The Irish standard., 1898-04-09

E
Argentine. When the Argentine leaders
had succeeded in winning freedom they
listened to O'IIiggins request for help
for their neighbors on the other side Of
the lakes. Three thousand Chlleans had
already found refuge on Argentine soil.
and San Martin listened to their appeals.
Putting himself at the head of 1000
men. half OF whom were Chileans. and
with O'Higgins as second in command,
he crossed the Andes This force was
far superior to the royalist army in
Chile. to say nothing of Peru Itself. and
tho dangers and difficulties of the march
over the Andes were enormous. But
San Martin had great help In O'Hlg-
gins. The journey was like that Of
Hannibal across the Alps, and OHiggins'
strategy guided the army.
Not knowing the size Of the army the
Spaniards had allowed 1t to come through
tho passes without ascertaining its
strength. O'Higgins was ordered to
charge on the Spaniards. who were
drawn up to receive them. and the en-
thusiastic patriots carried all before
them.
. With little opposition they fought
their way to Santiago, which was ADAM
doned by the Spanish. A new junta was
formed and General OIliggins was made
supreme director. San Martin returned
to Buenos Ayres. O'IIggins rc-organ-
lied the army, and dislodged the royal
lists from the Southern provinces, which
they still held.
\ second expedition was sent from
Peru under General Osario June is, ISIS,
while San Martin. returning from Iuenos
Ayres. was advancing to Peru, O'liiS-
gins took the bull by the horns. On
Feb. II. 1915 the first anniversary of the
battle OF Charabucc. O'lIiggins formally
declared the absolute independence of
Chile after holding 4 unique piebiscite.
lie ordered that in every city two blank
books should be open for 10 days. anu
during that time all who favored i'll
dependence were to indi1o their names
in one, and those opposite in another.
Tho first were flied the negative books
wcro unsulied. O'iigsiEs declared that
tho ayes had it, and Chile was free
Slowly the royaist army advanced to
tho capital. O'llggins went to meet It.
and sudden onslaught sent The Chileans
fleeing panic strirkcn. O'lliggins vainly
attempted to rally the troops, though
himself suffering from Il wounded arm.
But ho was forced himself to retreat to
tho city and was again made dictator.
All tho efforts of the patriots were Ill
rected to a reorganization of the army.
and with the aid of San Martin, who
now joined tho patriots, 1t was deter
mined to drive the Spaniards from the
country. Tho patriots of Santiago. in
answer to O'Higgins' appeal for funds,
subscribed money, plate and jewels for
the cause, and 1880 infantry and 500
cavalry were raised and newly clothed
and we'll armed.
They met Osario at Maypo on April 3,
and tho battle ragged for three days. the
contendng forces wero evenly matched,
and until its close tho advantage seemed
to be with Osario, but Col. O'l'rien, a
gallant freshman. who commanded
troop OF cavalry, so furionsly attacked
Burga's regiment, the flower OF Osarlos
army, that 1T was routed, and that rout
disheartcncd tho Spaniards. who retreat
ed. 1t was a brilliant. decisive victory
that established Chilean independence.
and 1t paved tho way for independence
of Peru.
After the battle of Maypo O'iIiggins
mado strenuous efforts to equip navy,
and IL was to his efforts that Chile's SUBJ
sequent Importance as the greatest naval
power among tho South American states
is due. He had abo licutcnants in Capt.
O'Bricn, a former lieutenant in the Brit
ish navy; Blanco Enclado, who had been
in tho Spanish navy, and Captains Will
kinson and lIgginson, two North Am"rl-
cans They bought merchant ships ar
irving at Valparaiso and mounted them
with artillery guns
With this imprpviscd naval force Chile
contcndcd against the Spanish iieet,
which was conveying transports with
we'll equipped troops. batse was
fought off Valparaiso and the Chilenns
won. ending the naval power of Spain In
tho Pacific Chile's navy was aftcrward
ready to rrpcl any attack by spain on
any of the colonies, and Spain's power
weakened.
With peace camo O'Iliggins chance TO
show his craftsmanship. Realizing that
Chile. with her enormous seacoast must
depend upon a navy, he built one. Six
ships captured from Spain were added,
and other ships were bought In England.
One of tho captured ships was named
O'Hlrgins. and 1t rendered good service
in tho Peruvian war Of independence.
During O'Higgins' administration Chile
was tho most pacific OF tho South Ameri-
can states, and to his wise example has
been due the comparative freedom Of the
country from internal discussions He
! reformed tho fragrant abuses previously
prevalent. and otllcchoding was no
| longer a means Of fleeing the people.
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