Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-01-07

1t seems to be generally expected that the
new Gillian government will make due
rcparation to the United States for the un-
authorized acts committed against citizens
of this country. The elegant dinner party
which the Chlian minister at WASHINGTON
recently gave TO Secretary and Mrs.
Blaine doesn't look as though the unpleas-
antress had struck very deep. The Ameri-
can people DO not want war with any
country, however small, and there is good
reason to believe that the people Of Chill
desire little peace after tina recent up
heavals there. The stories to the contrary
have mainly come by way OF London and
for this reason have ri q ty been taken with
several grains of salt.
Our navy depar tment has OF late been
busy but it should be remembered that the
very commendable plan of getting ready for
an emergency does not necessarily mean
that that emergency will arise. In spite of
these active preparations, a study OF our
naval resources, 1t seems to us, will lead
person who is not biased by feelings OF ma
tional pride to question whether this coun-
try is yet in a position to successfully carry
on n war with the South American repub-
lie. Valparaiso is 5000 miles from San
Francisco and ~, 900 miles from New York.
These two cities must he our principal
coaling and supply stations in case
OF war a blockade of Chilis coast is out
Of the question unless we have one or two
coaling stations. Coquinbo and Pinto Ar
renas are the best two places for thia pur-
pose. The former is the same distance from
San Francisco as is Valparaiso, while Pinto
Arenas is 1000 miles nearer New York.
We have the Charleston, Baltimore, San
Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, New
orI, Philadelphia, Bennington, Concord
and Norktown-all good ships-but they
must have coal near at hand. To blockade
Charleston, S. c., during the rebellion and
not close the port we had thirty ships. All
sorts Of supplies could be delivered at Co
quimbo in fifty days, but even without any
Interference from Chili's navy it would be a
hard task for cur fow ships
The next question to b. considered would
bs whether we could expect any assistance
from the South American nations. We
could count, without a doubt, upon the
- AthASHlP oAA pOsSAbIJ tAc uCtlFe CD-OpeTd-
ton of Peru. The New York Press looks
at the situation in this light;
The Peruvians have more cause to detest the
Chill than the French have for their ha-
tred OF Germany. France. like Peru was com
pelled to part with portion OF her territory,
but tho Franco-Prussian war was conducted
on both sides in u civilized manner Chill, on
the other hand. iadulged in barbarous and
wanton destruction OF Peruvian property
and every Gillian victory was q scene Of
inhuman slaughter Ui the wounded, while
quarter was seldom gIycn 10 those who
surrendered. The Chilians struck not ut the
Peruvian nation alone, but ut the improve
ments that made vase places flourish and that
MADE II pofslDle for ole to live On Chills
part 1T was war OF determination as well as
conquest
The experiences Of such a struggle have not
boon forgotten In ten years Tue Peruvians
to-day have for the Chilians u detestation deep
protection on tine part OF the United States il
may he assumed that their ports would be a
our disposal and that every faculty would DO
offered to the American nset.
While the Argentines have not the same
memories as the Peruvlans to keep alive ami,
mostly toward Chill, IL 10 well known that tho
Argentiues are IN continual apprehension OF
a. the, have more than once brooked treat
ment tuat thry would not patiently bear IL in
position 70 fight. Ihe Argentine coniedera-
ton could DO depended ION to maintain neu.
Ysaty. With : decided leaning toward the
AfNpriean qAuss,
fhs sopth Americana know worry well, too.
that Chill represents Ep.lish predomi az os
the subsection of south America 10 Continual