The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-08
THE SITUATION IN CHILE.

1t is difficult to get at the truth about the
war in Chile. Each side fills the newspapers
with diSp atcheS favorable to its cause; the
public no sooner hear that Balmaceda is on
his last legs than they are told that the Con-
greSsiOnais are in hopeless condition. One
week Balmaceda is represented as trium-
plant at every point; the next week it is
the insurgents who are about to administer
a finishing stroke to the Dictator. For some
reason or other nothing is heard from our
Minister, Mr. Egan, who is in position 10
know the truth.
At the present moment the facts ap-
pear to be that all Chile north of Co.
Quimbo is in the hands of the Congress
SIGNALS, while all Chile south of Coeumbo is
in the hands Of the ex-President. Thus the
latter controls the food-growing area, and
the Congressionals are compelled to import
their grain and meat; but on the other hand,
the insurgents hold the nitrate deposits. and
thus have all the money they need while
Balmaceda has been obliged to issue fat
money, which is already at discount of rs
per cent as compared with gold. The Die
tator has the larger army of the two, such as
it is, and holds the two principal cities, Val
paraiso and Santiago. But the insurgents
command the sea, and have a really formi-
dable navy under their orders. Two cruisers
built in France for Balmaceda are on their
way to Chile; they may restore equilibrium
between the belligerents in naval strength
But the Compassionate will probably give
them warm reception when they arrive.
There is probably some eXaggerati0n in
the stories of crueltleS practiced by the eX-
Presidents party, but they are too frequently
reported to be wholly fiction. They surprise
no one who is familiar with Spanish-Amsri-
can warfare Their present Importance
arises from the fact that they imply,
first, weakness and rage on the part of
the Dictator, and secondly, a marked di-
vision of opinion among the Inhabitants of
the district he controls. When a ruler be-
gins TO torture and murder people he is get
ting afraid.
Balmaceda's plan, which came to the
knowledge of the people last December. was
to secure permanent and supreme power by
means of coup d'etat in the Napoleonc
fashion. But Congress was beforehand with
him. On the first Of January last they de-
elaTed his Office vacant. This was done in
strict compliance with the provisions of tie
constitution Of Chile. and was based on re-
peated violations Of that instrument by the
President. The constitution of Chile pro-
vides that the President shall not be respon-
term, but he shall not raise money, nor levy
taxes, nor exercise any control over the
army or navy, except through a body of
ministers who are responsible, and who
must be in accord with the majority of Con-
gress. Balmaceda ignored this constitu-
| tional provision. lie administered every de-
| partment of the Government through cab
| met in VIII ich Congress declared repeatedly
that it had lost confidence. and finally COL
| lected and disbursed the revenues without
| Congressio nal authority. He capped the
| climax by dissolying Congress, much in the
| style of Oliver Cromwell. The difference
between him and Cromwell aud the Bona
parties was be could not carry the people
with him.
When Congress was dissolved its men,
ber5, with the exception of small CLIQUE
which adhered TO the President, called upon
the people to fight for their liberties They
were Joined by tile Judges OF the courts, the
navy as q body and number of leading
officers of the army. Balmaceda, however,
retained control Of the regiments which
were stationed at the capital and at Valpa-
raise, and the Congressionals and their allies
were forced TO fly to the north. Appalled,
at the unexpected resistance to his coup
d'etat, Bal maceda resolved to defer some
=. what to public opinion. lie summoned a
new Congress to meet at Santiago. 1t con-
sisted wholly of his friends. 1t contained
no opposition party. Then on the day set
for the election of President he stepped
aside and nominated one Vicuna, who is de-
voted to his interests. He was unanimously
elected last month, and will take Office in
September
In the meantime trade is paralyzed at Val
paraisO. The foreign merchants, in whose
hands the commerce of the port is concen-
trated, appear to be unanimously in favor OF
the CongressioDals and opposed to the Die
tator. But the iron hand of the latter rests
so heavily on their lips that they dare moi
speak their mind while they are in Chile.