The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-06
SPANS TREATMENT OF WEAKER POWERS.

hibited sympathy for Peru. The Span
ish admiral was not satisfied with the ex-
plantations of Chile, and in consequence
thereof declared war against her and
blockaded her ports. The people of Peru
were so Inundated by the treaty of Pres
ident PeZet that a revolution broke out
and he was compelled to leave the coun-
try in an English ship.
The claim of Spain to the Chincha
Islands on the ground that the peace of
1924 was a mere armistice-a mere Sus-
pension of hostilities-was the most uE-
scrupulous and outrageous act that ever
was performed by one nation against
another. The public declaration of the
Spanish admiral as to the ownership of
the Chncha Islands was an ostentatious
defiance of justice and International law.
If the peace of 1924 was but a suspension
of hostilities it became the longest armis-
tice ever known in history. Over forty
years had elapsed since the armistice was
promulgated Let us look into the facts
pertaining to the struggle of 1924. The
great battle of 1924 between Spain and
Peru took place on the 9th of December
and it decided the fate of the latter 1t
took place at Ayacucha. 1t was fought
with desperation on both sides. 1t ended
with the capture of the Spanish Viceroy
and all of his officers. If such a termin-
alton of a battle can be termed merely a
suspension of hostilities it is a perver-
sion of language that no nation except
Spain would have the audacity to adj
vance.
On the sd of January, 1866, the repre-
sentatives of Chile, Peru, Bolivia and
Ecuador formed in Lima treaty of al
lance by which they united for common
defense, promising to maintain no rela-
ton with any nation that should attack
either of them. On the 18th of April, 1866,
the Spanish squadron bombarded the de-
fenseless port of Valparaiso. This act of
Spain was viewed with adherence by
every other civilized nation. Over two
thousand shot and shell were thrown into
the city and not a shot was returned.
Over ten millions of property was de-
stroyed, belonging principally to foreign
residents. A very considerable amount of
public property as well private sue
cumbed to the cannon. Every foreign
Minister and Consul protested in the
name of humanity, law and justice, but
all to no purpose. The INSCRIPTIONS and
yainglorious ambition of the Spaniards
could not be checked.
Peru refused to carry out the provi-
sions of the Pezet treaty. The Spanish
squadron bombarded Callao, and although
the place was not strongly fortified the
Spaniards, not meeting with much sue
cess, Withdrew their neet ana left the
waters of the Pacific
AS we pass in review the foregoing
facts and surrounding circumstances we
are reminded of the expression made by
one of the Queens of England in the
seventeenth century when considering
some of the laws. She exclaimed: 81 did
not know that there was such a differ
ence between the laws of God and the
laws of man.
Let us turn our attention to the clos
ing acts of the Spanish officials at the
last session of the Peace Commissioners.
The terms of peace were signed by both
parties but not without several protests
and with severe structures from Sagasta.
He declared that: Never has a civilized
nation committed such an act of vio-
lence." 1t was a broad charge against
one of the most generous and law-abid-
ing nations of the earth, and could not
have come from any man but a Spaniard.
In illustrating the Spanish character
we do not think we have overstepped the
bounds of truth and common decency;
and we might with every degree of fair
ness cite the language of the distinguished
writer, Lord Macaulay when he declared
in his portrayal of the Spanish race that
1.-TWO things delight a Spaniard-to see a
horse gored by a bull and Jew writhing
in fire.
Out of kindness for a fallen foe we
might add that his Lordship was speak
ing of the race as it existed two centuries
ago. And yet the love of the bullfight
has not ceased, though the hatred of the
Jew may have lessened
The Spanish people ought to learn by
this war with the United States two les
sons-to be more charitable to nations of
lesser power and that industry, intelli-
gence and economy bring wealth to the
people and to the nation.
FREDERIC HALL.