The Osceola times., 1881-03-19
CHILL AND PERI.
A sketch OF the War Which These Powers
Have so Despei ateIy Conducted.

The war between Chill and Peru,
which has now, it may be hoped, enter
ed upon its closing chapter, began two
years ago in the dispute, between Chilli
on one side and Peru and Bolivia on the
other, concerning the right to tax the
expectation of nitrates from the narrow
belt of territory lying between the
twenty-third and twenty-fourth parallels
of south latitude, at the foot of the
Bolivian Andes. This territory, which,
like all Bolivia, was once part of Peru,
was claimed both by Bolivia and by
Chill. BY mutual agreement the
boundary was fixed on the twenty-iourth
parallel. The territory no . and south
was formed into a Folverein for a space
of p years, Bolivia acting as collector of
customs, and the receipts from taxes be-
ing divisible equally between both par
ties. Chilian subjects resident within
the same boundaries were to be exempt
ed from any increase of taxation, and
Chilian imports We're to enter duty free.
Besides these concessions, Bolivia was TO
pay to Chilli an indemnity Of such
amount as the Emperor of Brazil might
award, in satisfaction Of all further
claims. This territory is a desert, and
but for its minerals would be almost
valueless. Chilian capital and Chilian
enterprise develop these resources.
They built the port of Antoiagasta and
the mining town of Caracoles. From
the vicinity of the latter town large
quantities of silver ores have been and
still are extracted. These ores are
brought down to the port aud there
amalgamated in large reduction works,
erected by a thilian company. Between
the port and the town are extensive
deposits of nitrate of soda. The earth
containing this salt is brought down by
rail To the works of another Chilian
company and there made TO yield its
valuable constituents. including, besides
the soda, salt and iodine These works
produce some 5000 tons Of nitrate per
month. This supply competed with the
Peruvian production and was antagonis-
tie to the monopoly the government of
Peru sought to establish. While nego-
tiations were going on between Chilli and
Bolivia as to the right of taxation claimed
by Bolivia, Chill learned that secret
treaty of alliance had been entered into
between Peru and Bolivia in relation to
this territory. The basis of this treaty,
il appeared, had been the refusal of Chilli
to accept the offers made by the Peruvian
government, desirous of securing the
monopoly of the nitrate of soda, for the
purchase of the Chilan works in Antofa-
gasta. The Chilians claim that it was in
consequence of this refusal that the
Bolivian government made decree inn
posing tax on the export of the product.
Payment of this being refused by the
Chiians, the Bolivian authorities pro-
ceeded to levy the tax by force, and
placed soldiers in the nitrate works.
ON appeal to the Chilan government
the latter promptly dispatched superior
force and ousted the Bolivians, not only
from the port of Antofagasta, but from
the mining town of Camcoles When
the news of the Chilian occupa-
ton reached Lima great excitement en-
sued. The militia were ordered to be
enrolled throughout Peru for active
service. Chill, however, was in posi-
ton 10 anticipate her rival, from having
made her preparations for war, and in
order not to lose advantage she demand
ed, by her minister in Lima, a definite
statement from the Peruvian government
rs to the existence or non-eXistence of
the secret treaty with Bolivia The gov
ernment in Lima refused to answer the
minister, and required that the demand
should be addressed to them through
their plcnipotentiary in Satiago. This
reply was telegraphed to the Gillian
government, and was promptly followed
by the dispatch of the fleet TO blockade
the coasts of Peru. A long period of
maritime maneuvering followed, with
several engagements between the two
fleets, till finally the only strong Peru
vian ironclad, the Huascar, was captured,
after desperate conflict. This put the
whole coast of Peru almost at the mercy
of Chilli In November, 1879, the allied
forces of Peru and Bolivia had met with
crushing defeat at Iquiqne, and the
Peruvians had suffered the loss of a fine
corvette, the Pilcomavo. The Chilian
fleet mistress of the seas, proceeded to
blockade the ports of africa, lilo, and
Callao, and 10 transport the Chilian
army, which had been quartered at
Antoiagasta, into the important depart
ment Of Tarapaca. The port and city
Of Pisgua were captured, the Chilians
dsgracing their victory by their excesses,
and the allied army were driven north
ward. The Chilian march to the north
was slow, through the difficulties Of the
country, and a number of minor engage
ments were fought, with results chiefly
favorable to the invaders But at last
the two armies met, on May "a, 1880,
near Tacna, the outlet of Bolivia to the
rovf of Ar,co whara tho ollioa vrora occo