The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-26
WANT TO AVOID WARS
ARBITRATION FA-
vORED BY LATIN-AMERICANS.
BeIlicose Chile the Only Republic OPP
posed to Settling Disputes With
out Recourse to Arms.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Dispatches
from Madrid received in official diplomatic
quarters here, make the first announce
ment that in the debates before the Latin
American congress, whose sessions have
just been concluded, the principle Of COM
pulsory arbitration urged by the Peruvian
delegate has been approved by almost
unanimous vote, Chile alone holding out
and protesting against the action taken.
The decision not only favors compulsory
arbi,rat ton in disputes between the Ameri-
can republics, but also provides that guar
antees shall be given for the faithful
performance of the conclusions reached by
the arbitration tribunal.
Aside from the immediate question in
volved, the decision of the congress is re-
garded in South American quarters as sig
nificant of the alignment of the southern
republics on the increasing differences
which have arisen of late and which are
threatening to bring about general crises
involving most if not all of the South
American republics. Several events have
occurred recently Indicating a widespread
movement. Peru has been making desper-
ate efforts TO regain her provinces OF
Tacna and africa, which are sort OF
border hostage held for the last ten years
by Chile. Bolivia is involved in the same
controversy, she has lost her seacoast
to Chile and is now seeking to save part of
it. The latter question was recently
brought to direct issue by the presenta-
ton of a demand from Chile, generally
construed as an ultimatum, requiring b.
livia publicly to acknowledge by treaty the
sovereignty of Chile over the seacoast in
question.
compulsory military system under which
every male citizen, on reaching the age of
nineteen years, must serve as a soldier.
This has caused widespread concern in
n. ,nxtAo l.I 0<l~1
to take steps toward similar military
equipment. Ecuador has declared it's pur-
pose of adopting system like that of
Chile and Peru, which now has only 1000
soldiers, has taken steps to have general
enlistment in its national guard. But the
chief concern has been expressed in Ar
gentina and Brazil, as il is the feeling
in those countries that the powerful arma-
ments OF Chile are not required against
such enfeebled states ePru, Bolivia,
Ecuador and the othern northern republics
but will be used against Chile's more
powerful neighbors in the south. Argen-
tine and Chile are separated by a long
boundary line which is now in dispute.
The boundary has frequently threatened
an armed conflict and each country has
been steadily increasing its armament,
land and naval.
IL is estimated by one of the most prom
country has spent about fifty million dol
lars on ornaments in the last ten years.
Brazil recently has been brought into align
ment by cordial restoration of good feel
ing with Argentina. For time they were
at loggerheads over boundary contest,
but by arbitration of the United States
the award was made In favor of Brazil,
and Argentina has heartily accepted this
result. The Presidents of Brazil and
Argentina have exchanged visits and dur
ing the stay OF President CamDos- Sale at
Buenos Ayres recently. consideration was
given TO united action on some of these
pending South American controversies
The several movements have had the
general effect of establishing a common
basis between Bolivia. Peru Argentina and
Brazil. While there suggestion thus
far that these united republics would use
force against Chile, yet IL is appreciated
that the present situation may lead TO Sc
rious results. The Chilean army is directed
by able German officers, the commander
being General kooner. a German officer
who was placed at the head Of the army
about ten years ago. Some forty other
foreign officers. chiefly German. also oc-
cupy leading places on the staff and lire.