The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-11-02

There has been little interest in Chill on
the part Of Americans, although our govern
ment was mediator between the fiery little
Republic and Spain as late as 1871. Our
attitude at the time Of the war between Chill
and Peru, about ten years ago, was not
pleasing to the Chiians, and ever since that
they have regarded us with aversion. As
for ourselves, Chill has been too far off to
come In for anything more than the interest
Inspired by curiosity. Yet they are very
interesting people, and have had very in
teresting history, so far as wars are con-
cerned. The Spanish civilization of Chill
is an offspring Of that of Peru. After the
Spanish adventurer Pizarro aud his follow
ers had established Spanish authority in
Peru, and had begun the mingling of the
Spanish with the native Indian races for the
formation of the Spanish-American race of
the future. the masters Of Peru began to
look southwark to the long and narrow strip
that is now Chill. Before the Spaniard
came to Peru Chill had owed a nominal
allegiance to the native Incas of Peru; but
this allegiance was SO slight that in the first
half OF the sixteenth century the Spaniards
OF Peru were forced to war in order to ex-
tend their sway southwark. Some of the
southern tribes submitted readily, but at
least two, the Purumancians and the Arau
canians, waged most desperate warfare in
defence Of their territories Some idea of
the desperate valor of these native tribes
may be inferred from the fact that, while the
CONNECTS Oh the Spaniards with them began
IN tne middle OF the sixteenth century, they
were not entirely over in 1869, or the latter
part OF the nineteenth century. Some of the
earlier wars were disastrous to the Span
iards, who were forced more than once to
fall back upon Peru for rest and reinforce
ments. 1t seems not at all improbable that
the ierceness and martial ardor of the Chill
ians Of today may be due quite as much to
the admixture of fierce native blood as to the
qualities Inherited from the Spanish adyen-
turers who landed in Peru with Pizarro. and
after his conquest had been made. The
Spaniards governed the country until 1910.
Then began the revolution which eliminated
finally In independence. But 1t was not un-
til 1918 that the independence of the country
was finally gained. This war of indepen-
dence was most bitter and bloody. The
Spaniards have quite reputation for cru
city; and in the conduct of a.war the Chilli
ans are certainly not behind them. From
1864 to 1871 Chilli was at war with Spain ON
account Of Peru, which Spain was trying to
hold in submission. A Spanish fleet block
blockaded the Gillian coast. and Valparaiso
was bombarded. The Chilians, however
made good defence Of their coasts, and in a
memorable naval engagement in 1864 Chi.
liam gunboat bearing the famous name of Es
meralda captured the Spanish man-of. war
Covadonga The more recent war with Perm
is still remembered for the bravey and cru.
city of the Gillian soldiers. who rarely gave
quarter, and for the complete defeat of the
Peruyians. Perhaps 1t is not to be wondered
at that the Chilians think themselves inyin-
chile, since they have been fighting a good
part of their time, and have generally more
than held their own. That they rate the
power and valor OF the people of the United
States at so little shows that their frequent
wars have hindered the progress of educa-
tion and information.