The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-03
The Spanish War Against Chill - The
BOmbaIdment of Valparaiso.

from the Times.
In a military point of view the bombardment
of the city Of Valparaiso by the Spanish
squadron, of which we have accounts this morn.
ing, did not amount to much. The Spanish
squadron consisted of six ships, only four OF
which were actively engaged in the work OF
bOmbardment. The bonn bardment lasted for
three hours, or from nine in the morning until
noon. Only one or two persons who were in
the streets were killed. The damage to pro-
perty was confned to few public buildings,
and half a dozen private houses; and eight mil
lion dollars are the outside figures of the losses
incurred. 1t is evident from the BUILDINGS men,
toned as being specially and steadily aimed at
that the Spanish commander attempted only to
destroy Government property, and we can well
believe the statement that the damage done ont
side OF this arose mainly from the bad artillery
practice OF the Spanish fleet. The Spanish COM
mapder gave the Chiian authorities four, days
notice of his purpose, and notified also the for
eigu consuls, and the naval vessels Of other
powers that were in the harbor.
The small amount of damage to person and
property, in city of eighty thousand inhabit-
ants, from three hours BON bardment by four
Spanish war ships, will not astonish those who
remember the limited results from the great
bombardments OF our own recent war. Take
the case OF Vicksburg, for instance or Peters
burg or even the remarkable case of Charleston,
which latter city suffered far more than any other
Southern city from the fire of artillery, and il
will be seen how little formidable in reality
was the brief bombardment OF Valparaiso. A
bombardment is an operation that naturally ter
rites the people of a city, and may sometimes
indirectly produce important military results.
But in itself, unless it be carried on with great
persistency, with great number of powerful
guns, for great length of time, and with de-
termined and comprehensive purpose, it usually
neither effects any serious damage, nor accom-
plishes much that is of value.
In a diplomatic and International point of
M al oiGn
matter of some moment, and came very near
having highly important bearings and issues.
After the Spanish commander had given noti-
hcAtion of the forthcoming event. protests
against it were entered by the representatives,
not only OF the four "allied Governmentsn Of
South America, but by those of every American
power, from Brazil to the United States, and by
those of every European power from Great
Britain and France to Denmark and Sweden
Our own Minister to Chill General Kilpatriek),
and our naval commander (Rodgersj in the
harbor OF Valparaiso were especially active in
their efforts to prevent the bombardment, and to
induce settlement of the dispute between the
bellgerents. General Fitzpatrick proposed a
method OF settlement OF an apparently very Just
ana comprehensive character, and made so much
progress that he induced the Spanish COM
mander 10 express willingness to accept all the
fundamental Conditions. But on one point-and
that, as was natural for Spanard, a point of
e,tquette-ner lic HatnSlic Maiesty's representative,
who unites IN hlmselt both military aud diplo.
matte powers, was infeAible He insisted that
Chill should salute the Spanish flag. and should
offer the first salute. All efforts 10 effect a com
promise on this point failed. II was natural
enough, therefore, that there shoeld have been
considerable indignation at the obsdnacv of the
Spaniards; and it appears it even went 40 far as
very strong desire on the part OF the English
and American officers to adopt forcible mea.
sures against the Spanish commander. "Com.
modore Rodgers we are told, "Who commands
the special American feet in the Pacific, was
ready to prevent the bombardment, even had he
been Obliged TO blow the Spanish fleet out of the
waters" and it is unquestionable that 1t would
with the four 5OO-pounders of the monitor Mo-
qlddnock alone. at further appears we are
told, that the British Admiral had promised
the support of his vessels in this work. The
temptation on all hands was certainly great.
There was great indignation on the part OF
the foreign, and especially the British residents
Rsawell as on the part Of the Chilians, at the