The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-01-01
THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR.

mediate cause of the conflict Of the two
States was the violation of q treaty re-
garding the management of certain nitrate
mines by the Bolivians. Bolivia is 6
small State lying between Chill and
Peru. 1t has high, steep coast with
but one seaport, and that not very
good one. In the Southern part of Peru
and all through Bolivia, and the northern
portion of Chill, are rich nitre mines.
Nitre, from which is obtained saltpeter,
is the great export and source of wealth
of the country. The Bolivihns were toe
poor, lazy, and inefficient to work theil
own mines, and rented them to an enter.
prising Gillian company. 1t was stip-
ulated by the two governments that the
ChIlians should work the mines and
improve the shipping facilities by fixing
the harbor and removing many of its
distractions. In consideration of this
Bolivia exempted the company from all
taxation. For some time this plan worked
without trouble, until Bolivia wishing to
raise some funds, taxed the mining com
panies. And this violation of their
agreement by the Boliyians, so say the
Chilians, brought on the war that is now
waging. On the other hand, the Bolivi-
ans claimed that the harbor was Lot
being improved sufficiently, and more
over the Chilians we're assuming an
unjustifable authority, and trying to
control the country. Both parties, in my
opinion, are to blame. Regarding the
imposition Of the tax, there can be no
doubt; regarding the other point, writers
differ Hence the war. 1t will be Won
dered what Peru has to do with this
affair, and very reasonable, too, for no.
body seems to comprehend the eagerness
with which she interfered.
THE FORTUNES OF WAR.
Till recently the Peruvians, with the
Hauscan, have been victorious. They
sunk a wooden frigate, whipped a sloop-
of-war, aud captured many prizes. Dur
ing this time the two CHILEAN iron clads
were being thoroughly repaired. As soon
as they were ready they attacked the
Huascar off Mejillones, and most thor
oughly whipped her. But the full
particulars of this fearful engagement
have already been widely published, and
people have shuddered as they read of
the brave captain of the Huascar-how
he was shot away, blown right through
the turret, not trace of him left behind
save few scattered teeth. I will not
picture to you again the ladders and
passages of the Huascar, so piled and
choked with bloody corpses that men
could not get into the ship to stop the
engines. BY the capture of the Huascar
Peru lost her mainstay 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. It was about the 1st of October
the Huascar was lost, and Immediately
everybody in Peru went into mourning.
TheStwo monitors of Peru are kept for
harbor defense-one at Callao, which
everybody knows the Chilians do not
intend to attack; the other at africa, also
a place which the Chilians will not at
tack. All the transports and the fast
wooden sloop-of Union remain at
CAllao, all ready for action. About the
lss of this month the Gillian fleet put
into place III Peru call Pisagua, where
there was small Peruvian force. This
feet landed from twelve to sixteen
thousand men under cover of their guns,
who charged up steep, sandy mountain
and gained the place. By this bold stroke
Chill has gained a strong foothOld on
Peruvian soil. The reason for the
Cnilians' delay il making this landing
was the necessity of thoroughly drilling
and disciplining their men. Fol-, the last
two or three months this force has been
drilled regularly by competent officers,
and they will, in day or two. show the
benefit Of training.
CHILIANS PREPARED.
To go on with the war the Chilians are
splendidly equipped, their artillery is of
the newest and best, likewise their arms
and ammunition. They have also several
Calling guns. After gaining the heights
of Pisagua the army moved eastward and
then southwark, intending to march to
this place, Iquique. 10 oppose the army
are two armies-one of 10000 men, NOV
ing from IQuique toward them, and an
other of 5000 Boliyians marching from
the northward The Chilians are thus to
be surrounded. But they will doubtless
come out alright, as the opposing armies
are badly disciplined and equipped.
However, this is to be the decisive bat
tie. If the Chi!lians win, the war is
virtually over. The possession Of this
Chill wants. Why the Peruvians will
fight it out is understood when we recol-
lect that the whole source of the wealth
of their country and their country itself
are at stake. If, in the approaching
battle the Peruvians are defeated. they
Will flee to this place. Then the fleet of
Chill, now forty miles away, will come
in and lombard the place.
l have been on shore from our ship
aud walked through the deserted streets
OF Iquique. The few people remaining
III the town stay on shore in the daytime
but spend their nights on board the
merchantmen III The harbor. On every
side evidences of poverty and degrade
ton are seen, The people have the long
est and most sorrowfui faces Imaginable.
They fear every hour to hear news of the
defeat of their army and the entrance of
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