The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-04
South America.
THE MILITARY OCCUPATION or AURAUCo

South America.
THE MILITARY OCCUPATION OF AURAuco.
ron the vaioarai-o Herald Oct Isl
One OF the most interesting subjects on the taps
Just now, Is the proposed military occupation OF
| Aurauco
| Aurauco is a province Of Chile, situated on the
south Of the Biobo river, and extending from thence
to the Valdvia, embracing the territory from lat. SO
"A to 80 So and from the Pacific to the Andes, say
| upwards Of 30, 900 square miles. Those who have
examined the territory speak Of IL in the highest
terms. AS an agricultural district they say 1t 10
without parallel in Chile-the grazing province Of
| the republic-abuDdantly watered by the multitude
nous streams which flow over the golden sands-rich
in coal felds-covered with flOcks of cattle-and
Inhabited by brave, warike, but savage race the
men most expert horsemen skilled in the use of
the lana and in throwing peculiar weapon consist
ing Of long thongs of hide loaded with balls of lead
at extremity, which have the effect to eotangle
what they strike and prevent its escape until other
weapons are brought to bear upon it !; in this way
cattle are caught and thrown to the ground and in
battle they cast them round the feet Of their adver
saries' horses, cripple them embanass their move
ments at the same time they ride with only one
when making charge-but they are ignorant of
the use OF gunpowder.
This rich country is of little use to the civilized
portion OF Chile and motion has been made in the
Chambers of Congress to occupy this beautiful coun-
try by military force, and II necessary remove the
Auraucans to some other place. so that the fine fields
may be brought under cultivation and the rich veins
friends of the proposition urge the measure on the
grounds that its success will result in o great in
crease Of wealth to the nation, and that it can be
easily accomplished; that recent travellers have de-
claed the available ances of the whole province not
to exceed five thousand, and that thirty thousand
souls is the utmost limit of the population, and
sequeutly not more than three or fonr thousand well
armed Chlians would be required for the conquest.
At the same time they repre- ent that it Is no war OF
extirpation; that though they would conquer,
they world not kill the Auraucans, but removethem to
some other point of the republic; that, in fact, it
woul1 be war OF mercy, since experience hasshow
that the savage state Is least adapted to long life
the savages kill another and believe that all who
are killed die on account Of some sins committed
previously. In short, they would civiliZe them. Ia
ABOLITION to all this, they plead right-the right Of
soveregntytbat the Indians have always recogn zed
TIE sovereignty of the king Of Spln aud that Chile
row enjoys the same rights as he did; that Chile now
exercises that sovereignty, in that many OF the
Caciques now re ceive salaries from government and
obey certain regulations consequently the govern
ment he's the right to occupy the uncultivated or
waste lands, which is all they propose to do
On the other hand, there are not wanting men
who oppose the measure with strong hands. They,
say that it is proposition tending to exterminate
the Auraucans; that it is carrying civilization at the
point of the sword; that the treaties of Quiin and
Negrete, repeatedly confirmed, forbid il; that these
treaties, which have never been infringed upon by
the Indians, should not be broken by the Christian
nation.
Again, it is urged that the Indians have fought
Gillian generals.
And further has Chile redundant population
On the contrary it not true that not single pro.
vince has population equal to her territory Is it
not true that the Auraucaian is the natural of
the soil and are not sales Of lands by the Indians
recognized as valid? The North Americans dis
guse their corquests under the name of annexation;
but the proposer Of this measure at single gulp,
would coDfscate the territory Of Aurauco.
And yet again, it is urged that Aurauco will prove
no easy conquest and the writer advises the Sena-
tors to recollec5 the of the famous Portuguese
General, who after having fought many battles in
Europe looked with supreme contempt upon GER
tain enemies who had neither SWORDS uniforms, nor
cannon; and, being unfortunately killed il the COM
mencement Of the action, never had an opportunity
Of changing his opinion.
And, finally it is urged that without dollar Of
expense, or a drop OF blood, the whole province can
be civilized by settling German colonies about the
borders when, in fifty years the Auraucans will be
civilized by contacts that those living the bor
ders already becoming So and are vastly differ
eDt IRON those living far in the interior, who have
little or no intercourse with the Chilians.
But, whatever theorists may say for or against the
project, there is doubt OF the wishes Of the people
ofConcepcion. correspondent from Conception
writes as follows =
+" The news Of the project for the re ,uction
Of Aurauco spreadthrough toc country Ike vid fire.
II is ncre 0be the enthusiasm caused by the idea OF
Incorporating this country with civilized pro-
viuce. All wish to be in motion, and to join ia all
the plaIs for the reduction. / have mentioned in
previous letter that this question presents tsef to
usin ihe South as one most easily reanAe. from
our knowledge Of the Indian mode of warfare. as
our people have frequent and victorious skirmishes
with ii EN-.
" You leople III the North believe tha.the Aurau-
cana are heroes, that their bravery is ndomisa5le
&c, but they are much mistaken who think Sd.
They retain no longer their primitive ferocty; they
are civilized in comparison with the times of The
conquest, and their vaor, which sprang from no
other cause than instructive barbarity aud cruelty
has degenerated to pusillanimity. Occasionally small
parties OF Christians pass through their country,
whenever they wish, AZ the sight Of whom the In-
dams away like thieves before the judges indeed,
wher never they see Christians, they imagine that
they are about to punish them for their thefts
!" They also informed of this project. and some
say that they have called council on the subject
while others declare that although they are aware OF
the agitation Of the subject yet they remain absorb
ed in their accustomed indolence.'