In his annual message to Congress, December 9, President Harrison concludes his remarks upon Chilian affairs relating to the attack upon the sailors of the cruiser Baltimore with the following significant paragraphs:
So far as I have yet been able to learn, no other explanation of this bloody work has been suggested than that it had its origin in hostility to these men as sailors of the United States, wearing the uniform of their Government, and not in any individual act or personal animosity. The attention of the Chilian Government was at once called to this affair, and a statement of the facts obtained by the investigation we had conducted was submitted, accompanied by a request to be advised of any other or qualifying facts in the possession of the Chilian Government that might tend to relieve this affair of the appearance of an insult to this Government. The Chilian Government was also advised that if such qualifying facts did not exist, this Government would confidently expect full and prompt reparation.
It is to be regretted that the reply of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government was couched in an offensive tone. To this no response has been made. This Government is now awaiting the result of an investigation which has been conducted by the criminal court at Valparaiso. It is reported unofficially that the investigation is about completed, and it is expected that the result will soon be communicated to this Government, together with some adequate and satisfactory response to the note by which the attention of Chili was called to this incident. If these just expectations should be disappointed or further needless delay intervene, I will, by a special message, bring this matter again to the attention of Congress for such action as may be necessary. The entire correspondence with the Government of Chili will at an early day be submitted to Congress.
[PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD EMPLOYEES.]
[Extract from President's Message, December 9, 1891.]
On the evening of August 5, 1888, at Indianapolis, General Harrison, responding to an address from D. T. Downs, President of the Terre Haute Railroad Club, and in the presence of several thousand railroad employees, speaking of the heroic services rendered by the men who operate the great railroad lines of the country, said:
I do not doubt that certain and necessary provisions for the safety of the men who operate these roads will yet be made compulsory by public and general law. The dangers connected with your calling are very great, and the public interest, as well as your own, requires that they should be reduced to the minimum. I do not doubt that we shall yet require that uniformity in the construction of railroad cars that will diminish the danger of those, who must pass between them in order to make up trains.
Consistent with these views, President Harrison, in his message to Congress, December 9, 1891, made the following pertinent suggestions: