The Russellville Democrat., 1881-03-03
CHILL AND PERU.
A Sketch of the War Which These Power Have so Despel ately Conducted.
 Now York World.


 New York World.
 The war between Chili and Peru, which has now, it may be hoped enter ed upon its closing chapter, began two wears ago in the dispute, between Chili on one side and Peru and Bolivia on the other. concerning the right to tax the exportation 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 Boliyiax Andes. This territory, which, like all Bolivia, was once part of Peru, was claimed both by Bolivia and by Chili. By mutual agreement the boundary was fixed on the twenty-fourth parallel. The territory north and south was formed into sollverein for space of 25 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 were to enter duty free. Besides these concessions, Bolivia was to pay to Chili an indemnity of such amount as the Emperor of Brazil might award, in satisfaction of all further claims. This territory is q desert, and hut for it's minerals would be almost yalueless. Gillian capital and Gillian enterprise develop these resources. They built the port of Antofagasta 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 and there amalgamated in large reduction works erected by q Chilian 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- tic to the monopoly the government of Peru sought to establish. While nego- tiations were going on between Chili and Bolivia as to the right of taxation claimed by Bolivia, Chili learned that a secret treaty of alliance had been entered into between Peru and Bolivia in relation to this territory. The basis of this treaty, | it appeared, had been the refusal of Chili to accept the offers made by the Peruvian government, desirous of securing the monopoly of the nitrate of soda, for the purchase of the Chilian works in Antofa- gasta. The Chilians claim that it was in consequence of this refusal that the l Bolivian government made decree i'm posing tax on the export of the product. Payment of this being refused by the Chilians, the Bolivian authorities pro- | ceeded to levy the tax by force, and | placed soldiers in the nitrate works. | On appeal to the Chilian government the latter promptly dispatched superior l force and busted the Bolivians, not only ! from the port of Antoiagasta, but from | the mining town of Caracoles When | the news of the Chilian occupa- 1 ton reached Lima great excitement en- sued. The militia were ordered to be enrolled throughout Peru for active service. Chilli, however, was in a posi- | ton to 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, definite | statement from the Peruvian government | as to the existence or non-eXistence of | the secret treaty with Bolivia. The gov ernmcnt in Lima refused to answer the l minister and required that the demand | should be addressed to them through | their plenipotcntiary in Satiago This reply was telegraphed to the Chilian | government, and was promptly followed | by the dispatch of the fleet to blockade the coasts of Peru. A long period of maritime maneuvcring followed, with several engagements between the two fleets, till finally the only strong Peru vian ironclad, the Huascar, was captured. after a desperate conflict This put the whole coast of Peru almost at the mercy of Chili. In November, 1879, the allied forces of Peru and Bolivia had met with crushing defeat at Iquique, and the Peruyans 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 to transport the Chilian army, which had been quartered at Antofagasta, into the important depart ment of Tarapaca. The port and city of Pisgua were captured, the Chilians disgracing their victory by their excesses, and the allied army were driven north ward The Chilian miehch 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 27, 1880, near Iacna, the outlet of Bolivia to the port of Arca, where the allies were once more defeated and the way opened to q 4 d. "A