The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-30
SEATTLE. SUNDAY. AUG. 30.
CHILE.

Chile is divided into eighteen provinces,
comprising sixty-one departments and
four territories. The legislative power is
vested in the national congress, composed
of a chamber of deputies, 1l5 members.
elected by the departments for term OF
three years and a senate, thirty-seven
members, elected for a term of SIX years
by a direct vote of the provinces. The
executive power is exercised by the presi-
dent of the republic, elected by the people
for term of five years, and not eligible to
reelection, except after an interval of one
term. A supreme court, composed of
seven magistrates appointed by the presi-
dent, is vested with the judicial power.
They reside in the capital, and their
jurisdiction extends throughout the repub-
lie. and subject to removal only upon just
cause. The capital of Chile is Santiago.
Population $4,000. The total area of
Chile is 340,179 square miles and its total
population about $780, The principal
port of Chile, Valparaiso, has population
of about 100000. The northern part of
Chile, which was the stronghold of
the recent insurgent congressional
party, includes Autofagasta and Tara
paca, and were acquired by conquest
from Peru and Bolivia. These provinces
include the nitrate district and had a
population of about IS 900 before the rup-
tura with Balmaceda. Chiles principal
exports are saltpeter, to the amount of
$30,000,0O0 annually, and minerals. The
total annual exports are about $40, 900, 900,
and the total imports about $50, 900, 900.
The annual revenue before the war was
about $50 000, 900 and the annual expendi-
lures about $47, 100000. Before the war
the Chilean navy consisted of n vessels,
as follows. Two ironclads, 1 monitor, 2
corvettes, 2 cruisers, steam transports,
frigates, 3 steam tugs and IL torpedo
boats. The number of effective seamen
and officers in the service, 1000. The
merchant marine number "a vessels of all
grades.
The regular army of the republic was
in 1888 $500, and up to that date had
never exceeded $500 men in times
of peace In 1881 there were 1900 men
in the field, and over 10000 had been en-
listed. The National Guards, liable to be
called into active service, were only %, 400.
The republic possessed 500 cannon and
100000 stand of arms. All her forts were
well fortified.
The religion is Roman Catholic, but
Professionalism is tolerated. The state
church has one archbishop, nominated by
the president and confirmed by the pope |;
also three bishops, each of whom receives
$4,000 per annum. Other revenues of the
church, in 1881, amounted to $237 $50.
The tithes. appropriated by the state since
1850, amount to about 81 10000. In VAL
paraiso and Santiago Protestant congrega-
tions sustain their own congregations.
BY the treaty of Buenos Ayres, July %,
1881, with the Argentine Republic, a part
of Patagonia and Fuego, about 5000
square miles, were annexed to Chile; the
territory of Autofagasta was ceded by Bo-
livia April IL, 1884; Tarapaca was sur
rendered by Peru October 70, 1888; the ter
ritory of Tacna remains with Chile for ten
years (until 1889, when a plebiScite is to de-
eide Wheeler il is TO revert TO Peru.
Chile declared indep endence of Spain
September 18th, 1910, which was fully Sc
cured Nav 5th 1878