Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-07-07
He AVERTED A WAR.
And Received $4,000 Medal From
the Argentine Government.

And Received a S22,OOO Medal From
the Argentine Government.
The man who averted war between the
Argentine Republic and Chilli lis at the
Arlington, says the Wash ngton Post. His
name Is Gen. Thomas o. Osborn, and for
eighteen years he was the United States
Minister resident at Buenos Ayres. When
succeeded last fall Gen. Osborn and D.
Thompson, the pastor Of the American
church at the Argentine capital, started
for the Pacific Coast by way of Northern
Argentine; Bolivia and Peru. They trav-
eled 600 miles on muleback, crossing the
ranges of the Andes and frequently riding
forty and fifty miles day across the
toughest country imaginable. At times
the hot air, almost devoid of oxygen,
nearly asphydated them, while at other
times they were in the region of eternal
snow. 1t was a long and hazardous trip,
requiring two and half months for its
accomplishment, and Gen. Osborn says
that he would not undertake it again for
all the wealth there is in Bolivia.
But now about the war that Gen. Osborn
averted. The boundary line between the
Argentine Republic and Chilli has been a
matter Of dispute ever since these coun-
tries were first created. The bitter feeling
eliminated about 1880, and war was i'm
of 100000 men and was eager to settle by
bloodshed the vexed question. On the eve
of the crisis Gen. Osborn intervened. He
offered to communicate with ex-Gov. Os-
| born, of Kansas, then Minister to Chilli,
with a view of deciding the question in a
| friendly manner.
1t would be a long story to relate how
Gen. Osborn's proposition was accepted
| though at first reluctantly, and how he
began his correspondence with his brother
diplomatic Of the same name. He proposed
| that Argentine should name the line it
| would accept and that Chilli do the same
After the first letter had passed between
| the Ministers, the telegraph line between
Buenos Ayres and San Diego was placed
| at their disposal and the further negotia-
| tioAs were made over the wire. When
| the two Governments submitted their lines
| it proved that there was very little differ
| ence, and that the main point was the con-
| troll of the Straits Of Magellan. When this
had finally been compromised, the treaties
we're sent to each country for exchange.
| Z" 1t was winter when the negotiations
| reached their climax" said Gen. Osborn to
| Post reporter, land it was at some risk
that the courier bearing the treaty crossed
the mountains, so we sent another courier
| after him but heard from neither. Accord
| ing to agreement, the treaty was to be ex-
| changed and confirmed by six o'clock on q
certain day. AS the afternoon wore on
| and nothing was heard of the couriers, the
Argentine Republic asked over the wire il
the treaties could be exchanged by tele-
| graph. Chill consented and it was done
| An hour later both couriers arrived in San
| Diego.
| There was great rejoicing in Argentine
you may be sure, when the news was pub
lished that the boundary dispute had
been settled. Upon Gen. Osborn's head
delighted citizens showered compliments
and honors. Nor were these honors empty
ones. The ladies of the capital presented
him with pair of handsome agate vases
| French clock mounted in agate and 6
card table of the same beautiful stone
The Argentine Government, as token o.
its appreciation, sent to Paris and had con
| structed from an original design by Gus
tave Dore massive gold and silver shield
This trophy, two and half feet in diane
ter and costing $4,000, was presented tx
Gen. Osborn with great formality by the
President and Cabinet of the republic.