The New York herald., 1879-03-19
THE CHILI-BoLIvIAN WAR.
ABOUT THE PRoyocATIoN WHICH BOLIVIA HAS
GIVEN.

CAUSES OF THE CoNFLICT--cHILIAN OPINION
ABOUT THE PRoyocATIoN WHICH BOLIVIA HAS
GIVEN.
PANAMA. March 10. 1879.
The ChGiaa T@es Of February Is gives the follow
ing account of the beginning of the difficulty be-
tween Chill and Bolivia
Although at the present time We are most proba
bly, de facto at war with Bolivia the government has
maintained reserve the subject rather more
than prudential and. for oil We know officially to the
contrary. the two countries might be on the best of
that telegram was received from sefor
Videae. our Minister at La Paz reporting
thatSthe Bolivian government had suspended the
law imposing export tax nitrate. in Difference
to Chili's urgent demands. but had rescinded the
contract celebrated with the Antofasasta Company
That is, it had renounced claim for 100000 and
confscated property worth s4OOo.OO0. This shame
less act of bad ath and spoation naturally created
public opinion decidedly in favor of main
tanning Chili's rights by force Of arms, If
refuse the charge even If so inclined. On wednes-
day. tho 12tthe anniversary of tho battle of Chaca
gathering held in the Intendencia square, TO
manifest the public desire for energetic measures
aud we subsequently ascertain that on the evening
sent to the Intendene of Santiago signed by the
Minister OF the INTERIOR
Sf Bos
without degning any explanation whatever.
THE TROOPS EN- ROUTE.
The government of Chill has recalled its Minister
and the national troops are already en- route to &C.
sidered advisable. Since then there has been an in
ccssant movement in naval and military circles,
Judging from ~tb the ana
determination. 1t is not believed that the conflict
will be very great. as Bolivia is unable to
offer any serious resistance either by land
or sea: and geographically. as well as in popula-
tion, that coast il more Chilian than Bolivian.
Some apprehension is entertained in certain quarters
that Peru will interfere; but may well be doubted
whether that country has not as much. as
It can do at present to keep its 90. own s,ine house
taken by Peru has been to offer its ser
vices as mediator. which offer was civiAys but
or two back regarding the presence of Peru
Wan iron-clads in Antofagasta have turned out
duct has been marked on this occasion with such
q cynical disregard of common honesty that. COM
bined with her previous violation OF the treaties
celebrated tho Chilian government may weu be
justified in refusing to enter into any future arrange
lnent regarding the territory in dispute and
tegrai part the national territory after it shall
have been assumed ANY loss that may besall Bolivia
by such an act will be thorouahly msrited Us PEN
atty for her trickery and dishonesty.
STARVATION BOLIVIA.
corresp ondent Of the Calao South pdcifc Times,
writing from Oruro, Bolivia February 10. says that
the state of the country is most distressing Stsrvs
ton is staring everyone in the face Everywhere you
go You stumble dead bodies, men. women and
children On tho coast YOU appear to think that
Cochabamba is the only place where scarcity exists.
which is quite mistake. Hercabopts it is quite as
bad The most part OF tho Indians
have been found dead while searching tor this plant
To increase the famine. most crops IL this neigAb0r
hood have been destroyed by frost and the drought
particularly the potato crops. and afraid this
year will be than the last. In the valleys in
parts. crops are in fair state but as not one quar-.
ter the amount has been planted Of former years. all
seeds must be scarce. .. ..t ~