The New York herald., 1879-03-26
CHILL AND BOLIVIA.


CHILL AND BOLIVIA.
THE BOUNDARY DIFFICULTY BETWEEN THE TWO
GovERNaIENTs--rHE aUANo AND NITRATE
suNEs-THE OCCUPATION OF ANToFoGAsTA BY
THE cHILrANs--THE BOLIVIAN AND GILLIAN
ARMIES.
vALAnAIso. Chilli. Feb. 2l. 1879.
Affairs between this country and Bolivia are begin
ming to threatening aspect. 1t is doubtful
il anybody clearly understands the merits Of the
question that is the occasion of the present trouble
For long time there has been disagreement between
the two republics concerning the boundary line.
Various attempts have been made to effect settlement
of the troublesome question. but all arrangements
have been of short validity. and the other of
the has discarded the provisions Of the
treaties that have from time to time been effected
As early 1857 there misunderstanding
about the boundary line. Chill claimed north to the
twenty third parallel and Bolivia south to the
twentysixth. Chilli attempted to take possession by
force. and captured American vessel. the Sports
man. that was loading guano at Noguayan. and took
her to Caldera. The American Consul interposed,
aud no further force used, but movements were
set OH foot to effect compromise by arbitration.
Nothing definite was reached until 1885, when
treaty was signed giving Chill to IS deg
and Bolivia to 70 deg, with agree
mcnt for tho joint control OF the two de-
grces between. with an equal share Of
the proceeds Of the nitrate and guano sales.
But this arrangement did not sways work har-
napniously. Differences arose and threatened to
cause trouble. Again negotiations looking toward
the permanent settlement of the boundary were be-
gun, and in 1874 treaty signed fixing the
boundary at "a deg. But certain other pro-
visions included in the treaty. Chill had al
raadv nj ,arfe IN fha NH frata at
Antofogasta. Most Of it's capital from Santiago
residents, and the agreement that no export
duty should be laid nitrate for twenty-five years.
Bolivia agreed to out the provisions of this
charter. Chill also retained an interest in some Of
the guano deposits south of "a deg.
THE OCCUPATION OF ANToFoGAsrA
Peru which has also large nitrate deposits has for
several years been charging export duty and has
been endeavoring to persuade Bolivia to do the
same that she might have equal chance in foreign
markets. A few months ago tho Bolivian govern
ent contrary to her treaty eveda tax Of ten cents
per quinta all nitrate exported from Antofogasta
Mejinones. Cobija and Tocoplla. This tax. which
amounted to $9o.OOo the Antofogasta establish
nent refused to pay and when the customs officer
! came to arrest him he took refuge Chilian
vessel that CHANGED to be in the bay. The Chilian
government Immediately took notice of this action on
the part OF the sister Republic, aud pronoun the
treaty no longer valid, 1t had been broken by
| Bolivia. Two iron-clads. the OHiggns and the
Cochrane. imnediately despatched to Antofo-
gasta to be In readiness for any emergency. Small
companies of soldiers they could be put in order
sent by steamer and placed board these ves
sells. On the 11th inst. orders werc sent from San
| tiago to tho Commodore on board the Cochrane to
| occupy Antofogasta and put it under martial law.
| On Thursday, the 18th, the Commodore landed and
took possession Of the town without meeting with
| any resistance whatever city government was
S SSrganzea s
cuar issuede throughout the whole country that
postage would be the Same as to other ports Of Chilli
| PERU GOING TO AID BOLIVIA.
| The situation is unchanged. Chill holds the Boli
Wan ports. and will not give them up without
fight. Three Peruvian iron-clads--the Huascar.
Manca Capac and Intependencia- been ordered
to proceed to Iquique. one Of the most southerly
ports Of Peru, Immediately. Three thousand sol
diers were under orders to proceed there also
as transportation could be obtained. A
the satire works near Iquique and on the railroad
but not sufficiently numerous to render the pres
ence Of SO large force necessary to maintain or
will be concentrated at that point. with view
Of using it base for active operations against
the government Of Chill had refused to discuss the
question with the Peruvian Envoy and that the de-
Termination has been made to finally settle all boun
dairy and other disputes with Bolivia in the only
way which that country appears to understand.
Of So
will have both Bolivia and Peru to fight appears to
be foregone conclusion; Peru has old huinilia.
Chilis old enemy. Sehor Frias prcciptate the Ar
gentine Republic into the contest. things would go
| hard with the model Republic OF the South.
| LANDING AT ANTorAGAsrA
The Pairia says: THE following letter is dated
Antofagasa, February IS. At A. NJ. on the 14th
we arrived here without any incident worth noting.
An adjutant of Colonel Sotomayor was sent ashore
at an early hour to communicate to the prefect the
resolution of our government to take possesson of
the city and to advise him to make resistance On
that officers return preparations for decentralization
| were made This operation was effected, not as an
attacking force but just as We disembark troops in
our own ports. Taking possession Of town under
| which reason display of artillery. &C., made.
which. indeed. would have been absurd. Precsu-
boats went packed with men. each possessed sixty
| cartridges. and the officers were prudcntly
with The nen rS arm that m arrived M noomc
The prefect and otner principal authorities took
refuge in the Peruvian consulate and the garrison.
consisting OF sixty or seventy men, shut themselves
up in the Cuarel not for defence against troops,
but in fear OF the populace.
| IN QUIET POSSESSION.
'In spite of all precautions and Of tho efforts Of
the officers to inspire the people with moderation II
from tearing down and destroying the Bolivian
shield al the Prefecture. which was deserted at the
Sa & no es % th raisn II ns day
slant the Gillian flag was hoisted everywhere, and
tho trans leaving for salina profusey decorated
The troops discmbarkcd numbered 800. Seventy
wore sent to Coracocs to take possession. and tho
rest were formed in patrols, TO maintain order and
tunately nothing occurred to regret alarm.
The oHiggins sails to-day to take possession Of
Me)lllones Two Sunan ncWspapers nave been cstu
shcd at AntofgastS One IL called lie Vosdc Cie the
other the 14tl OF February. Twelve military engin-
GERS have been sent by the Chilian government to
Caracoles for the purpose of studying the most con.
venient places to be fortified. In the district OF
Toco there slight skirinish between some. Bo-
livisn and Gillian laborers. 1t finally terminated in
| q defeat of the Chilcns."
| THE TERHiroEY DISPUTE.
The territory now In dispute IL seventy miles wide
and reaching from the to the Andes. 1t is rich
in deposits Of guano. ssltpeter and copper. Some
silver s also found. The with which Antola-
gasta taken due the fact that the greater
part OF the inhabitapts there Chilians and the
remote position Of the interior towns, so that, no
force could be thrown In to defend the city.
Tho inhabitants Of the disputed territory,
between - deg. and ~ deg. numbers s,507, 6,5M
OF them being Chilians and only l,226 Boivians.
srhere arc l2l Peruvians, 22G Argentines. and
different nationalities. Bolivia has, according
To the most trusfWnrfhy stntiscS 2lQ0l inhnhi.