The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-10
THE REPUBLIC OF Chilli.
Little Known OF the Southern Land
Now Ravaged by Civil
War.
The Andes SO High That Other
Peoples Cannot See
Over Them.
Chi1ian Men of Wealth Unlike Those of
Neighboring Nations-The Presiden-
tial Warming Pan"

lopecihl Correspondence OF JHh INDEPENDENT
IQUIQuE, Chill, March 26. The bloody
civil war which is now III progress in the
republic of Chill does not seem to impress
Americans with its awful reality. In fact,
very few people of this country are giving
the matter the concern that is usually
aroused by rebellion in which n republic
seems about to be overthrown. There are
several reasons for this apparent lack of
interest. the most correct of which is set
forth in the observation of II Chilian states
man, who recently said. 1.-The Andes are 30
high that foreigners do not seem able to
see over them.''
The mountain range that forms the east
ern boundary of Chill, by cutting off that
country from anything like facile COM
munication with the center of civilization,
has left these centers in an almost pitiable
condition OF ignorance regarding it.
Telegraphic com munication with Eur op
is maintained by two lines of wire. the one
running northward by way of Peru to the
United States, and the other carried across
the Andes to Buenos Ayres. and thence
aloug the Atlantic coast to Pernambuco
from which point cable is laid to Lisbon.
But messages are expensive costing about
$3 Per word. while letters from the Chill
capital are only dispatched once fort
night, and take about six weeks to get to
London. Under these circumstances, it is
not strange that ignorance is the rule as
regards Chill and her people. and especially
her politics. In regard to the latter the
lack of information is all bnt complete.
The simple sentence, Chill is a republic"
may be said to cover current kno wledge.
Chill is republic. but republic, up to
short time back, far less akin to such
modern developments as France and the
United States than to Genoa and Venice.
A representation nominally popular was
really centered in the hands of an oligarchy,
though it must be conceded that the presi-
dent is invested with powers seldom placed
in the hands of a doge save under emer-
gencies of no ordinary character. But he
was, and Is, himself invariably selected
from among the members of Il group of
leading families whose historic names, an
cient lineage and accumulated wealth, fire.
auently taking the form of vast territorial
possessions, constitute them as much Il
class apart as the patricians of the Italian
republics.
These leading families have controlled
the great state which lies be-
tween the Andes and the shores
of the South Pacific, and whidh has IL
coast line 5000 miles long and a population
of 100000, an army of $4,000 men and a
navy of forty-nine vessels, some of which
are iron clads manned by $500 men. To
the territorial magnates national politics
have always presented an attraction, and
the Chilian millionaire, as q rule. aspires
rather to parliamentary eminence in his
own country than to playing the part of Il
nabob in Paris, like SO many of his kind
from Peru, Brazil or the Argentine.
The chief political prize is of course, the
presidency, and the value and Importance
of thus position have enormously increased
by result of the successful contest waged
with Peru.
The true history of that war has never
been written. Such a piratical expedition
is uncommon in modern times, and it was
carried on with n barbarity worthy of our
wild Indians. When the war broke out the
army was largely increased, which accounts
for the fine showing made by those III re-
bellion against the government at the res
ent time, as nearly all the leaders are men
who gained reputation in that contest.
Chill did not try to conquer Peru but to
destroy her, i'll order that the peruvians,
who hate the Chilians, might be compelled
to ask for annexation. What had once
been a rich and fertile country had been
transformed almost into desert. Planta-
tions we're destroyed, houses burned and
irrigating canals blown up long after peace
had been declared. But the object was ac-
complished, and, while Peru was not an
nexed, it is no longer a rival of Chilli. No
ono can estimate the amount of plunder
that was taken ont of the country.
With the removal of Peru as a dangerous
rival, and the annexation of the Peruvian
cuano fields, the young men of the ruling
families abandoned the army and navy and
obtained employment as government
agents in managing the newly acquired
property. with which thev did pretty much
as they pleased. This opened promotion to
men who mover before had been able to OBJ
tain commissions in the military or naval
service, and changed it's whole complexion.
The great weapon of the government was
thus brought to condition in which it
could be turned against it, and this has oc-
Cured. The army and navy are now in
close sympathy with the people, and to-
Gether they seem to contro! the situation.
As to the ruthless slaughter of prisoner &
and non-comhatnnts, it is only carrying out
tha rules of the Pc uvan war.
Presidents, realizing the enhanced value
of the patronage at their disposal, and the
opportunities thus afforded of at one and
the samo time rewatdiug their followers
ana constituting Il pNlN Oh IuutiloHarltS
devoted to their interests, found n reason
for continuing us far as possible in office
aud n means of bringing this result about.
The constitution, 1t IL true, prohibited II
statesman from filling the presidential
office FOR two consecutive terms, hut there
was no proviso to hinder him from reoccu-
rying it "a often NJ he could mt intervals of
four years. Hence tho practice grew up of
II retiring president nominating II depend
ent as his successor and exertiug the whole
of his influence to secure his return, on the
understanding, of course. that this courtesy
should be reciprocated at the close of the
nominees term of office.
Such u result was bv no means SO diff
cult as might have been expected IN n
country where universal suffrage nominally
prevails, owing To tho encormous admiui-
strative power conferred i'll tho president
through its creatures holding local offices,
the Ignorance of the mass of voters, and the
want of cohesion among his opponents,
however numerous they might be.
Thus the present president, Senior Bal
maceda, owed his position wholly and
solely to the intlueuHe of his prede cossor,
Sanor Domingo Santa Maria, whose warm
ing -pnu" To use the local phrase. he was
understood to be, and in whose favor he
was to retire at the close of his term OF
office.
But it happened that instead of his keep
ing faithfully to the terms of his contract,
senior Bnlmacetia thought 1T might be more
,, advantageous to put in WA ming pan
on his own account. For this purpose he
mads u choice nearly two years ago of Senor