Mr. Egan to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Santiago, November 30, 1891.
(Received January 13, 1892.)
No. 241.]
Sir: I have the honor to send herewith copy of
communication from Capt. Schley, of the Baltimore,
dated 24th instant, with attached correspondence between him and the
intendente of Valparaiso up to that date, in relation to the attack upon the
men of his ship in Valparaiso on 16th October.
As will be seen from the correspondence, the men of the Baltimore appeared before the judge of the court of crimes and
gave their evidence on 20th instant, under the conditions approved by the
Navy Department.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 241.]
Capt. Schley to Mr.
Egan.
U. S.
S. Baltimore (First
Rate),
Valparaiso, November 24,
1891.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose copies of the
last dispatch of the Secretary of the Navy, referring to the testimony
to be given by my men before the judge of the criminal court here, and
of notes exchanged with the intendente of the province in relation to
this matter. This will bring your files up to date.
I would also state that my men have appeared and given their testimony to
the court.
Very respectfully,
W. S. Schley,
Captain Commanding.
[Inclosure A.]
Captain Schley to
the intendente of Valparaiso.
U. S.
S. Baltimore,
Valparaiso, November 17,
1891.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency
that my men who were wounded in the disturbance of October 16 last are
now able to appear as cited by the judge of the criminal court, and will
be accompanied by an officer as interpreter, who will authenticate such
testimony as may be given.
I would request, at the same time, that his honor will oblige me by
appointing the earliest practicable day for this hearing.
I have, etc.,
W. S. Schley,
Captain Commanding.
[Page 247]
[Inclosure B.—Translation.]
The intendente of
Valparaiso to Capt. Schley.
Republic of Chile, Intendencia of Valparaiso,
Valparaiso, November 17, 1891.
I have had the honor to receive your official letter, in which you do me
the favor to state that it is not inconvenient for your sailors, wounded
in the events of October 16 last, to appear before the judge in the
case.
As soon as I receive an answer from the judge of the criminal court
relative to your quoted official letter, which I have transcribed to
said judge, I shall have the pleasure to communicate it to you.
God guard you.
[Inclosure C.—Translation.]
The intendente of
Valparaiso to Capt. Schley.
Republic of Chile, Intendencia of Valparaiso,
Valparaiso, November 18, 1891.
The judge of the criminal court, in an official letter of this date,
informs me as follows:
“At this moment I have received your note of yesterday, and in replying
to it permit me to say that this tribunal will put into execution the
pending confrontation of witnesses between the sailors of the Baltimore and the culprits in the cause, the 20th
of the present month, from 3 to 4 p.m.
“Do me the kindness to transmit the present communication to the captain
of the Baltimore”
Which I have the honor to bring to your knowledge for the purpose in
view.
God guard you.
[Inclosure D.—Translation.]
The intendente of
Valparaiso to Capt. Schley.
Republic of Chile, Intendencia of Valparaiso,
Valparaiso, November 18, 1891.
The judge of the criminal court, under date of the 16th of this month,
informs me as follows:
“In the process which this tribunal has instituted with respect to the
disorders of the 16th of October last, it has been directed that I reply
to you with relation to what the captain of the Baltimore asks in the official letter, a copy of which you
have been good enough to send, with your note No. 3305 of the 11th of
the present month, as follows:
“‘Valparaiso, November 13, 1891.
“‘I will reply to the intendente of the province that this
tribunal will be able to give all the copies which may be asked
of the declarations taken in this examination by the sailors of
the Baltimore and other witnesses in the
cause when the process, having passed to completion, shall not
require the legal seerecy exacted by the present state of the
same.
“‘I tell you this in order that you may do me the favor to bring
to the knowledge of the captain above named the contents of the
present communication.’”
Which I transcribe for your information and consequent ends.
God guard you.
