Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-13
A GIGANTIC SCHEME.

| The published despatches of the govern l ment bearing upon the situation in South
 America are interesting reading. The gov ernment expresses Friendly anxiety" es- pecially for Peru, and the American minis ters are instructed accordingly. All Euro pean interference Tn the cause now pending between the three South American republics
 is also distinctly opposed. One of the despatches says on this point: s'The govern l ment of the United States seeks only to per- l form the office of friend to all the parties | in this unhappy conflict between South American republics and it will regret to be | compelled to consider how far that feeling might be affected, and more active interpo- I sition forced upon it by any attempted com plication of this question with European pol itics." This is decidedly bold for nation without a navy.
 In connection with these despatches some points contained in pamphlet which has been privately circulated in Washington in the interest of those American capitalists who claim to control an immense interest in connection with the guano and nitrate depos- it's in Peru and Bolivia are significant. It is set forth that Chili has acted solely as an ag- gressor, and for the purpose of controlling the saltpetre and other mines in Bolivian territory, and that, in spite of the claims of Chii that she has conquered Peru, these claims are without foundation, except as to towns on the coast; and that in view of the high-handed course Of Chili the time has ar rived when a settlement ought to be made, and that tba onIu r,ovvar carabIa of off aid in this matter is the government of the United States, which Bolivia and Peru are declared to have selected as mediator. The argument of the company sets forth that there is only one allegation that Chih could offer for retaining possession of the Bolivian
 and Peruvian coast, and that is the right to
 her war indemnity; and this the company
 now presenting it's claims proposes to pro-
 vide for out of the revenues from the guano
 and nitrate deposits It is further urged
 that the United States is not asked to become
 the champion of either belligerent, but only
 to protect American capital, which should be
 protected in working the saltpetre mines and
 guano deposits of Bolivia and Peru, and that
 in assuming such protectorate every pre-
 text for European intervention would disap
 pear. It is urged that the company of
 American capitalists under the protection of
 the United States would take upon itself the
 management and working of all the guano and
 saltpetre deposits of Peru and Bolivia, would
 make New York or any other commercial
 city of the United States the financial centre
 of two republics, and that the United States,
 and not England or France, New York and
 Boston. and not London or Paris, would then
 be points at which the exchanges would be
 made of the millions produced annually in
 guano and saltpetre. In Financial state-
 ment' it is claimed that the total yearly in-
 come from the guano and saltpetre deposits, if worked by such company, would be in round numbers 4,50O,o0o pounds sterling It is proposed to settle with Chili upon the basis of the war indemnity or 6,0OO, GOO pounds sterling.
 This is a gigantic scheme, and if it could be carried out would well repay those who invented it. But the government of the United States is not yet ready to go into the guano and saltpetre business.