Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine.
Santiago, September 27, 1891. (Received September 28.)
Mr. Egan acknowledges the receipt of two telegrams from the Department, and states that since yesterday no more arrests have been made, but the espionage by the police was still kept up. In the matter of [Page 168] asylum, Mr. Egan says he has acted strictly in the spirit of the Department’s instructions in the Barrundia affair. Three notes have been received from the minister for foreign affairs, in which he charges that the refugees had abused the right of asylum, and for this reason defends action towards legation. Mr. Egan has informed minister that the charge is absolutely and entirely unfounded, and has asked for safe-conduct for refugees. Similar requests had been made by him two weeks previous informally, but orders were given that all persons leaving the legation should be arrested, and many persons were thus obliged to procure passports to visit the legation. The names of the refugees and the offenses charged (none of them being charged with common crimes), are as follows: Gana, responsibility as the commander-in-chief of the army and as minister and senator; Ibañez, MacKenna, Cruzat, Valdés Carrera, MacKenna, as ministers and senators; Bicardo Yieuna and Ovalle, senators; Cotapos, member of Congress; Camus and Pintoagiiero, officers of the army; two sons of Cotapos and Pintoagiiero, no office. Spanish minister has asked for safe-conduct for five persons in his legation. Safe-conduct was immediately granted to two officers of the army who entered English legation. Befugees are also in German and other legations. Process commenced after asylum was granted, and minister of foreign affairs fully recognized the correctness of Mr. Egan’s action. The rights and dignity of the legation, Mr. Egan says, he shall firmly maintain.