The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-24
THE WAR IN SCUM AMERICA.
The Effort OF Peru 90 Monopolizo the Pro-
duetion OF Nitrate OF Soda

VALPARAISO, May, 1871 will try to
tell you the principal causes OF the present diff
hculties IN Chlli. Bolivia, and Peru. Bolivia
broke her solemn treaty with Chill because she
found il 70 her interest to do 80. Bolivia has
also the stimulus OF being bounded on by Peru.
because Peru has. until very lately had the
monopoly Of the production Of nitrate OF soda.
very extensively used in Europe for manure
and many chemical purposes. The importance
OF this product and It's shipment TO Europe have
grown enormously during the last fifteen or
twenty. years, ! went 10 Iquique In 1912, still
port, to take tho weight OF cargo which was
there. shipped Then. three or four vessels per
month We're loaded, but during the past two
years over 100 vessels per month have loaded at
Iquique and two small adjacent ports. This
monopoly Of Peru has given. and s giving. her
ally.
About four or Ave years ago the native salt
from which nitrate is made was found also on
the coast Of Bolivia. and almost exclusively
through CHILEAN capital and enterprise the
trade in II mas become great competitor and
consequent thorn in the side Of Peru. In 1874
Cali and Bolivia made treaty by which the
latter, for some cons !drrations OF coded rights
10 disputed territory. agreed not to impose any
export dues on nitrate or enact any laws that
might hamper or cause any expense 10 the
Gillian capital employed on her coast over and
above such restrictions rs at that time existed.
Since then. millions Of Chill capital have been
invested IN mining and the manufacture Of nj
trate Oh this formerly unprOductive coast caus-
ing three .mportan; towns to be built. nine
tentls ul the Inhabitants of which are ChlliaLs.
In violation of the treaty and all Justice the
an export duty OF ten cents per 100 pounds on
all nitrate shipped at their ports. This was
dom parity 10 obtain an income for themselves
hut CHI, fly through the influence OF Peru.
which Government stipulated by II private
treaty with Bolivia % sustain her against all
claims by Chill The latter country pro-
tested. and tried by every means to make Boz
Iva respect her treaty obligations but finding
diplomacy useless. chill srnt her squadron
composed OF two powerful irOnclads and
four small coryettes, and took possession
OF The whole oi the Bolivian coast. OF
course this eXasueratcd 10th Bolivia and
Peru and is the principal cause OF the war.
The war brings rum 10 all three Of these very
poor Countries. Chli. at great sacrifices. has
always maintained her credit in Europe by
punctually paying the interest and sinking
fund on her debt But neither Peru nor Bolivia
has pretended 10 do so for some years. Only a
few months egO committee OF tho Peruvian
bondAolders IN England solicited the Ministry
10 Interfere. in order TO force Peru 10 pay her
debts. making some ugly assertions rs to the
honesty Of the Peruvian Government Nat
urily, Peru is tar more wealthy tnan Chill; but
the latter country has greater energy industry
ana economy in nor government. and. above
nj, more common honesty The war must be
Ectlcd ia great measure by the navies OF
Peru and Chill. IN such war Bolivia cannot
Dc counted az Of any Importance. having no
SHIPS aud now no ports, Chill and Peru arc
nnout rquul IN inc number OF vessels, but
know thar the Chllinu naval officers are far
superior 10 those OF Peru