The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-30
THE DOWNFALL OF BALMACEDA.

THE DOWNFALL OF BALMACEDA.
The latest advicss from Chill put ar
entirely different aspect on affairs ii
that unhappy republic, and indicate tn,
complete overthrow of Dictator Balma-
ceda and his government. This is goot
news il true and it seems to be true
The insurgents are undoubtedly m pos
session Of Valparaiso and the news may
be expected at any moment that San.
tiago is also theirs. Communication
with the latter city is cut off, but as il
is only seventy miles distant from Val
paraiso there is little doubt, if their vic.
tory is as complete as reported, that the
insurgents have it in their possession
The movement of the insurgents a few
days ago was one of the most daring in
military annals. Their entire army was
moved from its base at Caldera to Quin-
tero bay, a short distance from Valpa-
ralso, and the insurgents staked their
all on the chances Of capturing that
stronghold Of the enemy. They real
lied that to strike Balmaceda in his
very citadel and fortress and defeat
him would end the war, and they appear
to have succeeded, after a desperate bat
tie, of which the particulars are as yet
very meager. Valparaiso is the key to
the whole Gillian situation. 1t has a
population of something over 100000,
and is the chief port Of the South Pa
ciic. 1t is a strongly fortified city. a
kirh onro ~ hill, ,1r,@o% Lor,n,, -
in, the north being the only side from
which it can be approached. The in
surgents have the entire navy of the re-
public practically, and once in posses
sion of the city they cannot be dislodged
should Balmaceda succeed in r~allying
his scattering forces.
All liberty-loving people will rejoice in
the defeat Of Balmaceda should the
news be confirmed. An attempt has
been made during the long struggle to
convey the impression to the world that
the insurgents were mere rebels against
an established form of constitutional
government, and entitled to no sympa-
thy. The fact is, the rebels are the true
friends OF the republic and Balmaceda
it's worst enemy. Balmaceda has been
president of the republic since 1886. In
the first years of his administration he
was liberal and conservative, but his
ambition for power became insatiate,
and he proved to be one of the worst en-
emies of the people. The constitution
OF Chilli forbids the reelection of a pres
ident, but Balmaceda violated the spirit
OF the law by forcing the election Of one
OF his tools and agents as his immediate
successor. This man bitterly antago-
nlzed public opinion and both houses of
congress and the people generally dis
trusted him. 1t was apparent that Bal
maceda was behind the new president,
and Lastaria, the head of the cabinet,
resigned because of Balmaceda's in
trigues and prosecutions, and in at
tempting to flee from the tyrant's wrath
persisted in the SHOWS Of the Andes. A
new cabinet was formed in October,
AsS9, and Balmaceda promised to call an
extra session of congress to quiet the
popular clamor, in the spring of 1890.
He failed to keep his promise and formed
a new cabinet with one of his tools at
its head. The congress that met in
June last year passed a vote of censure
against the ministry by a large majority
of both houses, but at Balmaceda's in
stigation the ministry refused to yacate
their offices and the conflict was precip.
ltated. Congress refused to pass appro-
priation bills and Balmaceda paid the
expenses of the government from the
surplus in the treasury. Riots and
bloodshed followed. Congress firmly
maintained it's ground and Balmaceda
was forced to appoint a new ministry.
The situation frightened for a time but
when Balmaceda refused to remove an
Objectionable official the ministry re-
signed in a body and Balmaceda formed
another ministry, this time of his init
mate personal friends. He again re-.
FUSED TO convene congress in an extra
session and, as no appropriations we're
made, on January l, 1891, he virtually
proclaimed himself dictator by declar-
ing that he would use the public money
n maintain the army and navy with
out regard to the constitution. From
that time on to the present he has been
dictator without the semblance of au-
thority. He succeeded in holding a
part OF the army, but the rest, includ-
ing the most distinguished officers, and
the entire navy, continued to support
the constitution and obey the mandates
congress. A provisional government.
consisting of the head of the navy and
the presiding officers of the senate and
house OF representatives was formed and
continued to administer constitutional
government in the four provinces and
maintain the laws of the republic. The
head of the constitutional government
has been at Iquique.
Only Balmaceda's remarkable ability }
courage and audacity have enabled him
to maintain his position so long. He
has levied tribute on the people without
regard to forms of law and PLAYED the
tyrant with q high hand. He has rel
cruited his army by sweeping conscrip-
tlons, refused to let people not in sym
pathy with him leave the country. anG T
reduced his subjects to absolute serv-
tude. Neither life nor property hae .
been regarded if the takipo ri o;+h.,