New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-28
THE pERUyIAY COMPLICtTTON

There is said to be n strong flavor of job
berry connected with the plans for peace oe-
tween Chill and Peru. On one hand il is al
legged that if Chill retains control of the
nitrate and guano beds, which arc the
most valuable property her PROSTATE adj
versary possesses, they will be turned
over to an English company for the re-
mainder OF the century in consideration
OF large money payment. On the
other hand it is asserted that if the influence of
the United States is successfully exorted to save
TO Peru her nitrate and guano, an American
company is 10 take possession of the beds
keep the poverty stricken Peruvian Govern
mcnt alive by loans, and practically administer
upon all it's revenues. Perhaps both stories
are Inventions. The guano and nitrate
deposits are, il is true, a great prize.
and il would not be strange if rival
organizations Of capitalists had been formed
to take advantage of some turn in the peace
negotiations to get hold of them. Chill, how
over, is now in possession Of them, and legally
so by all the recognized rules of war. If she
chooses TO annex the territory 10 reimburse
her for her war expenses, she has perfect
right 10 DO 40, and no outside Power can
complain. But there is no reason why she
should turn over valuable deposits to Peruvian
bondholders or English capitalists. and the
statements that she purposes doing so are cy-
identity based on idle gossip.
The report that the United States Govern
mcnt is supporting any American company
may also be dismissed with contempt. Oar
diplomatic action in Peru has been honorable
and straightforward, save where it was re-
Gently muddlcd by the inCOnsidcrate zeal OF
Minister llurlbut TO interfere in the peace me-
gotiatiOns. The instructions of the State De-
partmcnt to General lIurlbut were to maintain
an attitude of friendly neutrality and to proilcr
no mediation, but to express on behalf or his
Government the hope that the terms OF peace
would not be such IA 20 destroy the indcpcn-
dence of Peru. This position involves no as
sumption of right to dictate the terms and
contcmplatcs no intermcddling with the 1T
fairs Of other nations. II merely expresses
orr kindly interest in the pcrpetuation Of the
existence of Republic with which we have
always been friends-such an interest as it is
our right and duty to express under the cir
cumstanccs.
In the meantime the situation in Peru is not
promising for an early adjustment of the diff
liculty. There is no Government with
which the Chiians are willing to treat.
They recognized Garcia Calderon for
while, but have lately dcposed him and
put him under arrest. The Dictator
Pierola is hiding in the mountains with few
followers, and keeping up a fleeting shadow of
"A Government. The Chilians regard him as no
better than a guerilla. Nothing can be done
in the direction of peace until some authority
is set up which the Chlians can respect, and
how this is to be done unless they set it up
themselves it is hard to see. If they take this
course, they might as well treat with their
own camp followers. Perhaps arbitration
will prove the only way out of the complica-
tion