The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-21
Causes and Commencement
Of the Struggle.
WAITING FOR THE END.
Graphic Description of the Cap
ture of Pisagua.
MAGNIFICENT FIGHTING.

tain nitrate mines py the DOuVlaus DOnVlo Ia v
small State lying between Chile and Peru. 1t has
high. steep coast, with but seaport. and
that not a very good one. In the southern part OF
Peru. all through Bolivia and the northern portion
of Chile. rich nitrate mines. Nitre from which
is obtained satpere is the great export and source
Of wealth of the country The Bolivians were too
poor. lazy and inefficient to work thoir own mines,
and rented them to an enterprsing Chilean company.
1t wis stipulated by the two governments that
the Chileans should work the mines and improve
the shipping facilities by fixing the harbor and re-
moving many of its distractions. In consideration
OF this Bolivia exempted the company from all taxa
ton. For time this plan worked without
trouble. until Bolivia. wishing to raise some funds.
taxed tho mining companies. And this violation of
their agreement the Bolivians say the Cheans.
brought on the war that is waging. On the
other hand. the Bolivians claimed that the harbor
not being improved sufficiently. and moreover
the Chieans were assuming unjustifable author
ty and trying to control the country Both PARTIES
in my opinion are to blame. Regarding the imposi-
ton Of the tax there can be doubt regarding the
other point. writer's differ. Hence the 1t will
TO wondered what Peru has to do with this affair,
and very reasonably too. for nobody seems to COM
prehend the eagerness with which she interfered
THE FORTUNES
Till recently the Peruvians, with the Huascar.
have boon victorious. They sunk wooden frigate,
whipped sloop-of-war and captured many prizes.
During this time the two Chilean iron-clads were
being thoroughly repaired. AS soon rs they were
ready they attacked the Huascar off Mejillones and
most thoroughly whipped her. But tho full par
hculars of this fearful engagement have already been
widely published, and people have shuddered as they
read OF the brave captain of tho Huascar-how lie
was shot away, blown right through the turret, not
; trace OF him left behind a few scattered
laat xyt11 NOT MIA tn afv f1.n
ladders 'and passages of the Huascar, SO piled
md choked with bloody corpses that men
could nos get into the snip to stop the engines.
BY the capture of the Huascar Peru lost her main
stay on the ocean. After the engagement the prize
was towed into Valparaiso. where she is being re-
fitted. soon to appear against her former owners.
1t was about the LIST or October the Huascar
lest, and immediately everybody in Peru went into
mourning. The two monitors OF Peru are kept for
harbor defence-one at Callao. which everybody
knows the Chieans do not intend to attack; the
will not attack. All the transports and the fast
wooden sloop-of-war Union remain at Callao, all
ready for action because there will be no action.
About the LIST of this month the Chilean fleet put
into q. place in Peru called Pisagua, where
there was small Peruvian force. This fleet
under cover of their guns who charged up steep,
sandy mountain and gained the place. By this bold
SOIL The reason for the Chileans' delay in making
this landing was the necessity of thoroughly drill
ing and disclplining their men, For the last two or
three months this force has been drilled regularly
by competent Officers, and they will in day two
show the benefit of this training.
t CHIIEASs PREPARED.
To go on with the war the Chileans are splen-
didly equipped their artillery is OF the newest aud
best. likewise their arms and ammunition. They
have also several Calling guns After gaining the
heights OF Pisagua the army moved eastward
ana then southwark. intending to march
army are two armios-ono Of 1000 men,
moving from Iquique toward them. and another
of 5000 Bolivians marching from the northward
The Chileans are thus to be surrounded But they
will doubtless come out all right, as the opposing
n Mm,es are oadiy aisc,pi,hea ana badly equipped
Chileans win the war is virtually The
of this port the great nitro depot and the
controlling OF the mines arc all that Chile wants
Why the Peruvians will fight it out is understood
when we recolect that the whole of the
wealth OF their country and their country itself are
at stake. II, In the approaching battle the Peru
VANS defeated they will fee to this place. Then
the feet of Chile, now forty miles away will como in
and lombard the place.
I have been shore from ship and walked
through the deserted streets of Iquique The few peo
pie remaining in the town stay shore in the day.
time. but spend their nights on board the merchant
men in the harbor. On every side evidences Of
the longest and most sorrowful faces imaginable.
They fear every hour to hear of the defeat Of
their army and the entrance of the harbor by the
Chilean men-of-war and the bombardment OF their
city. They lead life of anxious waiting and know
not the events Of the hour. The Chilean force
is at present crossing the sandy desert between the
two places while the Peruvians awaiting tho at
tack The distance between the two places is about
thirty miles At present the Chileans are within
fifteen miles Of the Peruvians.
THE CAPTURE OF PIsAGUA-GRAPHIC MARIA
TIVE OF AN EYE wITNEss--A DESPERATE
CHARGE AND SPLENDID FIGHTING BY THE
CHILEANs.
PIsAGuA. Peru. Nov. s. 1879.
Since the loss of the Huascar, one month ago, the
Chileans have been gathering troops and for
Q descent upon Peruvian territory SO well had the
secret of their destination been kept that the allies
scarcely knew of their embarkaton before the fleet
was before Pisagua. For months past Pisagua had
boen pretty heavily garrisoned; but Us the appre-
hension of attack upon either africa or Iquique
increased. these troops were gradually reduced in
numbers until but 900 Boivians renamed. For
batteries there 100pounder Parrott; breast
works and rifle pits there none. The sole pop
ulation were soldiers. and the town. most of which
was burned in the bombardmen. of April II.
offered scanty shelter. Inhabitants. in the
ordinary sense Of tho word, there were none.
The railroad still in good condition, but
tho warehouses for the storage of nitrates were
demolished. pisagua in itself could be of but
trhing value to either party. but its position be-
tween africa and lquiquo. it's railway into the interior.
and tho harbor, all combined to render IL OF great
value as base of operations and its easy acquisition
will prove OF great advantage to the Chileans The
coast range rises abruptly behind the town to an
elevation Oh 1000 feet. and both railroad and car
'iage road have recourse to zgzags to the
grade. In many places the hisides slope over fifty
degrees, and 1t looks impossible for any man TO
ascend their sandy sides So steep these slopes
and so easy dcfensiblc that 1t was no part of tho
original plan OF attack to ascend them often
the the impetus of the assault carried the men
onward without stop. and the Chilean infantry
charged the hill though advancing over level
plain.
APPEARANCE OF THE oHIIEASs.
The Chilean army was embarked at Antofagasta
and tho transports, escorted by three men-otwar APP
pearod in the oiing ut seven o'clock upon the morn
ing of the "a OF November. The bombardinent of
tNe battery ashore began at half.past soven and In
less than fifteen minutes the loOpounder had been
struck and abandoned by its crew. Tho Bolivans
ashore. finding the fire too warm. left tho town and
lined the rocks along the water front. Tho firing of
the Chileans very accurate, and their shells were
drop ped t,a boal nf Isn;v A.