New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-26
THE NAP or SOUTH AMERICA.

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TIE MAP or SOUTH AMERICA.
| Recent changes in the territorial division of
South America are of interest to the people of
| the United States because they affect the two
leading Republics of that COntinent-coun-
tries lying within the temperate zone, inhabited
| by vigorous, enterprising and homogeneous
races. Chilli and the Argentine Republic
have both proved that they have the stuff in
them TO insure a prosperous commercial ana
political future and to play leading parts in
the worlds history. II is of special interest to Us
also to know that the long-pending and bitter
boundary question between these Nations has
been finally settled by the good Offices Of
United States Ministers at Santiago and BuenOs
AyreS This shows how gladly. and gratefully
the services of this Government are accepted
10y the Southern Republics when counsel is
offered at the proper time and in the proper
| temper by ENJOYS who obediently follow IN
Structions from Washington instead Of adven-
turing into the realms of forbidden and SELL
satiOnal diplomacy on their own hook.
By the treaty referred to the Argentines Sc
cure the entire region OF Patagonia east of the
Andes and nearly onc-half of the Island Of
Terra Del FuegO, a territory larger than the
whole Of France. Chill possesses the Straits
of Magellan, with the islands lying north and
south as far as Cape Horn, together with the
territory on the continent south of the fifty
second parallel of latitude. As a result the
Argentiues are already surveying Patagonia and
preparing lands for colonization. This movement
is important, as will be understood when we
recall the fact that the Argentine Republic is
receiving by far the greater portion of the
emigration from Europe to South America, an
emigration already large and rapidly increas
ing The Straits of Magellan have become an
important waterway now that no steamer
doubles the Horn. BY adopting this shorter
route and escaping the head winds at the Cape,
the time to Australia and the Pacific Coast
is shortened from six 10 ten days Although
Chill now owns both shores Of the channel, the
treaty forbids the building of a fortress or
mounting Of a gun along its course, which Is to
be maintained forever as neutral highway
for the commerce of the world. The islands
on either side of it, as well as the CHILEAN
mainland are now being explored and surveyed
by the Government. Copper and coal abound.
Traces OF gold have been discovered. Dense
forests yield excellent timber, and rich grasses
promise an unfailing supply for cattle.
Now that the ownership OF this
Southern wilderness Is settled and the
title undisputed, the world can hope that it
will speedily be conquered to civilization by
CHILEAN enterprise.
Further up the Pacific Coast are other bound
airy changes, actual or impending. We hear
of a treaty of peace between Chill and Bolivia,
under which the latter surrenders the sea
tbo I tbo
twenty-fourth degree Of latitude, piece of
territory about 175 miles long. This Land had
always been claimed by Chill, but was ceded
to Bolivia On certain conditions and privileges
granted to Gillian citizens, and it was a
violation of those conditions which brought on
the war; 1t was always peopled by Chlians,
its railroads and manufactures built and its
trade developed exclusively by Gillian capital.
Before the war there were not 800 BOivians
in the whole region. OF course there are none
there now, and census taken in December
last gives it a population of $3.50, all Chilli
ans. Although it is always spoken Of as Be-
livia's outlet to the sea, it does not belong
naturally TO that country, and very little Boz
livian commerce ever found its way to the
ocean through the circlitOus and difficult
desert route The IA tural outlet from La Paz,
the chief city of that country, was directly
through Peru to africa, and 10 dOubt when
the final treaty is made the right Of way to
this port Will be guaranteed to Bolivia. This
much being settled there remains north of the
River LOa-the new CHILEAN boundary line
the Tarapaca district, for which Chill is
making a vigorous claim a war indemnity
This region, with another 10 miles of coast,
constitutes altogether about four per cent of the
entire territory of Peru. 1t is an utter desert
so far as the absence of any vegeta-
ton can make one, and valuable because
it is a desert, for nitrate beds as well as rich
guanO deposits can only exist where it never
rains. 1t contained before the war about
900 inhabitants twO-thirds of whom were
Chilians, for the tropical lethargy of Peru
leaves the prizes of commerce on that coast to
be won by her alert and industrious rival
Besides this Tarapaca has always been abso-
lutely dependent upon Chill for its food
supply
Should Chill gain possession of the entire
coast claimed, from CamarOnes to Cape Horn,
she would still be much smaller in territory
and population than either of the two coun-
tries which formed an alliance against her.
Her signal victory over both is the triumph of