New-York tribune., 1879-12-07


city we have teegraphic communica-
ton and certainly the Peruvians would not
suppress the announcement Of a victory, even
if we suppose that Chill had some interest in
delaying the news of a defeat. The only Boz
livian force which could possibly have been
in that region is one said to be commanded
by General Campero, who led it across the
Andes from Poiosi. This warrior has been heard
from by telegraph once befofe-as long ago as
the last OF September, when it was announced
that he had defeated detachment OF the
Chilan army which was bOlding this terri
tory, after having killed 1,5O0 OF them.
This report was Iever confirmed. nor has 1t
been definitely known when or how Campero
has been operating since that date. III this
last dispatch has any foundation, he Is now
between the two main bodies OF the Cmlian
army, with the Andes on one side and the
Pacific Ocean onahe other
Tarapaca, where the reported Chilian suc-
cess was gained, is a town on the ialroad
running from Iquique into the interior, and
is more than 100 miles north of the River
Loa. The allied force numbered probably
10000, aud is the same which the in
vadiDg army has met once before.
which is under the immediate COM
mand OF President Prado is sill 100 miles
further north and the country between the
two divisions is practically desert and i'm
passable The defeated force has been at
once guarding the rich nitrate works about
lquique, and threatening, although at some
distance. the Cbilian Army of 10000 which
occupies the disputed territory. If The defeat Is
as complete az Is reported, the Ch;lians at
Antafogasia will have nothing to fear from
the north. and will he ffee 10 take transports
and land at africa, which Gle Chiian feet is
now said to be blockadmg, and begin cam
paign against Prado's army. Or, since Lima
is practically dcienceless, and Prado's army Is
two months march away the same force might
land further North and march directly upon
the Peruvian capital, as General Bnlnez did in
1888. Unfortunately for Peru, her. navy has
been almost totally annihia;cd 10y success
sion of disasters. One wooden map-oi-war
the Union, and the two unserviccable mcnl-
tors purchased from the United States. are the
only vessels which she now possesses, and
therefore her whole coast lies at the mercy OF
the Chilian fleets.
II is too much TO hope that this unfortunate
war VII come to an end before some c.l;sh-
ing victory is won, although succession OF
considerable disasters to the allies would be
likely to preclpitate n revolution IN Lima
But, however long delayed the ulti-
mate success of Chill. as TIE TRIBUNE
has before co1tcnded seems almost GER
tain. although she is smaller in territory
ana weaker IN numbers than her adversaries
he 81 etal,lp d. H.
mcnt, and a loyal and law-rcvcrercing popula-
ation. Her people, too, are more homogone-
ous. Her native stock is hardy, brave and self
reliant, and her entire population is enterprisng,
industrious and patient. All this, together
with her complete control of the sea, must
tell in the long ran. 1t should be remembered
also that the aboriginal Indians Of Pcru are
OF much softer fibre tnan the Araucanlans.
Besides .his, African slavery existed there
until quite recently, and her pOpula-
ton contains large admixture Of
negro blood. She is only Republican
in namc and has been virtually ruled
by a series of dictators with lit,le or no re-
gard to the forms of constitutional Law, and
her government, such rs it is, enjoys 10
respect at home and commands no credit
abroad Her secret alliance with Bolivia, formed
so long ago rs 1876. while her relations with
Chill were most amicable. was a conspicuous
exhibition of her lack OF National honor. and
it undoubtedly stimulated Bolivia to violate
her agreement with Chilli. and thus bring On
the war.
Most certainly a Nation which has earned
is title TO fellowship with the most enlgh,-
encd peoples by the orderly and honorable
conduct of its own afflirs, by paying its debts
and keeping its obligations, and by proving
that it has Il conscience, is the one which en-
lists the sympathcs of all who hope for tMc
final triumph of justice and order ard Law.
4 CONVICT on PEN1L REFORM