The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-29
THE POWERS AND CHILL.
i Il Probable European Govern
ments Will Establish a South
ern Protectorate?
Billions Of English and Continental
Capital Invested and Bond
holders Rampant.
viii Uncle Sam Avoid Roth Scylla and
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Trick May
De Played Again.
What is in preparation off the coast of

&c AAWy0M again..
What is in preparation off the coast o.
Chill?
1t looks like a European naval demon
stration, similar to that which caused sucl
great changes in the conduct of Egyptian
affairs only a few years ago.
Such a demonstration has been probable
not to say certain. ever since the troubles
in the Argentine republic last year. sayl
the New York Journal.
This trouble for the first time, and i'll the
most pressing manner, called the attention
Of the great numbers Of European investors
in South American securities of various
kinds to the fact that their property is not
secure at all.
London and Paris are filled with issues of
these Gillian, Argentine and Peruvian
stocks which have been 10 recklessly specu-
lated in for the last few yers. If the exact
number of persons who have invested in
Argentina, for example, could be known, it
would scarcely be credited in this country.
It is estimated that nearly ST. 900, ooo, oco of
European capital was wiped out by the col
yAnHe OF Ju6 OOutG AUuSIlCdu DUoH ldSJ
autumn.
When so eminently conservative an au-
thority as Baron Bleichroder, the German
banker, expresses his opinion that many
millions of people in Europe have their all
invested in South American securities, the
public may Judge what a current Of popu-
lar interest is forced on every movement,
evolutionary or conservative, in South
America.
Brazil Is happily outside OF the suspected
list. Her foreign investors are contented
With her conduct, and would never think of
aoliciting interference with her administra-
ton.
But the howl which arose in London when
the Argentina crisis came had echoes in
Paris, in Amsterdam and in the German
cities when, q little later, the effects of
the dangerous speculation were felt In the
unsteady rocking upon their bases of some
Of the strongest mercantile houses in the
world.
Added to this came another disturbing
element-the uprisal of the reciprocity doc
trine of the United States and it's vigorous
application. 1t was recognized that Uncle
Sam had at last determined to secure his
share of the trade of the southern half of
the continent, and it a felt that after he
had secured his half he would make a des-
perate effort to get the whole.
1t will be remembered that the echoes of
criticism on the Mckinley bills passage
had hardly died away before the talk OF a
:" manifestation" began in European
circles.
Laughed at at first. 1t now seems to
have become a reality, and the CHILEAN
revolt is likely to furnish the pretext
for it.
A careful examination of the subject will
reveal a curious analogy between the
procedure of the powers in front of Alex
andria, Egypt, in 1882, and of lquiuue,
Chill, in 1891.
Agreat feet is assembling composed of
war-ships of the principal powers, just as a
feet assembled at Alexandria. 1t is not
coming together with a view to putting
down the insurgents or specially aiding the
present established government in Chilli.
England and France look with sympathy
they are less hostile to foreigners than
Balmaceda and his government. but they
do not want to elevate them above Balma-
ceda.
1t looks as if they wished a convenient
prete1t for making q joint occupation OF
~jective point in South America. Or to put
it more exactly, it appears as If England
might propose a joint occupation after the
posing by the fleet OF some ultimatum
which would be equally unacceptable to the
Balmaceda government and the insurgents.
All remember how it was lone at Alexan-
dria. In the interests of the foreign bond.
holders the combined powers had to inter
fers, by means of their fleet, to re-es
tablish order. And when it came to Blow
the English admiral said to the French ad.
miral: Grange upyour ships alongside min
and help mi in the bombardment."
"Oh, no! we couldn't do thatI' said the
L.4-~A l. ~-~-,II h~ &~0 ~yar $n.Fn
encco;" and SO they turned around and
sailed away.
This was just exactly what John Bul
wanted. No sooner were the French gone
than he trained his guns Oh Alexandria
whore the rebels had refused to accept hi
ultimatum; made mincemeat of the place
and then went in and possessed the land.
And he is there yet.
The French have repeatedly asked him t
come out, and have even threatened him
but he whistles the Battle of the Nile
and keeps on occupying Egypt. 1t viii
soon be ten years inc he stepped in IN,
took possession.
interested in South American trade repre-
sented by the Pacific s~quadron-and the
have some very large ones-presently as
Uncle Sam to join the manifestation j
the bay of Iquique. Then will come a cru
oial moment, and a decision must be takel
when Will AWAKEN great discussion an
variety of opinion in this country.
Suppose that Uncle Sam declines to ioi
in a manifestation in which England
France and Germany are represented b
their fleets, and by their admiraIs, to whor
they have given a wide range of power
Then England, France and Germany wi
be in a position to say-as we said at Alex
andria-"Oh, we'll, if you refuse to under
take joint action in the interests of ~civiliz,
ton, then we are free to do as re please
and SO we think we will set up a joint pro
lection over Chill, the Argentine Republ
and a few other countries, for we reall
must protect our bondholders, don't yo
know?"
What will be Uncle Sans position then
In his endeavor to avoid n entanglemal
with European matters he will have steppe
sauarely into the meshes of another. Fc
he cannot permit the occupation, in tt
Angl0-Egvptian manner, of Chilli or al
other South American country. The nj
sembling of the international feet wi
have eager spectators on both sides of ii
Atlantic ocean. They will be the million
Of European investors of whom Bare
2leichroder has spoken, and the 60,000,U
of North Americans who don't wish to q
tangled up. but, by Jingo!if they do they,
got the men, they're getting ships, they
got the money, too.
SILVER TN ATARAMA