Mr. Wilson to Mr. Hay.
Santiago, March 24, 1900.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the U. S. S. Hartford, Captain Hawley commanding, arrived in Valparaiso Harbor March 6 and remained in port until the 17th. The officers and seamen were made the recipients of many courtesies on part of the Chilean naval officials and hospitable treatment was universally accorded to them. Forty of the sailors came to Santiago upon leave of absence and while here conducted themselves in a perfectly creditable manner. The officers of the Hartford were invited to many public receptions, and upon the invitation of the intendente of Valparaiso the ship’s band furnished music upon the plaza during one evening, being substituted for the Chilean military band. I am of the opinion that the visits of our naval vessels to Chile contribute to an improvement of the relations between the two countries and recommend that such visits be made at frequent intervals.
I have, etc.,