Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
KEY TO THE CAPITAL.
Chile's Rebels Must Take Talcahuan0
Before Santiago Falls.
VALPARAISO Is IMPROBABLE.
Visit to Conception When the People
We're Taking q Siesta.
RESOURCES OF THE SOUTHERN LAND
rcoRxEsroNDENor OF THE DISPATCH ]

| CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DrsPATcH.1
| TALCAHUANo, CHILE, July S.-Return-
ing from Crusoe's Island to our starting
point, Talchuano, I find this portion OF
Chile so full of novelty and interest that
the impulse is strong to stop hereabouts for
a time. Though the Northern half of the
Republic is richer in minerals and great
cities, the Central and Southern portions
comprise nearly all the agricultural area,
which will insure permanent prosperity
after the gold and silver and nitrate and
guano of the deserts in the North are ex-
hausted.
In scenical point of view the South is
certainly to be preferred, with Its lofty
mountains, great rivers, green valleys and
dark forests, where dwell the yet uncon-
quered Araucan ians-the bravest Indians
in South America. All the coal of the
country Is found in the South (Which brings
from S25 to $50 per tony, and all the timber;
and though it has neither Santiago nor a
Valparaiso, the city of Conception is not
great way behind, being reckoned third
in size in the Republic, while Valdivia,
Linares, Coronel, Imperial and other grow
ing towns are already Of considerable i'm
portance.
THE GREAT WEST OF CHILE.
In short, its northern half is to this coun-
try what the great West is to the United
States and it is comparatively new pos
session, having been a part of Patagonia
until recent period, when that territory
was divided between Chile and the Argen-
tine Republic. Another good reason for
tarrying awhile is that the ''seat of war"
will probably soon be transferred to Talca-
huano, and, therefore, one must visit the 10
cality now or not at all. 1t is not unlikely
that before this letter can reach the United
States and appear in print, the telegraph
may have brought you news of fresh hor-
rors-that this peaceful village is laid waste,
its citizens murdered and their property
destroyed.
The insurgents are now practically pris-
oners in the northern provinces, where they
have set up an Opposition" government,
and SO far all the better part of the country
has been beyond their grasp. Should they
gain possession of Talcahuano 1t will be the
best Cor rather the worst) stroke of work
they have yet accomplished, except the tax
ing of Iquique, the nitrate port, which fur
nishes them with plenty of money to carry
on the conflict and correspondingly cripples
the federal treasury.
THE ROUTE TO THE CAPITAL
Via Talcahuano is the one route by which
the rebels have the remotest chance of
reaching the capital, 1t being less than a
hundred miles distant and directly con-
nected by rail. The port would make an
excellent base for future operations, for in
its well-sheltered bay their transport could
lie secure from all winds that blow; and
here, where wheat, corn, fruit and Yegeta-
bles grow in abundance, supplies can be OBJ
tanned at much cheaper rates than in the
desert north, where everything in the line
of food is in ported Besides, Talcahuano is
virtually undefeDded, and might be more
easily taken than Iquique, africa and other
ports which they have already secured,
where nature furnished admirable sites for
Notifications.
We are expecting news at any time of q
battle at Coquimbo, the port next north of
Valparaiso; and should the rebels come off
victorious there-as is eminently probable,
that place being no better defended than
this-they will undoubtedly sail direct to
200 miles south of Valparaiso,
giving the last named place "wide berth"
by sea. However elated by past successes,
they would hardly be so mad as to tackle
Valparaiso, it being one of the best fortified
ports in the world.
THE FoRTIFICArIoNs OF VALPARAISO.
lLb CIcsCeuL-oudpco ~ eQVlrOQeC Dv
an unbroken line of hills, and upon them
guns are placed in such position as to sweep
1t in every part and command all the land
ing places. There are so guns-one len-inch
muzzle-loader, IL nine-inch breech-loaders.
8 Krupp guns of 81 centimeters caliber, and
13 300-pounders. The masked batteries
show very small targets for attacking ships
to fire at, and destruction would be certain
to much larger force than the rebels can
muster-unless, as might easily happen in
this land of treachery, the gunners were
bribed to turn the forts over to the enemy,
after the manner of Captain Velasco. who
was hanged for the crime few weeks ago.
So far as is known, the rebel feet has
but 10 guns, the largest being a ten-inch
breech-loader. For long time past the
Government gunners at Valparaiso have
been given daily practice, using for targets
floating casks with flags attached. Tbey
have range finder, and know the distances
to an inch in every part of the bay. Be-
sides, at this time of year (midwinter below
the equator), the alleged harbor of Val
paraiso is an exceedingly rough place, ex-
posed to the frequent "northers," :" which |
for days together keep vessels pitching and
rolling too much for action, or send them
scudding helplessly hither and thither.
GONE TOO FAR TO RETURN.
A woman's opinion may not count for |
much, but it is my belief that the "opposi- I
tionists" are heartily tired of this whole |
business and would abandon it at once did |
not considerations of personal safety weigh |
with the leaders. Should they voluntarily |
give in or be defeated while Balmaeeda is in
power they know very well what to expect
at his hands. Having ruined his admins
tration and darkened his future life and
made him appear like q monster in the ewes
of the world, they could not look for much
clemency from his naturally revengcful dis
position. 1t will not be many weeks before
3 new President grasps the helm, and it is
my opinion that then peace will speedily be
patched up for the good of all concerned, by
concessions on both sides, which are not pos
sible now between Balmaceda and his op-
posers.
This Bay of Conception is about six miles
long by four miles wide, and is by all odds
he best and safest for large ships on the
,oast of Chile. The port Of Talcahuano oc-
,upies its southwest angle, with the village
If Tome, Liriquen and Pence on the east,
he Island of Quiriguina (three miles long
~ mile wide), at the entrance, and the
city of Conception only 20 miles
inland, reached by railway in q few mo-
nents. The name of this port, by the way,
S pronounced as if spelled Thalcah-whan-
10, accented on the third syllable.
DISTANCE LENDS ENCHANTMENE
Viewed from the deck of vessel, the
7illage presents beautiful appearance I
,ut, like other South American towns, It's
distance lends enchantment Its pictur- I
sque church spire forms a conspicuous
mark toward which ships steer to anchor
ge, and wooden pier puts out far into
he bay. There is a large dock, an arsenal,
seaman's hospital, a signal station on