The Delta independent., 1891-03-31
LIGHT ON THE GILLIAN REVOLT.
Some Reasons for the Bloody Revolu-
ton in the Antipodes.

ton in the Antipodes.
Those OF our readers who have won-
dcred at the cause Of the Chilian rcvoiu-
tion will be interested in the following
statement by DIR. w. A. Edwards Of Den
yer, Colorado, who was for ten years
resident Of Valparaiso, Chilli. He says:
1.-THE present revolt and the manner in
which the warfare is carried on cannot
surprise any ono who is at all familiar
with the Chilians, or Chilenos, rs they call
themselves, or the system Of government
Chilli is nominally a republic, but prac-
tically it has long been an oligarchy, gov
erned by thirty or forty rich and infiuen-
tial families. While the rising is
nominally one against the president, it is
in reality directed against the system OF
which he is the representative, and while
the personal causes of complaint brought
matters TO focus, they had little TO do
with the origin Of the troubles.
"When first went to Chill In 1875, the
hostility between the inhabitants OF tho
sea coast cities and those who lived inland
| was extremely bitter. The landlords, for
the most part, lived in Valparaiso, and the
feeling was very similar TO that in Ireland
to the absentee landlords. This land
holding class has practically controlled
the government for thirty years and have
invariably chosen the president All the
legislation has been in the hands Of D few
people, and until recently all the commits
sions in the army and navy were given TO
those In sympathy with the ruling caste.
| BY holding control OF the army and navy,
| the ruling classes were able to prevent
any rebellion from breaking out, and BY
declaring war against Peru and Bolivia,
| the government did much TO make itself
popular.
"a thorough history OF that war has
never been written. Such . piratical ex
pcdition is unknown in modern wars, and
| IL was carried on with barbarity worthy
/ of our wild Indians. When war broke out
! the army was largely increased, which
| accounts for the fine showing made by
those in rebellion against the government
at the present time, as nearly all the
| leaders are men who gained regulations
| In that contest
''Chili did not try 70 conquer Peru, but
| TO destroy it in order that the Peruvians,
who hate the Chilians, might be COM
| PEELED to nsk kr annexation. What had
once been = rich and fertile country has
been transformed into = desert. Planta-
iions were destroyed, houses burned and
the irrigating canals blown up long after
peace had been declared. But the object
was accomplished, and while Peru was
not annexed, It WAS not long n rival to
Chill. No one can estimate the amount of
| plunder that was taken out Of the country.
| "with the removal of Peru as n danger
| Gus rival and the annexation OF the Peru
Wan guano fields, the young men OF the
ruling families abandoned the army and
navy aud obtained employment as agents
In managing the Lewly acquired property
with which they did pretty much rs they
pleased. This opened promotion To men
who never be fore had been able To obtain
commissions In the military or naval ser
vice and changed its whole complexion.
The great weapon Of the government was
brought TO n condition in which It could be
turned against Il and this has occurred.
The army and navy are now in close sym
pathy with tho people and together they
seem to control the situation. As to the
ruthless slaughter of prisoners and non
combatants, il is onlr carrying out the
rules OF the Peruvian war.