The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-12-10
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, Dec. 10. 1865.
Spain and Chilli.

formation with regard to the war between
Spain and Chill, and indicates that Spain
IS an aggrcssor. The war, as will be seen
by the foreign news VIC published a day or
two ago, is attracting considerable attcn-
ton in England
Since tho blessed consummation OF q
pcaceable and satisfactory adjustment of
the recent slight misunderstanding be-
tween the people of the Southern States
and the Federal Government, tho greater
part of the attention which we have had to
spare from our own prosperous affairs, has
been monopoiiZed by the divertirg pas
time gotten up by a Franco-Datch troupe
Of performers, for the entertainment of our
appreciative neighbocs across the Rio
Grande. For special reasons, we have
watched this performance with peculiar
interest. For some time, however, occa-
siDT.ally, when the interest was not alto
gether absorbing between the acts, &c
wc.have felt a sort of half consciousness
that there was an indstinct rumbling
dir tant clashing and booming going on,
for which we did not trouble ourselves to
ask an explanation. 1t now appears that
the causes were entirely natural. 1t was
only political earthquake in Peru, and
volcanic eruption in Paraguay, in which q
flood of red-hot Paraguayans was precipi-
tated upon the unsuspecting citizens Of
Uruguay, Brazil and the Argentine Re-
public. The Spanish American cannot
hive except under "sulphurous canopy"
Such commissions are common in the
regions he inhabits. They are regarded
as mere harmless ebullitions of supertluous
vitality, and are taken as gratifying in
dications of normal and healthy con-
dition.
The South Americans are q race Of San
grades, and believe in blood-letting. But
looking over and beyond the Imperial Re-
y)llbllC Of Mexico wc observe pOrtoufOua
appearances On the Pacific coast; some
thing of far moro significance to us than
the two wars now raging between the
Government Of Peru and the insurgents,
and between Paraguay and the Confcde-
rated Allies, respectively.
Spain has been for long time suspici-
o lsly proving about among the South
American States. Her conduct gives rise
to the conjecture that she is contemplate
ing an attempt to reclaim her revolted
colonies She prates necessarily and
unanimously about revindication Of an
cient rights" Indeed, she has already
commenced her aggressions, and seems to
be at but slight pains to conceal her pur-
pose. Some time ago she made demand
on Peru for an enormous sum, resting her
claim ON some absurdly frivolous pretc1t.
When her demand was refused she pro-
ceeded to enforce it, and wrested from the
Peruvian Government the Chincha Islands,
rich in their untold wealth of guano. The
Republic of Chili-situated South of Boil
via, the "berm" Of the Andes-a narrow
strip eleven hundred miles in length, and
averaging hundred miles in width lying
between the mountains and the Pacific
Ocean-refused to sanction this spoliation
of her sister State. She, however, pro-
claimed herself neutral between the bclli-
gercnts. Spain alleged that she violated
her neutrality, by allowing Peruvian war
vessels to coal in her ports, and denying
She same privilege to Spanish vessels.
keparation was demanded. The matter
vas, however, amicably arranged with the
Spanish Minister, then resident in Chill
Spain, having for 4 long time allowed this
adjustment to stand, without objection,
now revives the difference, as pretcxt for
forcing . war upon Chill.
On the 17th of September, the Spans,
Eigate, Villa dc Madrid, having on board
Admiral Par"j", anchored off Valparaiso.
The Admiral at once sent to the Chilian
Minister Of Foreign Affairs his credentials,
showing that he was clothed with diploma
tic powers. He also sent all elaborate
document, in which he informed the
Gillian Government that the arrange
meats, which they thought final, were not
sanctioned by Spain; and ended by re-
iterating his Governments demands for
reparatlon. In addition to this, he cxacted
that one Of the Chlian forts should salute
the Spanish ensign with salvo Of twenty
one guns, which salute would be answered
by one of an equal number Of the Chilian
flag. This impcrious demand was made
more insulting by addition OF 4 threat
that, in the event of its being refused,
hostilities would be commenced in four
days. The Chllian Government appears to
have dcmeaned itself with most admirable
dignity and nrmness. 1t most emphacti-
ca!iy refused tic demand in toto.
The minister had now accomplished his
mission, and resumed his character as
Admiral. On the 24th Of September, ho
notified the consular bodies III Chill that
the ports of the Hepublic were in a state
Of blockade. O.i the 2oth, i'rcsident PeraZ
announced III u proclamation ;hat Clil
accepted the war thus forced upon her.
The EeXt day war was formally declared
b. Congress.
Il is llauSiil: cAuinct urcl liat ii.. Nm