The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-03
THE CHILEAN STRUGGLE.
R. L. Trumbull's Story of the
Civil Wal Which is Now in
Progress.
Though 1t is a One Sided View
It is a Very Interest,"
ing One.
Balmaceda Precipitated the o by
Striving to Enrich Himself at tho
States Expense.

Ricardo l.. Trumbulls story of "The
Struggle for Chilian Liberty" in the August
Forum ought to be read by every citizen OF
the United States. MIR. Trumbull is ar
agent of the CHILEAN congressional govern
ment, as distinguished from the Balmaceda
government, and when he speaks of a strug-
gle for liberty in Chill he means the strug-
gle to cast off the president-dictator and re-
store to the people their constitutions
rights and powers. Citizens of this coun-
try ought to read a statement of the Tin
surgents" claims, because one day we shall
be called upon to welcome into the family
of republics a nation resting on the ruins of
Balmaceda's wretched fabric.
Mr.. Trumbull tells the story alb initio.
Granted that it is a partisan recital, it is
interesting and for the most part true.
Jose Manuel Balmaceda was elected presi-
dent of Chill in 1886. Gillian presidents
hold office for five years and cannot be re-
elected, Balmaceda's election was there
fore the browning reward of his career.
for from the state. The first
two years of his administration were years
of honor and prosperity in the republic. In
AooS PhAe AioAh IC
BILE traditions of his office and betrayed to
an astonished country his design to enrich
himself at the expense of the state. To
this end, since he could not be reelected.
his hope lay in his ability to name his sue
cessor. The nitrate beds of Tarapaca
tempted his cupidity. They were the prop
erty of the state. but if he could juggle
them into the hands of a rich syndicate, of
which he would be a member ION the
ground floor" there would be no limit to
his wealth: for the T%arapaca nitrate fields
yield So, 900, 900 even now in time of war.
and they are ine1haustible. English, Ger
man and American capital was not wanting
for such a scheme. 1t only remained for
Balmaceda to hit upon a suitable tool to
succeed him in Office. He chose his own
confidential agent and broker, Henrique
Sanfuentes, a man of no political expert
ence and less principle.
Following closely the example afforded
him by our " politicians, Balmaceda be-
gap to pave the way to Sanfuentes' cleo
ton. The civil service was debauched to
sensions we're spread in the liberal party
with a view to creating a third party to
support Sanfuentes. The president played
boldly and revealed the game. AS a result
honest men of all parties combined and an
Australian ballot law was placed in both
chambers of congress.
Bafled in the first attempt, Balmaceda
undertook q more daring maneuver. In the
beginning of last year, taking advantage of
a recess of congress, he dissolved the par
liamentary cabinet and replaced it with one
composed of his own creatures. The Chill
ian cabinet is of the English type. Its
members have seats in congress, and,
HhNuph tHay ara arroineo1 hr tho prno
ident, depend on parliamentary sup
port. When congress ~reoonvenei in
June, 1880, both the senate and the
house passed a vote of censure on the presi-
dents cabinet. Ralmaceda refused to take
notice and declared that thenceforward he
would "observe the presidential rather than
the parliamentary system of government"
In other words, he ignored the constitution
and all tho presidents of his office. Con-
gress Y 'ry properly retorted bv refusing to
authorize the collection of taxes until the
president should have appointed a cabinet
of honest men. The Chilian republic was
aname with excitement over his unprece-
denied clash of authority between the exec
utive and legislative branches of the gov
eminent. just at this juncture news of the
deposition of the swindler, usurper Celman
in Argentina reached Valparaiso. and Bal
maceda, alarmed by the suggestive analogy,
made a feint OF yielding. He called on the
oAANA JNSSASS ~ = SAS . So'Ao " ath
mon a new cabinet.
1t was only q feint. Congress declared
itself satisfied and calm was restored to the
country. Two months later, when conf
dence had been generally restored, Balma-
ceda compelled the new ministry to resign
and dissolved congress-, which had only just
commenced in extra session to pass appro-
priation bills and fix the strength of the
army and navy for 1891. The president
also named another cabinet as offensive to
the congress and ~subservient to himgelf as
his first.
The cutlery which arose against these des-
potic acts took the very moderate form of
the appointment of a committee of ssna-
tors and representatives, who repeatedly
called on Balmaceda to resummon congress.
The president refused and Chill was thus
left without a constitutional government.
Thu Gillian constitution provides that
''only by virtue of a law is it permissible to
fix annually the strength of the army and
navy or the expenses of the government
There was no congress-; there could be no
lawful appropriation. Nevertheless, on the
first of January last Balmaceda issued a
proclamation in which he said:
III count on the support of the army and
navy, who know that | am their constitu-
tional chief and that they are essentially
obedient forces that cannot deliberate"
The supreme court of Chilli at once de-