Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-14
AFFAIRS IN CHILLI.
The Revolution That Has Been Going
On IN That Country.
HOW THE TROUBLE BEGAN.
Prompt Action ON the Part Of the President
Would Have Checked the Uprising at the
Notwithstanding - to the Result-Balms.
csda and His Family.
From The Stars Travelling Commissioner.

u
4 disturbances this obstreperous little repub.
lie, which considers herself fully capable Of
whipping the whole world, is neither safe
nor pleasant place for foreigners to visit just
now, but, journalistically. speaking, is a ''seat
OF war" by no means to be ignored. However,
1t makes little difference in what part Of South
America the scribe may pitch his moving tent,
for in every one Of these miscalled republics
political troubles are brewing always and liable
at any time to bubble up in armed rebellion.
Chill has boosted much of being the mos,
peacable Of them all, as well as the most pros
porous and Law abiding.
RELIABLE INFORMATION DIFFICULT.
We made hasty trip down here from Peru
during last July Cthe midwinter season on this
side OF the equator) in the midst of the excite
ment, then at fever heat, which was really the
beginning OF present complications--on DUR
pose to study both sides Of the questions at
ISSUE 1t is impossible to arrive at a fair under
standing OF them at distance because South
american newspapers. mostly printed in the
Spanish language, are few, inefficient and uni
versally bought up" by one faction or the
other; while the telegraph wires. when not
seized or torn down by insurgents, are owned
ana controlled by the government. Indeed it
ID eas1er for you at the distant north to receive
reiiaole though tardy information concerning
events occurring on the southern continent
through private messages sent by foreigners
engaged In business here to their houses in
London, France or New York via Buenos Ayres
than for people living in different divisions Of
the same country, who must depend entirely
upon local facilities
THOUGHT THE TROUBLE ONLY TEMPORARY
On that first visit to Chilli we came over to
the capital on purposel to have an interview
with the president (Which was easily &C.
complished), and to attend some Of the excit-
ing sessions of congress and it CHANGED, by rare
good fortune, that we left Valparaiso the very day
before that dreadful 2lst of July, when for
some hours the old seaport was in the hands Of
a howflng mob and its streets we're bathed in
blood Even then prominent Chilians assured
me that the trouble was only a TEMPORARY
strike which might occur anywhere and that
there was not the remotest danger of a
revolution, because the people we're altogether
TOO patriotic to bring discredit on their be-
loved country.
PRESIDENT BALMAcEDA BLAMED.
1t seems to be the fashion, especially abroad.
among those whose knowledge of ChiH's affairs
must be, to say the least, somewhat superficial,
to attribute all the blame Of the middle to
PRESIDENT balmaceda and to characterize him
as tyrant and wOuld-be dictator. The truth
is that if the executive had not been too plant
and anxious to please in the first place he would
have crushed the rebellion in its infancy, be-
fore Its ugly hydra-heads had grown too strong
Ior him. The fault is principally with deter
mined and INSCRIPTIONS political faction which
unfortunately happens to have a majority in
the legislative chamber and whose primary OBJ
Ject 10 to control the approaching presidential
election, which can only be done by breaking
the power OF the present incumbent.
HOW THE TROUBLE BEGAN.
The trouble began in this way: Ever since
Chill has claimed to be republic her constitu-
ton has permitted every president to nominate
his own successor and to practically elect him
with the cooperation of his ministers, an un-
wise and foolish custom We of the north may
think, but. having been firmly established BY
law and precedent. there il no reason yhy Don
should not exercise his constitutional
prerogative in the matter the same as his pre-
decessors have done. If the system is now at
variance with popular feeling q peaceable
change might have been effected in the consti-
tuition without all this loss OF life and property.
ne dlsanected congressman, having cause to
fear that the president would name as his sue
SCISSOR certain cabinet officer who is OBJ
noxious to them, deliberately instigated
revofts by obstinately refusing to pass any
presupuestas. as the appropriations are
called, until Balmaceda should come to their
terms, the first demand being that he dismiss
his ministers, one and all Tin order to get rid
VI sno oUnoNOus one .anu tnen appoint others
more to their liking. This the president de-
clined to do, on the ground that the CHILEAN
government, like that of every other republic.
gives the executive the right to select his own
immediate officers and to retain them unless
they become guilty Of grave offense; that he
had already changed his cabinet twice within
little more than two years in tia vain effort to
satisfy them and to do SO o third time, for no
fault OF the minister's. would no. only be ex-
tremeiy unjust to those gentlemen and render
himself ridiculous in the eyes Of the world as q
party puppet with no "back bone," but would
establish dangerous precedent for his success
sors in all time to come.
HE WAS not FIRM.
The revolts Of seven months ago were the di-
rect result of this refusal, or rather OF the
means employed by congress to make the
president change his mind. Even then had he
adhered to his first decision, or, better still.
had he made and abide6 by it when the first
change OF officers was demanded, all might now
be well with the country, and If milder means
for enforcing his rightful authority had not
availed it would have been far better for the
country had he caused the arrest and detention
OF the agltators as SO many traitors to the gov
eminent All the world admires brave man
sort would have won more re.
spect for Senior Balmaceda than he
can now hope to enjoy. 70 be sure such ex-
treme measures are contrary to the spirit Of re-
pupncanism; put 90 ID armed rebellion, the
bombardment Of unofeHding cities and the
murder Of hundreds of helpless women and
children, huddled together for safety, as lately
took place at Iquiqui by posse Of irresponsi-
BILE cut-throats, whose crimes were the result
OF the rebellious attitude assumed by the legis-
lators. OF course it is but just to add that at
first congress probably had no idea that the
dangerous bah it set rolling would gather such
deadly proportions-and SO might one argue
In favor OF the incendiary who deliberately
hres powder magazine, without considering
what lives and property he may destroy.
TRIED TO CRIPPLE TIE EXECUTIVE.
They refused to pass the presupuestas for the
purpose of Gripping the executive, knowing
that at the same time they we're running bust
ness Of every kind and melting the worst Glasses
in the country to desperate deeds. No taxes.
duties or other contributions to the treasury
could be deeds or other legal docu-
ments could not be recorded. For long time
one could not buy postage stamp in all Chill,
and sometimes for days together the post Offices
would be closed Merchants could not get their
goods out OF the custom houses. and Quantities
Of perishable goods spoiled in the keeping. The
army and navy could not be paid. nor any other
employees OF the government however their
families might suffer. Business of every descrip-
ton Except the pawnbrokerso was completely
paralyzed, and exchange sank lower and
lower, until for every dollar Of the United
States one received sS.37 in Gillian currency.
Failures occurred on every hand and there
were people actually starving Delegation
after delegation OF citizens waited upon the
president and to all Of them he explained the
situation, assuring them that the fault was not