Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-13
CHILI-PERU AND THE UNITED
STATES.
Something Further About the HTYs-
terfous Company of Capitalists
Who want 10 ''Bsck Up'' Peru.

Who Want 20 s'Back Up, Peru.
Washington Cor. N. Y. Commercial Bulletin.
distinguished gentleman, who has spent
many years In Peru and in Spanish-Ameri-
can countries, happening In Washington,
was interogated by your correspondent this
morning, with the following result:
Question-What is the cause of all this
difficulty between Chill and Peru and the
United Statess
Answer-I don't know of any real cause.
It's all newspaper talk and the utterances
of persons VINO are interested in Peruvian
bonds and railways, and who wish to make
cats paw of the United States. There
was no actual cause for war. The Chilians
1 look upon as being the aggressors.
Q.-Could you outline the history of the
war, as you know itg
A.-There was a treaty signed between
Bolivia and Chill in reference to the work
on the nitTe beds on the 6sh Of August, 1874.
One clause of this treaty declared that no
taxes should be collected of any kind Of
export of nitrate. These nitrate bed were
worked altogether by English capitalists and
Chinese labor. In February, 1873, the Bo-
livian authorities placed small tax on the
nitre. The companies refused to pay this
tax, referring to the treaty. The tax went
on, and amounted to some $4,000, which Is
not, surely, cause for war. They seized
upon the works and had a sale. The Chill
ians then abandoned the place, and, in my
opinion, had been prepared for the war
some time previous, War was never declar-
ed; 1t was made. The Chilians Immediate
lY sent up vessels OF war, transports
with troops, and seized the District of
Attscama, and held it. This district is a
nitre desert, nearly one hundred and fifty
miles wide-an arid desert full Of nitre; so
much that it would be impossible for any
troops to cross over the Andes to attack
them in the rear, and the only way Bolivia
could get there was by sea, which was held
by the Chilian naval forces. The pretext
against Peru was the knowledge or discov-
cry of secr@t treaty Of alliance between
Peru and Bolivia, offensive and defensive.
Therefore, In 1879, war was also made
against Peru. That is about the history of
the commencement OF the war. The Chiiians
were undoubtedly prepared, and It had
been limited at by some of the Chillan
statesmen long time previous. The
Chilians went into 1t with more vim, be-
cause they had two ironclads which were
far superior to ANYTHING on the Pacific
coast-English, French or American.
Cor course, We all understand the re-
suits of the war, and have read of the war
itself, but how is it that the United States
get mixed up in the affairs of both coun--
tries at the present time?
Al think by the misconstruing of IN.
bluColOHo EtNOu " our AtulSLGFS GOWN Blere
In both countries. Fitzpatrick seemed TO be +
in favor Of the Chilian side of the question.
He was married to a relative Of the Arch
bishop Of Santiago-one Of the first families
of Chill.
Q--Do you know what his instructions
were
A;--No; but from the general policy of
the United States and its traditions, the in
structions of both Ministers were not to in
terfere with the affairs Of either govern
ment, but to use their good offices, If
called upon, for the purpose OF harmony
and peace. According to what have seen
published in the papers, Mr.. Hurlbut took
decided stand in the internal policy of
Peru, as shown by his letters to Mr. Garcia
Garcia, and his communication to Admiral
Lynch, the commander Of the Chilian naval
forces in Peruvian waters.
WAS that man Gillian or an Irish
man? His name was Patrick Lynch,
Ale was Chilian of Irish descent.
Q.-What want to get at is the extent
OF the interference Of our Ministers In both
countries, and whether they were authorized
to be as meddlesome as they had been by
their instructions.
Al cannot say.
Q--Do you think trouble will grow out
OF this affair that will involve the United
States?
Al don't think it will. The United
South American republics The people of
these republics have all the pride of their
Castilian ancestors. Where they could be
easily led and advised through the Ministers
OF the United States In a common sense and
proper way, they would not brook anything
that would look like public interference in
tnelr questions one way or the other. ]
think IL any declaration was made by the
United States that they would take part in
their questions only to offer good advice
and to promote peace and harmony, that
they would be satisfied. 1 have been told
that there is large company OF capitalists
here In the United States who would wish
to advance money to Peru, taking the nitrate
and guano beds as security, and, as can be
easily seen, they would like to be backed
up in some way by the United States In
other words, there is probably big lob in
In 1t. A great many names are mentioned
put do not know whether they have bona
fide connection with the scheme hear pro-
posed. 1t would be a big job, as the Perm
Wan Indebtedness to European bondt,olders
is over Sl5O,0OO,OO0, exclusive Of a large
amount of nitre beds in the province of Tar
rapacO, which the Chiliana now hold. and
are shipping daily large amounts of nitre.
Q.-Ihese countries are in a chronic state
OF revolution, are they not
A-Chi1 has had no revolution for many
years, and is one of the best governed re-
publies in South America. The people are
industrious and patriotic Peru has had
many revolutions, and, at this present mo-
ment, PierOla, Dictator, holds all the in
terror. Calderon, acknowledged by the
United States Government, previous to his
abduction and imprisonment by the Chill
ians, held authority in some few places on
the coast, protected by Chilian baYonets.
The gentleman seemed to know more
than he would tell. He talked freely, but
could not draw him out further Still, It
is evident that the State Department con-
slider the situation grave, because It has no
assistant to the dead Minister at Santiago.
and does not know who is now in charge of
that office. But Walker Blaine and Tres
cott will fix that all right If they get there
before the Chilians take the papers out Of
the o1fice and let a smsll-sized cat out Of
the bag. 1t is believed here that while
Blaine gave strong instructions both to
Hurlbut and Fitzpatrick, both those gentle
men transcended them.