Mr. Egan to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Santiago, November 9, 1891.
(Received December 14.)
No. 224.]Sir: I bad the honor to fully inform you by
telegraph on 7th ins taut of an incident which occurred on 6th instant,
which for a time looked serious, but that passed over without trouble, and
which, owing to the
[Page 224]
course that I
adopted, resulted in a very complete vindication of this legation.
For several days the wildest rumors had been in circulation, actively
promoted by a section of the press, regarding an alleged conspiracy to
assassinate Col. Canto, which conspiracy, it was alleged, had originated
among the refugees in this legation. The inclosed cutting from La Union, of
Valparaiso (inclosure No. 1), will give an idea of how far this was carried,
and of course the object was to force out or frighten out the refugees from
the legation.
It was proposed to hold a public meeting in the plaza, about three blocks
from the legation, on the 6th instant, called by advertisement in the papers
and by a proclamation, of which I inclose a translation (inclosure No. 2).
It was also freely threatened that after the meeting the crowd would come to
the legation and take out the refugees by force.
I accordingly addressed to the minister of foreign relations a note, of which
I inclose copy (inclosure No. 3), directing his attention to the situation,
denying that there could be any grounds for the charges of conspiracy
against the persons in my legation, and leaving with his Government
responsibility for any act of disrespect that might be directed against the
legation.
Very soon after receipt of this note the Government sent a force of cavalry
to the neighborhood of the legation and no demonstration was attempted.
The meeting was held at about 5 o’clock and was attended by some 500 or 600
persons. Resolutions were passed and strong speeches made denouncing the
supposed conspiracy, calling for the delivery of the refugees, and referring
to this legation in not very complimentary terms. Afterwards the resolutions
were presented to Col. Canto and to the president of the Junta.
At about 6 o’clock, when the meeting was concluded, the intendente of the
province issued, as a result of my note, a proclamation, of which I inclose
a translation (inclosure No. 4), completely denying the existence of such a
conspiracy, which official denial is, of course, valuable, but would have
been much more so before the meeting was held.
I inclose a copy of the reply of the minister of foreign relations to my note
(inclosure No. 5).
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
224.—Translation.]
From La Union, December 6. By telephone.
The truth of yesterday’s news is confirmed.
Eighty prisoners, up to the present, have been taken.
The authorities are reserved, in order to avoid giving alarm.
All needful measures have been taken, and the conspiracy will not, heaven
be thanked, have the results proposed by Velasquez and MacKenna.
It is in the American legation that all has been plotted. And it is,
thanks to the inexplicable condescension of the Government toward the
obnoxious diplomat, that the affair has assumed its present
proportions.
To-morrow, in the Plaza de Armas, at 5 p.m., will be held a large meeting
to protest against the design to assassinate Col. Canto and other
dictatorial machinations.
In this meeting it will be agreed:
- (1)
- To request the Provisional Junta to adopt severe measures for
the punishment of the criminal outrages of the dictatorial
party.
- (2)
- To make immediately a great manifestation of sympathy for Col.
Canto, congratulating him on his escape from the assassin’s
dagger.
- (3)
- To request the Junta to solicit from the Government of the
United States the extradition of the refugees in the American
legation.
- (4)
- To request that Herreras Gandarillas, charged with the
assassination of Col. Canto, he immediately shot at
Santiago.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
224.—Translation.]
Proclamation calling meeting 5th November,
1891.
Citizens of Santiago, awake from the punishable lethargy in which you are
submerged! Are you not aware of the terrible attempt meditated and
nearly carried into execution by some of the partisans of the
dictatorship? Know, then, that the illustrious patriot, the great
soldier, the magnanimous citizen, the meritorious Col. Canto, has been
on the point of being a victim to the assassin’s dagger, employéd by
those who, in an unfortunate hour and to the shame of our country,
sustained for a handful of gold the man who attempted to trample upon
our institutions, enchain our will, and blemish our-country with the
odious crime of a dictatorship.
Citizens, we are free! and for our freedom 10,000 victims have fallen,
their generous blood flowing in a hundred battles, fought on the fields
of Maipu, Chacabuco, Rancagua, Iquique, Pisagua, Pozo Almonte, Huara,
Zapiga, Concon, and Placilla. May the shedding of so much blood be not
in vain!
Patent to our memory still are the crimes perpetrated by the dictator and
his myrmidons. Shall we permit the continuation of so many crimes,
committed with the greatest impunity, without demanding a terrible
punishment for the miserable wretches who, from their hiding places,
have directed the criminal’s arm that perpetrated them? No, a thousand
times no! The timepiece of Justice has sounded the hour for
chastisement. We will commence by demanding that an exemplary
chastisement be given to those who, in a high-handed manner, have
attempted the precious life of one of the personalities who with great
warmth and patriotism promptly gave their services to the cause of our
regenerated politics.
With this motive we invite you to attend the public meeting which will
take place to-day at 5 p.m. in the Plaza de Armas.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 224.]
Mr. Egan to Señor
Matta.
Legation of the United States,
Santiago, November 6,
1891.
Sir: It has been intimated to this legation
that certain demonstrations of hostility against it are contemplated in
connection with a public meeting which is called for to-day at 5 o’clock
p.m. in the Plaza de Armas, and in connection therewith I inclose to
your excellency a copy of La Union, of Valparaiso, and of a proclamation
which has been circulated inviting the people to this meeting.
The violent manner in which certain organs of the press—as for example,
La Epoca and La Union—pretend to believe that some of the refugees in
this legation are conspiring against the public order, obliges me to
address to your excellency this note, denying absolutely those
assertions which affect me personally as chief of this legation, and to
leave with the Government of your excellency under the present
circumstances, as also in whatever others may arise, the responsibility
of whatever act may affect the respect due to this legation.
I perceive that authorized organs of opinion, like the Ferrocarril and
the Porvenir, after investigating the circumstances of the alleged
conspiracy against the public order, give assurances that there is not
any foundation for those fears, and that the rumors circulated by the
other journals are devoid of truth. Notwithstanding that this should be
sufficient to dispose of this calumnious rumors referred to, they are
still persisted in with an evident purpose of making difficulties, and I
therefore find it my duty to rectify them in all that concerns the
legation in my charge. Hoping that your excellency will take the
measures that may be considered adequate under the circumstances, I
renew to your excellency the assurances of my distinguished
consideration, and have the honor to subscribe myself,
Your obedient servant,
[Page 226]
[Inclosure 4 in No.
224.—Translation.]
Proclamation of the intendente of
Santiago.
To the People of Santiago:
The rumors circulated in the press in regard to designs against the life
of Col. Canto have no foundation. Nobody has been arrested upon the
charge and no information has been received to warrant judicial
investigation regarding the matter.
Carlos Lira.
Santiago, November 6,
1891.
[Inclosure 5 in No.
224.—Translation.]
Señor Matta to Mr.
Egan.
Ministry of Foreign Relations,
Santiago, November 7,
1891.
Sir: There has been received, on yesterday at
4:30 o’clock, the note in which the honorable minister plenipotentiary,
accompanied by some printed matter announcing a public meeting, called
the attention of this department to the possibility of certain
occurrences which the tenor of said printed matter gave grounds for and
which it was a duty to avoid.
The present Government, recognizing and permitting the liberty of the
press and of public meetings, does not forget, nor can it forget, to
exercise the powers of supervision which are imposed not alone by the
laws but by the exceptional circumstances from which it (the Government)
and the country are issuing; but it does not alarm itself, however it
may disapprove the vivacities and misdemeanors of speech, spoken and
written, which, as has been observed by the honorable minister
plenipotentiary, were not borne out by the results.
With what has been expressed and with the facts in the knowledge of the
honorable minister plenipotentiary, reiterating the expression of his
consideration, the undersigned subscribes himself,
Your obedient servant,
