The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-05


Lon IN Southern Peru, By which the
provinces Of Taena and Ariea will De
handed over to Peru without the formaiisy
Of an election s. soon as the government
OF Pierioa il established ~ Lima.
Ii will be remembered that by the treaty
which closed the disastrous war Of ls7s-so
these rich and important provinces were
placed In the keeping Of Chile for the
PERIOD Of ten years. with the agreement
that ~ the end Of that period the people
OF the provinces would be permitted to de-
eide for themselves 10 which country
they desired the provinces to belong. The
election 10 decide this i'm portant question
has not yet been held, and it has generally
been regarded as matter Of course that
Chile wo1ld continue TO hold Tacna
aud africa, with the consent Of their In
habitanfs, IL possible. and otherwise by
force. Nor does the alleged treaty with
Pierloa, even if its terms are as stated,
render it at ell probable that Chile viii
ever relax its grasp upon the provinces,
unless il be in order TO close its grasp on
ell Peru.
The uitimate object Of Chile is to con-
troll all the western portion OF the South
American continent. leaving the east TO
be divided between Brazil and Argentina.
Chilean diplomacy keeps this object IN
view as steadily as Russian diplomacy
keeps in view the ultimate possession by
Russia Of Constantinople and the Balkan
peninsula. OF course, the realization OF
this hope depends upon the snnihiiation
Of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, and the alb
sorption of those countries by Chile is re-
garded by chileans as a certainty of the
not remote future.
In recent years Chilean dipiomatists have
striven to obtain preponderatiug iniu-
ence in the governments OF Peru and
Bolivia, well knowing that, with these
countries once undone, Ecuador. weak
and poverty stricken. would become an
easy victim. They have thus far been
foiled In their efforts to obtain this intiu-
ence in Peru by the intense and uncom-
promising hostility to Chile which per-
vades all classes in that country. In Bolivia
their pathway has been blocked with equal
effectiveness by the Nationalist party,
which, under the adroit leadership OF
Mariana Baptista, a statesman Of very
great ability. has steadiastly refused the
advances of Chile and has stood like rock
for Bolivian nationality.
Thus baked both in Peru and IN Bolivia,
the Chileans some eighteen months ago
conceived the idea OF subverting the two
governments and erecting in their stead
others which would be more friendly TO
the designs of Chile. They relied for sue
cess in this undertaking upon the secret
but substantial assistance which they
could render the revolutionary move
ments. upon the natural proneness of the
South Americans to revolution. ana upon
securing the support of leaders sufficiently
prominent to attract following in their
own countries and sufficiently base to be-
tray those countries to Chile.
Unfortunately there were two men avail
able for this purpose. These were Gen.
Hilarion Daza. Bolivian. and Nicolas
rlerola, Peruvian. Each had been pres
ident of his country. Both were exiles In
Europe. Either could be relied upon &c
become the plant tool of anybody able &c
supply him with wealth and to help him
back To power. Both prepared to return
TO South America at about the same time,
and IL was an open secret that both had
assurances Of sympathy and support from
Chile.
Daza was n rude and unlettered soldier
without soldiers honor. lie becams
president of Bolivia in 1875, through 4
revolution. and aed to Europe in 1879
after having shamefully betrayed his coun
try during the war with Chile lie re
turned 10 South America. bat the mani
festations OF the popular hatred felt toward
him IN Bolivia were so marked elat b,
long hesitated TO enter that country. Ill,
fingered at Arequipa. Peru, until las
February, when he finally crossed th,
Bolivian border. On February p. how
ever. he was arrested at Uyuni, a station
on the railroad from Antofagasta to oruro
add on the following night he was assassi
mated while prisoner.
pierola. unlike Daza. is not q soldier
| lie is = selfish and cunning politician
| the Peruvian government without success
/ lie was finally exilsd from the country
/ bat be returned In lssi. and. amid the dis
/ order consequent upon the overwhelming
/ defeat of Peru by Chile. he succeeded ii
/ making himself dictator. His administra
/ t..n ~ a.. .ss,.sr,, ,evs 49, hasrav.- a..
/ competent and corrupt and he was sooI
again an exile. For years he has plotte,
1 fruitiessly against Peru, but never unit
/ now has be yeatured ia retarn 70 tina
/ country. Though in exile he offered him
4 self as a candidate for the presidency
bat WAS able 70 secure only an incon
siderable support. II is now reporte,
! that he has established revoluuonar,
| government AZ some point in Southsrl
! Peru.
liz Is act ineonceivahls that Chile Ia
made sish PierolA the treaty in question.
/ Tacna and africa would be bride which
few PsruviAns would refuse. and with th
announcement that chile viii surFsnae
| them 10 a government headed by Pleriea
J g IS not improbable thai strong Fsvola
iionary movement in his behalf may tax
/ place. HIS success, however. wegld b.
/ fatal Tor Peru, fer - president Of tha
! country Pisrola woaid Re nothing NOR
than the representative of Chiss. which il
It's own good time would proceed 10 81
/ soro Peru. TaenA, Arlsa and al.
The death Of nAss has snqaestionahl,
/ disarraueet the Chilean mans hsss IL !