Page:A history of Chile.djvu/412

 370 A HISTORY OF CHILE tions still more by sending out communications to the effect that there was untruth and insincerity in the re- ports of the United States naval officers and in the official communications. On the 2Tst of January, 1892, President Harrison communicated to the government of Chile the conclu- sions of the United States government in the form of an ultimatum, substantially as follows ; The assault was an attack upon the United States nav)', having its ori- gin and motive in a feeling of hostility tp the govern- ment of the United States ; the public authorities at Valparaiso failed in their duty, and the evidence led to the conclusion that Riggin was killed by the police and soldiers ; the United States government asked suit- able apologies and some adequate reparation for the injury done it. Receiving no reply to this before the 25th, President Harrison that day transmitted the correspondence and all the information connected with the affair to the United States congress, in a special message. While it was being read, Chile's reply came, and was gladly welcomed by the peace loving republic of the north ; for the affair was deplored first and last. The reply recited that the government of Chile had no data au- thorizing it to think that the affair in Valparaiso on October the i6th, was due to any dislike of the uniform of the United States, but regretting, and condemning the occurrence, and offering that the matter should be presented to the United States supreme court, for adju- dication as to whether there were any ground for re- paration, and if so, in what manner it should be made ; or if not to the United States supreme court, then to a tribunal of arbitration. The Matta letter was de- plored, a desire for cordial relations between the gov- ernments expressed, and the suggestion previously