In January, 1891, civil war broke out in the republic of Chili between the Congressional forces and the established Government under President Balmaceda. Deeds of cruelty signalized the conflict, which continued until August 28, when the insurgent forces landed near Valparaiso and, after a bloody engagement, captured that city. President Balmaceda became a fugitive, and a few weeks later committed suicide, by shooting, at the residence of Señor Uribirru, the Argentine Minister.
During the conduct of the war, the Itata, an armed vessel, commanded by an officer of the Chilian insurgent fleet, was seized under process of the United States Court at San Diego, Cal., for a violation of the neutrality laws. This seizure and the subsequent escape, surrender, and return of the Itata, and the strict neutrality observed by the American Minister, Hon. Patrick Egan, and Admiral Brown, commanding the squadron, caused the victorious Chilians to manifest a spirit of animosity toward the Government and people of the United States. This feeling was intensified by the false statements published in the British press, notably the London Times, touching the conduct of Admiral Brown and the American Minister, and by the fact that the American Legation, exercising the established right of asylum, opened its doors to several prominent political refugees of the defunct Balmaceda Government.
On October 16, 1891, this hostility culminated in an attack, in the streets of Valparaiso, upon a number of sailors attached to the U. S. cruiser Baltimore, who were upon shore leave. These sailors, wearing their uniforms, were assaulted by armed men in different localities in the city; one petty officer was killed outright, and eight seamen seriously wounded, one of whom died a few days later. Many of their stab wounds were in the back. The news of this bloody and unprovoked attack sent a thrill of indignation across the American continent, and it was felt that the deadly insult must be atoned in blood. The war feeling was not lessened by the impudent tone of the reply from the Chilian Minister of Foreign Affairs. American indignation subsided somewhat pending a judicial inquiry into the attack, but the determination to expiate the insult had in no degree abated when, on November 14, Señor Don Pedro Montt was presented to President Harrison as the newly accredited Chilian Minister to the United States.
The reception of a new Minister is ordinarily a very formal and uninteresting affair, but the circumstances narrated—with the two governments apparently on the verge of war—lent an unusual interest to this official meeting; and the President's remarks, characterized by his usual frankness and firmness, called forth the approval of the whole Nation.
The Minister was accompanied by Señors Anibal Cruz, Secretary of Legation; Guillermo Arenanetegan and Valentin del Campo, attachés. After the formal introductions by Secretary Blaine, Señor Montt addressed the President in Spanish as follows:
Mr. President—I have the honor to present the credentials which accredit me in the capacity of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic of Chili in the United States of North America. The object of the mission which the Government of Chili has confided to me is to cultivate and maintain the relations of peace and friendship between the United States and Chili, which have ever been close and cordial. For the accomplishment of this purpose I rely upon the kindness and good-will which the United States Government has always manifested for the representatives of Chili. Permit me to express my country's sincere wishes for the prosperity and welfare of this noble country, which is so highly favored by Providence, and for your own happiness.
The President, in response, said:
Mr. Minister—I am glad to receive from your hands the letters accrediting you as the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic of Chili to the United States. The presence of a representative of the Government of Chili at this capital will, I hope, tend to promote a good understanding between the two governments and the early settlement, upon terms just and honorable to both, of the diplomatic questions now somewhat urgently awaiting adjustment. The Government of the United States, as well as its people, particularly desire and rejoice in the prosperity of all our neighbors in this hemisphere. Our diplomatic relations with them have always been and will continue to be free from intermeddling with their internal affairs. Our people are too just to desire that the commercial or political advantage of this Government should be sought by the promotion of disastrous dissensions in other countries. We hear with sorrow every fresh tale of war or internal strife, and are always ready to give our friendly offices to the promotion of peace. If these are not acceptable or do not avail, it is our policy to preserve an honorable and strict neutrality, as was done during the recent war in Chili. Tempting commercial and political advantages may be offered for our aid or influence by one or the other of the two contending parties, but this we have not deemed to be consistent with the obligations of international honor and good-will. This Government was quite as determined in its refusal to allow a war-vessel of the United States to carry to a neutral port, where it could be made available for war purposes, the silver of Balmaceda, as it was to give aid to the forces opposing him. The questions involved were Chilian questions, and this Government endeavored to observe those principles of non-intervention upon which it had so strongly insisted when civil war disturbed our own people. I cannot doubt that this policy will commend itself to those who now administer the Government of Chili; nor can I doubt that when excitement has given place to calmness, when the truth is ascertained and the selfish and designing perversions of recent incidents have been exposed, our respective governments will find a basis of increased mutual respect, confidence, and friendship.
Mr. Minister, this Government and our people rejoice that peace has been restored in Chili, and that its Government is the expression of the free choice of its people. You may assure your honored President, who has been chosen under circumstances which so strongly testify to his moderation and to the esteem in which he is held by the people of all parties, that the Government of the United States entertains only good-will for him and for the people of Chili, and cannot doubt that the existing and all future differences between the two governments will find an honorable adjustment. To you, Mr. Minister, I tender a personal welcome.