New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-23
TIE SOUTH AMERICAN VAR.

The net result of the two years war be-
tween the South American Republics are the
capture and possession by Chill of more than
1000 miles OF coast, including that Of
the territory in dispute, and the occupation Of
the Peruvian Capital by the victorious army
of INVASION. Practically the entire territory
of Peru and Bolivia lyIug west of the Andes
has been overrun. When it is remembered
that Lima is 1000 miles from Valparaiso,
and that Peru alone is larger more populous
and richer in sources Of revenue than Chill,
the completeness of the success from mill
tary point of view is remarkable The general
p,an of the invasion has been carried
out with unrelenting stcadncss, and many
of the details have been executed with
signal brliancy. The storming of the heights
of PI,agua, the great battles ut San Francisco
and before Tanca, the march through the
desert and the capture of africa. were exhibi-
tons of energy, courage aud pr0wess in which
any nation thirstlng for military glory might
we'll cxult. No particulars of the fighting
around Lima have reached u.s. but the victory
has plainly been a crushing one. Only the
result is given in the modest telegram sent
from the CHILEAN headquarters; but it must BE
remembered that the invaders have been
economical of dispatches, and every account
of success tclegraphcd down the coast
and across the Andes to Buenos Ayrcs,
and thence to Europe by way of Rio
,Janciro, has SO far been stated within the
truth.
ANY other nation than Peru, after such
series of disasters and humiations, would
make haste to come to terms with its con-
ancrors, but the very weakness Of Peru may
still postpone any formal treaty. For year
past the country has been practically van
pushed. All its sources of revenue, the nj
trate beds and mills and the guano deposits,
are in the hands of its enemies. 1t
has no money, no credit, no govern
ment, no hope. But then its people
were never accustomed to reverence any or
ganized authority. The overthrow of Pierola
by a foreign foe only anticipates what would
have been his certain downfall in domestic
revolution. The country's credit was gone be-
fore the war began. Its revenues were in the
main q huge corruption fund for greedy Off
Gals, and the general desOlatiOn of the war is
only an exaggeration of the loss and destruction
suffered from repeated insurrection. 1t is
doubtful whether the CHILEAN commander can
find any legitimate government to treat with,
that is, any authority whose acts will be
recognized as binding unless an army of oc-
cupatiOn remains to enforce them. No doubt
it will be the temper Of the people to keep
up show OF resistance, for they have little
left to lose by fighting and little to hope for
if they yield.
Of course, there must be an end to this wild
work, even if it comes through the inter-
,,odiation of foreign Powers There can be
little question that Chill was justified in Selling
the disputed territory and protecting her cti-
zens against the exactOns of Bolivia, and she
has conquered q position to dictate terms to
her enemies. But, after all, it may prove n
dearly bought victory. Even if she is allowed
to retain possession of the guano islands and
the valuable deposits in Southern Peru, with
out making some compromise WITH the British
bondhoders, who will set up their pretence of
q prior claim. she will find war debt and
a deprecated paper currency more serious
trial than any sho has yet encountered.
Habituated to institutional government and
the orderly procedure of courts and legisla-
lures, there is little danger that her citizen
soldIery will be so dazzlcd by the gilt
ter OF military success that they will
revolt against the slow forms of law
when they return home, and set up gov
eminent of revolutions and relationships.
But war always leaves its mark upon national
character, and it will be strange If the stout
little Republic does not show some deteriora-
ton in the homely virtues Of economy, So
briefly and industry which have distinguished
her among South American States. AS for
Peru. If she ESCAPES without the sxaction