Mr. Egan to Mr. Blaine.
Santiago, October 23, 1891. (Received October 24.)
Mr. Egan states that he has informed the Chilean minister for foreign affairs that he will, in view of the refusal to grant safe-conduct to the refugees contrary to Chile’s well-established international policy, suspend the discussion until his Government resolves what it considers proper under the circumstances. Mr. Egan pointed out to the Chilean minister, however, that the legitimacy of the asylum in this case having been repeatedly admitted, the refugees can not be considered subject to judicial power without the consent of the Government of the United States, and that, as the decree of October 19 nullifies the reason advanced in the minister’s previous notes for refusing safe-conduct, and the minister having admitted that safe-conducts have been and may be given, the interpretation of the United States of the refusal as an act of slight courtesy and consideration can not be a cause for surprise.