New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-15
THE GILLIAN STRUGGLE.
GROUNDS ON WHICH THE INSURGENTS BASE
THEIR OPPOSITION TO BALMACEpA.
PEDRO MoNTT ISSUES A PAMPHLET OUTLINING
THE CAUSES OF THE coFLIcr, WITH QUO
TATIONs FROM oEEIcIAI. nocrnrrSrs

pamphlet OF thirty eight pages has Just been
published at Washington by Pedro Montt, the conf |
Dental agent Of the Constitutional Government with
this title: Exposition of the Illegal Acts Of ex-Presi
dent Bamaceda, which Caused the Civil War In Chilli
This work is not poemca but rather historical 1t
appears 10 be cool and impartial narrative of occur
renoes with here and there touch Of the pOemics
pen The accuracy OF the narrative is supported BY
annexed documents, as for Instance the act Of both
houses Of the Chilian Congress declaring tho disquali
dcation Of Mr.. Balmaoeda for remaining President:
the latters DEGREES dss0lvng Congress- modifying the
electoral law, and declaring himself Dictator and other
official acts emanatng from both sides. Tho auth0r.
Mr. Montt, opens his historical work with the follow
ing words:
admirable characteristics Of the people
OF American Republic is their love OF fair play
their sympathy for haions struggling for main
tensnce Of liberties and Constitutional rights owing to
Of country and the persistent misreprc
scntaons the public and agents OF Mr. Bamaceda
In this country through the public press. persons
may been misled into the belief that are in
beion against o lawful and benign government. We
desire TO give a statement OF facts that unbiased
opinion may be formed TO The merits Of the struggle
now deugng unhappy country with fraternal
blood.
this continent from the United States has alway&
dcavored 10 prove herself worthy member sister
American Republics But, unfortunately for
national pride we are forced confess and lament
nuity prosperity and happiness which, until the present
year. gave gratifying promise for the future greatness
our Republic. But feel confident that the American
people, whose vener1ton for republican institutions and
love Of liberty notorious, after fun knowledge OF
present struggle and the IN which 1t Is being
conducted by opposing parties Will do the
full justice approval bearing in mind that the right
always earfully handicapped, az the inception OF
struggle for liberty by the fact that despoc authority
possession Of the capital, and is looked upon BY
fore nations the de acto and its oppOsors
as insurgents and rebels. brief review Of
the caues which have led TO the present
civil struggle country will show that cons.
IS less the Government de jure'
than was that Of the Continental Congress in revolt
against the tyranny George III in the last century
and is entitled to less sympathy and approval.
Mr.. Montt proceeds then to give brief history OF
the great progress made by Chill from the time she
organized her republican Government after having
conquered her independence from Spain. lie says
that the population, which In 1888 did not exceed
500 O0O Is to-day more than 3,O00,000 and that the
public revenues have increased from Sl,OOO,OO0 to
$50 900 OoO owing to the increase of national wealth
and not through excessive taxation. In spirit OF
fairness and impariality the author declares that
during the first years OF his admnisraton-that Is
from 1886 to 1ss0-Mr Balmaceda was discreet, con-
ciliating and attentive TO the voice Of public
OPINION But the President became intoxi-
Gated by the exercise Of power and he was
loath TO surrender 1t. AS he could not
hold office for second term" he attempted 10 force
the election Of "a creature Of his own selectonowho
would be merely a IOcum tenens.' while he would be
the real President OF the Republic and be able to elect
himself for the succeeding term.'
Such is the origin OF the civil war. The Congress
allowed itself to be deceived twice by Balmacedas
false promises to govern according to the ConStltu
tion But finally action had TO be taken; the fundh-
mental laws had been too often violated by the Bx
ecutlve power and public liberties tranplT upon The
first of January, 1891. had arrived. The appropra-
tons for the public expenses and the Army and Navy
bill had expired the day before by tho Constitutional
limitations. and Balmaceda had refused to convoke
Congress previous to that date to re-enact the ap
laws for tho year 1891 He could not dis
burse therefore, public moneys, nor maintain any mill
tary or naval force for lack of these laws Instead OF
convokng Congress, as his duty he Issued. Jan
uary Z 1891 decree, in which he said:
L decree:
From this date all public power necessary for
administering and governing the state and maintaining
order in the Interior Therefore from this moment every
law that would forbid exercise Of the powers required
for preserving and tranquility in the interior, and
security In the exterior of the state, is suspended
Record and publish In the official journal. .crn,
Mr. Months pamphlet continues
At this crisis that the President was bent on an
arbitrary Dictatorship Congress resolved to exercise the
mowers conferred upon by Constitution This nstru
ment provides whenever the President found unit 70
discharge duties Of his office by reason OF inhrh ao
or other grave cause Presidential office must be
declared vacant This It proceeded to do and solcnhN
ordained that Mr. Jose Manuel Bsmaceda had ceased to be
the President Of Chilli From this moment Mr. Balmacfda
los, the attributes President Of the Republic and re-
turned to the condition Of private citizen.
OF course Mr. Balmaceda refused to submit TO the decree
of Congress removing him from oce and supported by
norton Of army and by his creatures In the Executive
Offices whom he had mindfuy appointed for this emer'
pency prepared to maintain his Dictatorship. On ls
part Congress appealed to the people ana to the pubic
funconarie give effect its resolution OF his removal
from the Presidency. Here have the history Of the
causes and origin Of the civil war in Chill
Tho feet as well distinguished officers OF the
army Immediately placed themselves at the disposition oi
Congress. In virtue Of the resolution OF that body
lpnta or Provisional formed, consist
ing Of the commander Of the feet the VieeeSdent Of the
Senate and the President OF the House Of Representatives
This Junta firmly established at IGrigne and exercises
its authority the provinces Of 1acna Tapaca An
aud Atncama that extends from the 1h degree OF
south latitude the GOTH In these provinces the Con-
stituton and fully maintained The courts are
open for the administration Of the laws and for dispensing
iustice and all the functions of regularly
constituted republican government strictly performed
This is in striking the course the Dictator has
thought proper 70 pursue
The pamphlct relates then the occurrences since
January, which have made the Constitutional party
he master of the wealthiest provinces of Chilli Mr.
yontt closes his work with eloquent appeal to the
his confidence in Divine Providence He says:
We seek foreign countries especially IN the United
States to arouse sympathy OF free people in favor
N Nation struggling retain their free republican in
s,i,utons which were secured the cost Of much
nrecjous blood by their We wish TO make
nown to its fortunate citizens the that have led
TO the present unhappy condon Of our country feeling
assured that when the facts known the sympathy ana
GOOD wishes OF no citizen win be denied 20
brave people, struggling for the preservation Of their
liberties and the maintenance Of their republican form OF
government.
The people Chill! have always cOmrrehended to the
fullest extent sacedness " the high duties D. be- full
filed In the solemn epochs OF her history when her
existence Independent ration and her honor were OF
stake she displayed sufficient valor aud energy 70 maintain
the brightness Of the that adOrns her banner The
present struggle IN favor Of her Institutions an1 lbcrt'
scts the mos. vital interests the republic, and arr
certain preservation will not omit she
mover omitted the sacrifice her blood and her
treasures Divine Providence does not desert the de-
tenders Of utce and liberty Those who have been once