The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-03-30
THE cHILr-PERUvIAN QUESTION.
An Interview with Blaine on the Sub
ject.

An InterView With Blaine on the SUBJ
ject.
WASHINGTON, March 24-The Post
to-day publishes an interview with
Blame, which SAYS the general result
shown in the latest phase of the Chilli
Peruvian question is precisely what he
predicted, when TrescotI's instructions
were revoked. The action of the Chi
ian authorities shows that Peru is to be
despoiled and destroyed and the profits
divided with English bOndholders and
spectators. The Gillian treasury de-
partment asks bids for 100000 tons of
guano from Peruvian beds, the cargo TO
be paid tor in English money at ninety
days; one-half goes TO English bond
holders, and Chill binds herself TO de-
post so per cent. OF the proceeds of the
guano in the bank of England.
Blaine further says Prescott was ex-
pressly forbidden by Frelinghuysen to
say word about this thing. Naturally
enough when Chill found that the
United States was sure not to interfere
she took all she wanted.
This includes the very richest dis
tricts of Peru, including ali her nitrates
and all her guanos, just as she designed
at the outset, only. she was not as sure
HOW IudG WOulu
permit it. When Prescott was instruct
ed to make no authoritative utterance,
but merely TO be seen and not heard
and act the part of meek humility, Chilli
naturally concluded that il could use the
power of this great government as she
chose, and thus sought 10 make Tres
colt aid her designs against Peru. Chilli
advertises guanO before the treaty is
concluded on the grounds of absolute
conquest.
Blaine says this result could be easily
prevented by the United States without
war. The idea of war with Chill is
ridiculous. Our moral power could
have saved the autonomy of Pera, if not
preserved all her territory. In any
event, the active nse of our influence
could have done no harm. 1t would
have been honorable to make an effort,
even if it failed.
AS the result stands we have acquired
the hatred of the Peruvians to the latest
generation and the contempt of the Chill
ians. We also cause the self satisfied
chuckle of English spectators. into
whose hands the power of the United
States has e1iectually been placed.
Great Britain, with all her proves,
could not have advanced the CONNER
cial interests of her merchants in South
America so powerfully, and Destroyed
the interests OF American merchants
there so completely, as has been done
10y the instructions with which Prescott
was bound and gagged.
The first installment to the British in
terest is the freight money on mines of
guanO and half the profits of its sale in
Europe, which of itself is larger sum
than the entire war expenditure of
Chill.
In conclusion Blaine says il would
have been worth while TO have found out
whether if the United States wished TO
save an American republic, Great Brit
ain would have interviewed to destroy it.
my own judgment is that the foreign
policy of Great Britain would never
take that direction. 1t certainly will
not as long as British statesmen see that
the United States can do by omission
more for British interests than Great
Britain can do by commission.
THE moral power of the United States
in South America could simply have
been irrepressible for American inter
ests. 1t was the opportunity of the
country and was blindly sacrificed. The
commercial interests of this country in
South America will not in fifty years re-
cover what has been lost and what was
in its power to acquire. Our interests
are not only totally destroyed in Chilli
and Peru, but our prestige is impaired
in all South America, indeed in all
Spanish America, both continental and
peninsular. The present generation will
not witness the recovery of that which
has been lost within the last ninety
days"