I extend to you the welcome of the people and of the Government.
Heartily do I say to you, in the name of all Chileans: Be welcome.
We were preparing to entertain you in magnificent style, but it was the
will of Providence to visit us with a bitter trial, so we are now
receiving you in a modest manner.
Come and see, sir, what we have suffered. Morally, we have suffered
much; for several thousands of our brothers perished in the catastrophe
of August 16. Materially speaking, we lose the greater part of our
principal port and of several cities of minor importance, together with
the profits which cease in consequence. Behold now, sir, what remains to
us and how we are rising. Our productive forces are alive and sound;
agriculture, mining, and manufacturing have scarcely suffered, and our
saltpeter treasures continue to exist.
Public order remained undisturbed; generally speaking, the reign of the
law was maintained; the authorities fulfilled their duty; and the navy,
glorious guardian of half our territory, which is the ocean, was saved
intact. Therefore, all we sons of Chile are of cheerful heart.
The virility of a country is worth more than the splendor of its
monuments. It does not humiliate us, therefore, to have you see houses
and towns destroyed, for it was not a civil war or a foreign enemy which
razed them to the ground, but a higher hand. It is rather a source of
pride to us to have you witness the integrity and unity of the Chileans.
The fortitude of our race and our good sense will cause us to rise again
in a short time to a greater prosperity.
You plainly see that Chile is still entire, and that our misfortune was
more painful than injurious.
We did not, therefore, think for a moment that you might postpone your
visit. On the contrary, we telegraphed to you a few hours after the
earthquake: "Our home is demolished; but come, sir, for we are safe,
calm, and diligent."
Besides, the plain dignity of your character, which we knew, and the
objects of your visit encouraged us to speak to you.
You have come, most excellent sir, to offer your over-production to our
consumers, and to ask a larger place for the Americans in the Chilean
heart.
You are going to obtain all that. But, besides this, Mr. Root, please
bear to the sons of the United States, and especially to our brothers in
misfortune at San Francisco, California, a sacred homage--the intense
gratitude of the society and Government of Chile for the generous aid to
our sufferers by which the Americans are proving to us that along with
greatness of power they have greatness of heart.
We knew of all this greatness. With a territory covering half a
continent and nourished by every kind of riches, with a firm and
impulsive character, with broad and far-reaching views along every
channel which human activity can pursue, and endowed with a clear
instinct of what is possible, the Americans have become useful and
wealthy.
They understood two essential things, namely, that government is not
merely a pleasant and covetable ideal, but a fundamental necessity, and
that the greatest value does not consist in traditions or fortune, but
in personal merit. They therefore abolished every unjustified
distinction of superiority and organized as a democracy.
The result of the combination of such rare and happy moral and material
elements has been the springing up of a nation as powerful as the most
powerful, and in freedom equaled by none.
And how well the United States know that there is no greatness without
liberty!
Since the consciousness of right has become deeper, principles of
respect and faith have become implanted in the commonwealth of nations,
whatever be the extent of their territory, their population, or their
armed forces. The inveterate abuses of force are disappearing. The
principle which, being embodied into a law of equality among all the
nations, always prevails at present in international relations is that
of liberty for the weaker side.
The American Union--the free country--years ago established its foreign
policy on the plan of equality. Its commercial flag waves throughout the
world without arrogance or spirit of intervention.
Your natural wisdom tells you, Mr. Root, that you do not need any other
than mercantile expansion, and still more that none other would be
suited to you.
You have of late repeatedly given practical and unmistakable
testimonials that this is your policy.
You have stated so yourself at Rio de Janeiro, and your presence among
us is a further proof that your purposes are friendly and frank.
Let us enter into commercial relations with the United States with
friendship and confidence. We shall proceed as far as is mutually
beneficial to us, and this will be shown us by the natural laws of
mercantile transactions.
The Government desires that American goods shall come to Chile in
abundance to facilitate living, and it earnestly desires at the same
time that Chilean products may be multiplied and that they may endeavor
to offset these importations.
Since the sixteenth of August we have been pushing more resolutely than
before the work of our restoration. We have all the moral factors,
namely, order, will, and an apt and energetic people. We also have
incalculable and extremely varied natural resources. There is only one
material factor in which we may be short, namely, capital, which is a
powerful force if well employed.
Chile will be glad to see American capital come and establish itself in
our commercial and industrial circulation. It will blend well with
Chilean honor and will prosper under the protection of our laws, which
are liberal with the foreigner, and under the shelter of our government,
which is unshakable.
We are certain that Chilean interests will meet the same respect from
the government of the Union that we cherish for American interests.
The infinite variety of articles of supply and consumption will
certainly enable the interchange of goods between Chile and America to
increase without narrowing the horizons of our commerce with friendly
markets, which today bring us capital, raw materials, workmen, and
manufactures.
The American Union has happily solved its internal and foreign problems,
has established its political and economic power on a firm basis, and
is, finally, in full enjoyment of its natural greatness and freely
exercising all its energies at the present time. We have attentively
observed that it desires to promote the progress of the world and to see
the other nations of Christendom, especially the American republics,
associated in this great work on terms of equality, friendship, and
mutual benefit.
We respond, therefore, to its affectionate call by declaring that we are
imbued with sincere faith in the friendship of the government and the
people of the United States; we utter fervent wishes that our mutual
confidence may become strengthened and be free of misgivings; and we
prophesy that the _rapprochement_ which the eminent Secretary of State
now visiting us has initiated will be of beneficent influence on our
international cordiality and bring prosperous results for our
development.
Most excellent Mr. Root, His Excellency the President of the Republic
requests you to say to the illustrious President Roosevelt and to your
fellow-citizens that the Chilean people fraternize cordially with the
American people; that our markets are free to them; that we admire your
government officials; that your most excellent minister, Mr. Hicks,
enjoys our highest esteem and good feeling; and that we have received
you and your most worthy family with open hearts.