Mr. Wharton to Mr. Egan.
Washington, September 26, 1891.
Mr. Wharton instructs Mr. Egan, by direction of the President, to insist firmly that the respect and inviolability due to the minister of the United States and to the legation buildings, including free access, shall be given and observed, fully and promptly, by the Chilean authorities. The Government of the United States is prepared to consider in a friendly spirit the question as to whether asylum has under the circumstances been properly given to the persons now at the legation when the facts are more fully before it; but it can not allow to pass without a firm protest the evidence of disrespect towards its minister which Mr. Egan reported. It is expected that this protest will be followed by prompt action on the part of the authorities of Chile. The Department expects to be fully advised of the progress of events.