sage are based are erroneous or deliber
ately incorrect.
With respect to the persons to whom an
asylum has been granted, they have never
been threatened with cruel treatment nor
has it been sought to remove them from
the legation, nor has their surrender been
arfked for. Never has the house or the
person of the plenipotentiary, notwith
standing indiscretions and deliberate
provocations, been subjected to any of
fense, as is proved by the notes of Septem
ber, Octoljer aud November. With respect
to the seauieu-of the Baltimore there is,
moreover, no exactness nor sincerity in
what is said at Washington. The occur
rence took place in a bad neighborhood of
the city, the maintop of Valparaiso, and
among people who are not models of
discretion and temperance. When the
police aud other forces interfered and
calmed the tumult there were already
several hundred people on tho ground and
it was ten srpiares or more from the place
where it begun.
Mr.Tracy and Mr. Harrison have been led
into error lu respect to our reople and our
government, Their instructions recom
mending impartiality nud friendship have
not been complied with, neither now nor
before. If no oilicial complaint has been
made against the minister and the naval
oflicers, it is liecause the facts, public
and notorious both in Chile
and the United States, could
not, although they were well proved,
he urged by our confidential agent.
This telegram was published in tho
official diary and transmitted by the
Chilean minister at Buenos Ares to all
Chilean legations in Europe. On the
same day the correspondence between
Messrs. Egan and Matta on the Balti
more case was published in all the Val
paraiso papers.
Mr. Egan at once wrote Minister Matta
asking if the published text of the tele
gram was correct, and the latter replied
it was, and added: "Inasmuch as tho
telegram is au official act of the govern
ment of Chile whereby it communicates
instructions to its envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary in the
United States of North America, any ex
planation or dissertation on the part ol
the undersigned could add nothing to
its contents, which are to serve as a
guide for lon I edro Montt at Washing
ton in treating of these matters."
rending- further instructions Mr.
Egan notified the state department on
Dec. 17 that he had swqiended com-
Open Care to Be Bemodeled.
"The days of the street car, grips u
well as trailers, having the seats ar
ranged crosswise instead of parallel with,.
the car. are numbered." This rem ft fk
was made a few days ago by a w
known Chicago physician who is
medical examiner fr an accident insu
nnce company which insures the lives
manv street car employees as welU
patrons.
"Why do you say that?" was the query
of a friend.
"For this reason the cars built with
tho seats crosswise almost invariably .
have footboards running alongside bo
.1.. . - Aw
mat ine passenger may B--k vu ui uu iuu
car 'ut any spot in the road,' as the sport
would say, and these footboards facili
tate a passenger in getting into danger.
For instance, the rdles of all the cai
companies require the passenger to get
on or off the car on the side nearest tli
tb
sidewalk. This rule was intended
keep the people off the track of the c.
going in the opposite direction. But
these rules are not obeyed, and street
car companies muBt pay damages when
any one is hurt, and the conductor has
no opportunity to stop his car if the
passenger takes a notion to get oft with
out signaling him to stop, and many peo
ple are injured while getting off a cat'
while it is in motion sometimes by be-!
ing struck by a vehicle or another car.
sometimes by slipping on the treacher
ous footboard or by making some kind
of a misstep.
"The car with the end door as the only
means of exit is the one which protects
the company from many damage suits.
The open car with the running foot
board may be cheaper in construction,
but statistics will show that nine-tenths
of the accidents caused by getting on
and off cars occur on open cars or grips
with the cross seats and running foot
boards. I think there should bo a city
ordinance ngainst their use. Besides,
the street car companies will some day
awaken to tho fact that cars of that
style sometimes cause in one niinut
damage equal to their first cost." Chi
cago Times.
Allirrt Edward's Slumming Etperlence.
There are just now stories flying about
of the Prince of Wales visiting the
"slums" under a rather comical disguise,
but though it is known that the prince.
' r J r 1 .
uimseir acquainted witn the "seamy,4r
side of life, very little art was required
to conceal his identity. Indeed, it is
surprising, tnongn i.ngiisnmen are as
rule familiar, more or less, with the ap-
pearance of their future sovereign, how
often his presence in a place whore he is '
. i .
not exacted passes without recognition. iy
Some years ago the prince, quite in- T
cognito, traveled down to Folkestone, to
meot Princess Louise, who was coming
over from the Continent, and as there
was some time to wait before the arrival
of the steamer, he strolled about on the
quay and ultimately went out with a
boatman of local fame for a short cruise
in the channel. When they got safely
back the prince remarked, "Perhaps
yon would like to know who I antf"
"I don't know as I cares; it ain't no
odds to me," came the reply.
"Well, I'm the Prince of Wales." '
"The Prince of Walesl" ejaculated the
old mariner, giving his customer a play
ful dig in the ribs. "Get along with
yer!" London Cor. Chicago Times.
A Storehouse of Electricity.
Minnesota, not to be behindhand ia
marvels, tells of an electrio well which
one of its citizens claims to have been
discovered near Red Wing recently. Ac
cording to thetstory the drillers had
drilled about 150 feet when tHey lost
their drill roils and a diamond drill.
The whole business had dropped to no
where in an instant. There was quite a
force of air coming out of the hole, and
the men said there was no nse going any
farther, because there3 wasn't any bot
tom. They concluded to fish for the
rods and drill, but as soon as the rods
were dropped into the hole they began
to shiver in a queer way.
One of the men took hold of the bar
with a pair of leather gloves, and he was
knocked down. Then Holly well touched
the ropa and got a shock, because it was's
wet. There 8eeni3 to be a perfect natu-
ral storehouse of electricity. It is gen- 1
erated in some way in that pocket whers ft
the drills went, and there is enough of
it to execute a whole county at once un
der the New York law. Philadelphia
Ledger.
A Grand Old Commoner.
Though essentially a modest man, Mr.
Smith had a certain pride of his own.
Public rumor was always conferring a
peerage upon him, and I suppose that
had he lived he would have accepted
one. But he was proud, of his inde-
pendent and "self made" position as a I
wealthy commoner. "You see," he said '
to me, "I have no aristocratic connec
tions, no family interests; indeed, I
haven't a male relative alive except my
own ooy. i urn completefy unprejudiced
advantage this gave him. He was rich
and a plebeian, and his colleagues had
confidence in him accordingly as a strong
administrator. Pall Mall Gazette.
Question of Telephone Charge.
A proposal has been mado by Dr.
Strecker, of Berlin, which seems to solve
the question of telephone charges. He
proposes to levy a fundamental charge
to meet the expenses for installation,
maintenance and depreciation, in addi
tion to a time charge, to meet the work
ing expenses. Nothing could be fairer
than to charge for the nse of the tele
phone according to the duration of con
versation, and Dr. Strecker proposes to
nse a clock which goes as long as the con
versation ;asts.-New York Telegram.
A New Way to Throw Rice.
A practical joke which the best man at
an autumn wedding perpetrated was to
deliver to the porter of the parlor car in
which he saw them off a sealed telegraph
envelope with instructions to .deliver it
at a certain station. The darky duly did
so and the groom broke tho seal to have
a small avalanche of rice iwur through
his fingers. New York Times.
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