The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1883-07-19
A Calamit0us War ard Humiliating
Peace.

Although the terms of the treaty of
peace between Chill and Peru are of -
most crushing character to the latter
country, anything must be considered
deliycrancc from the reign of terror
which has prevailed there since PERU
was placed completely at the mercy of
its conqueror in 1881. No unprovolled
war of national aggrandizement has
been as savage. as uprelenting, as sue.
cessful as this descent of Chill upon
Peru. The discovery of large beds Of
nitrate of soda and of borax, and al
most inexhausdble deposits Of guano in
Che Province of Tarapaca, excited the
cupidity of the CHILEAN Government
With desire to acquire this rich terri
tory from weaker neighbor it was not
difficult for Chill to trump up pretext
to declare war. This was found in the
consummation of a secret treaty of mu-
tual defense against Chill entered into
by Peru and Bolivia. Although this did
not threaten any offensive war against
Chill that country seized upon it as
cause for war. Her demand that the
treaty should be abrogated not being
complied with, Chill declared war
April ), 1879. Peru had a nominal army
Of 40.000,poorly equipped, while Bolivia
had virtually no army at all. Chill, on
the other hand, was in good lighting
trim. Her fleet was formidable, her
cavalry well-mounted and armed; her
artillery consisted of the best modern
guns, and all told she was able to put
about rs, 900 men in the field On land
Peru made a stand against her enemy,
I,tt n H.. To- H. Al l.,
brated Huasear and the unfortunate IN
depencia. held their own against superior
numbers until the latter was wrecked
Even then, for four months the Huas-
car was terror TO the entire fleet of
Chill. The terrible engagement in which
she was finally overcome, after the com
mand of the vessel had devolved on FIVE
officers, who died at theirposts. was the
greatest naval fight of modern times.
Her capture left the entire Peruvian
coast line of 400 miles open to the
CHILEAN fleet Then disaster trod upon
the heel of disaster. until Lima fell and
the whole of Peru was oyerrun by the
merciless invaders. All the industrial
and commercial pursuits of peace were
prostr ated by this ferocious and pro-
tracted war. Chili's loss was 1926
killed and 500 wounded; Peru's, 1852
killed, 4,431 wounded and 1920 taken
prisoners, and Bolivia's S. 920 killed, .210
wounded and 800 taken prisoners. Chill
has gained everything she wished. The
treaty provides that Tarapaca shall be-
come the territory of Chill. Also that
she shall occupy the flourishing towns
of Tacua and africa for ten years. At
the end of that time they are to decide
by a popular vote to which country
they win belong, when the country Sc
curing them shall pay the other $40, 000,-
COO Chill has to assume on the best
terms possible for her the arrangement
of the Peruvian foreign debt, for which
the guano deposits of Tarapaca were
mortgaged long before the war, but
from the territory which passes into her
control she will he able TO do this and
quickly repay herself for the expenses
of her costly campaign. Peru is reduced
and Inundated almost beyond recovery
49, (Uic00o Hgf.0Ld