Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine
Santiago, August 20, 1891. (Received November 13.)
Sir: For some time two of the most important members of the opposition party, Don Agustin Edwards and Don Eduardo Matte, have been in this legation, because, from threats made against them by supporters of the Government, and even in the official newspapers, they and I had reason to fear that their lives were in danger. Mr. Edwards with his family left some days ago for Callao, under safe-conduct specially granted to him by President Balmaceda, but Mr. Matte is still here.
On yesterday the minister of foreign relations, Mr. Zañartu, called unofficially upon Mr. Uriburu, dean of the diplomatic body, and stated to him that the President was much annoyed about the fact that some members of the opposition were in the legations. He made the threat that if they did not leave immediately the Government would be obliged to search the legations, and he particularly referred to this one.
On learning from Mr. Uriburu the full particulars of this conversation I called at the ministerio and met the subsecretary, who was in charge. In the course of an informal conversation I referred to the visit of the minister of foreign relations to Mr. Uriburu, and I stated to him that if the Government desired to raise the question of asylum I would be prepared to discuss it on the proper basis and in the most friendly spirit; but that, with regard to the threat to search the legation, it should be distinctly understood that this legation could only be searched by force, and that I would myself shoot the first man that should attempt to enter the legation for that purpose.
To-day I received from the President direct an assurance that there is no intention to search any of the legations, and above all that of the United States.
I have, etc.,