Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine.
Santiago, November 7, 1891.
Mr. Egan reports the attacks which a certain part of the press has been directing against the legation for some days and alleging a conspiracy, in which the refugees in the legation are represented as being implicated, for the purpose of murdering the commander of the army, [Page 218] and mentions one newspaper report according to which the plot originated in the legation, and announcing the arrest of eighty persons. In consequence of this a public meeting was called last evening, at which speeches were made against the alleged conspiracy and resolutions passed calling on the Government to request the delivery of the refugees. Threats of violence against the legation had been previously circulated without hindrance. He says that no hostile demonstration was attempted, the Government having sent a force of cavalry near the legation after the receipt of his note calling attention to the situation, denying in toto the charges of conspiracy made against the United States legation and holding the Government responsible for any disrespect shown to the legation. He says that a proclamation was issued by the governor of the province, after the meeting had been held, denying that any designs had been entertained against the life of Col. Canto, or any arrest made, or any necessity existed for a judicial investigation, but adds that some denial should have been made public prior to the meeting and before the legation had been permitted to be publicly denounced.