Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine.
Santiago, October 20,1891. (Received October 22.)
Mr. Egan states that the minister for foreign affairs refuses to recognize analogy of the cases cited by him or to discuss the question of the right of safe-conduct and repeats that the refugees are among those submitted to the tribunals. Safe-conducts have been and may be given, he says, in accordance with courtesy, convenience, and will of the Government and of the country and with certain restrictions and conditions; they can not modify refusal to grant safe-conduct, as motives of justice and convenience still exist. If this refusal should be considered a grievance to the legation of the United States, Chile would be astonished at the fact and would regret it. Mr. Egan regards this as a departure from Chile’s well-established policy. Chilean Government refuses by decree issued yesterday to submit certain persons now in the prisons to the courts of justice or to liberate them in accordance with order of the supreme courts. The Liberals gained a decisive victory over the Conservatives or Clericals in the election on the 18th.