Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-08-13
Ups and Downs OF Bump,ious Chill

In connection with the rum0r, that has
obtaioed little credence though cOnsid
erabie uutoriety. to the effect that Bal
maceda, the CHILEAN President, had
offered our government 81 900 900 dol
lars for the cruiser Baltimore the Phila-
delphis Ledger says But the fact
that Chilli should seek at all--or even to
he reported a. seeking-to buy swift
and powerful ironclad wsrship from
among the vessels of the American navy
in 1891 Is the point of interest in the
despatch, in view of the position Chill
occupied in 1881 There can be no doubt
that the CHILEAN Government (Balmaee
da's) ia greatly crippled for the want OF
such ship; and here are squa6rons OF
them on the Atlantic aud Pacific coasts
OF the United States all ready for action
so near and yet SO far
How different from the situation only
ten To a dozen wears ago, Those were
the ''bumptious" times in Chili's history
She had gone into the war with Peru and
Rnhvi.-tn 1879 had beatea both OF
them on land ard ut sea-had crushed
Peru had exaoted from her humiliating
terms ot peace in 1SSl-dictsted in the
naughty and memorable spirit OF the
German demands on the French Repub.
lie in lS1l-had deprived Peru of pro
yinces that were rich in the revenues
they Welded had demanded the payment
OF $40 900 600 for war indemnity. of
L. n Nh l.,1. 4r, h
- impossible for Peru to pay-and this
WAS to be coupled with the abrogation of
Perus treaties with Bolivia.
Chill during the period between April,
ls.a and October, l~SS, bad humbled
and despoiled Peru in every way that
was practicable at the time. 1t will be
remembered by those who carry the poll
tics of the American Republics in their
minds with what a high hand Chilli was
carrying on along the Pacific coast Of
South Anne RIGA during the early months
of Mr. Blsite 's and Mr.. Fevlinghuysen's
administration of the State Department
In ISL aud lSS2 how persistently all
friendly advances by the nited St,tss
towards bringing about pe-ce between
the two countries were bstfied by I hill
how the friendly offices OF the United
States were repelled, and how, in fact,
we occupied before the world the att
tude of having been snuhbed by that
putfed up little nation. This even went
so far "a to encourage the comic papers
of valparaiso and Santiago to caricatur"
the United states ~ trembling with ap
prehension. lest the Gillian ironClad
Blsneo should clean out San Francisco
and all of the readable seaport towns
on the California coast
Later on than the treaty of October
20. 1883, Chilli continued to staud up on
a lofty pair of stills for her Govern
meut refused yesr or two sgo to give
adhesion TO the Pan American Arburs-
tiou Conference it is different now.
Chill is dependent on the honorable con-
duct of the United States, and upon the
prompt action of the American Navy
for the service which prevents her insur-
reetionarv enemies from receiving
powerful reinforcement of war supplies
arms and munitions; and would be glad
enough now TO aeeeGe TO the opportuni-
ties for American arbitration, which she
.scorned with her heels" in 1881 aud
again In 1890.
Ii is interesting to note what number
Of political disturbances have happened
in south America and Central America
since the inception of the initial proceed.
ings of the Pan American Conference =
showing the great advantage, If not the
great necessity, for Just such close
compact between all the indepen
dent states of the American con-
tinsnt for their mutual benefit and
protection, as furnished the motive for
that conference There Is trouble be
tween Chill and the Argentine Corfed
Grafton about their Pafsgouiau bound
aries: there has been little war in Sal
vador and Guatemala; Neneznels is
being crowded by Grsat Britain IN 4
terrific ial dispute, IN " hich there l. hari
Is room fer more than tue oue optnioa.
Inat Venszae is right; there has bsp.