New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-22
CHILL.
THE FORTUNES OF A SOUTH AMERICAN
STATE.
TEMPERATE CHILE. A Progressive Spain. By
W. Anderson Smith. 16rno PIP. x, 399. The Mac
milan Company.

TEMPERATE CHILE. A Progressive Spain. By
W. Anderson Smith 16mo PIP. x, 399. The Mac
milan Company
Mr. W. Anderson Smith has studied Chill with
a certain sympathy with understanding of
the conditions prevailing there based on close
observation. Yet even he cannot permit the
title Of THE English Of the Pacific" to be
claimed by the Chilians unchanenged. His point
Of view is English-it is that of what he mod
estly terms the worldwide nation, that has
been the apostle Of honesty, cleanliness and
truth" Still, he is disposed to admit that the
Chans do represent the English in some Of
our most marked and valuable characteristics"
The title was given the inhabitants of that
long and narrow strip of Western South Ameri-
can coast because Of their conservative and
law abiding conduct and the fact that they had
always selected honorable men to represent and
govern them Whether most or any of these
things hold true in these days, Mr.. Smiths book
gives good reason TO doubt At any rate, it
discIoses how very thin is the veneer that as
yet conceals barbarism in Chilli, as well as GER
tain disintegratlng tendencies that have been
at work there since the conquest Of Peru A
TOO rapid national expansion and a too sudden
acquisition Of national wealth by this conquest
have brought decentralization into the political
and social life Of the country. Mr.. Smith has
put down a record of considerable travel and
observation both in cities and in the country and
has given, not only picturesque and readable
but what is on the face Of ii a sincere and well
considered, account Of what he saw
Chill, in fact, did not have a fair beginning
as a republic. She inherited the ways and tradf-
tons Of centuries of autocratic and corrupt rule
The of republic was but veil for the
continuance Of the old ways in which the
oligarchy and the priesthood had the upper
hand. The masses were ignorant and turbu-
lent, and though now. after fifty years Of
struggle, fairly progressive system of educa-
ton IS maintained, the official class is without
training or capacity. and with an apparently
diminishing sense Of official honor. The wealth
seized from Peru wei the confidence in
their lighting powers gained as a result OF the
war. have both wrought evil. When our
Budget was under 100000 we were a poor
but honest and hard working people" said a
Gillian Senator TO Mr. Smith; now it is only
under SS0.OO0O00 we are neither honest nor
hard working" Chill is, indeed in danger of
becoming a nation Of swashbuckling freebooters
ready TO seize her neighbors goods instead of
developing her own national resources.
Fortunately there is a restraining and modify
ing influence visible in the growing centres OF
population where the educated classes are in
creasng in far greater ratio than the ignorant
The reason given for this by Mr.. Smith has a
queer sound-it is that the lower classes are
being continually killed off by their homicidal
tendencies. which the authorities allow to &c
unchecked, thus leaving the better element q
chance TO outstrip them in numbers and in.