The Portland daily press., 1900-11-26
FORCIBLE ARBITRATION
The Latin-Amerfcsn Congress Agrees 10
Principle.

Washington, November 26.-D,spatches
from Madrid received In Official iiplo-
matic quarters here make the first sr-
nouncement that In the debates before
the Latin-American congress, WHOSE ses-
sions have just been concluded the prin-
cipIe of compulsory arbitration urged by
the Peruvian delegates has been app-ov d
by almost unanimous vote, Chill alone
holding out and protesting against the
action taken. The discussion not only
favors compulsory arbitration In disputes
Eetween the American republics but also
provides that guarantees shall be given
for tine faithful performance OF the oon-
ciusions reached by the arbitration triDu-
nal.
4 Aside from the Immediate questions in
yolved, the decision OF the Congress is re-
Cartied in South American quarters as
significant of the alignment OF the south
ern republics on the Increasing differences
which have arisen OF late, and which are
threatening to bring about general
crisis, involving most, II not all Of the
South American countries. Several
events have occurred recently, Indicating
q widespread movement. Peru has been
making desperate efforts to regain her
provinces Of Tacna and africa, which are
a sort OF border hostage held for the last
y
tue same controversy, as she has lost her
seacoast to Chill, and Is now seeking to
save a part Of it. the latter question was
recently brought to direct issue by the
presentation OF o demand from Chill,
generally construed as an ultimatum, re-
quiring Bolivia publicly 20 acknowledge
By treaty the sovereignty of Chilli over
the seacoast in question. About month
ago Chilli adopted the compulsory mill
tary system, under which every male
citizsn on reaching the age OF ~ years
must serve as n soldier. fnis hos CAUSED
widespread concern IN South America,
and has led other countries 60 take steps
| toward similar military equipment
Ecuador has declared its purpose OF
adopting a system like that OF Chill, ana
| Peru, which now has only 200 soldiers.
has taken steps to have general enlist
ment In its national guard, But the
chief concern has been expressed in Ar
gentinA aud Brazil, and tb 10 the feeling
| In those countries that the powerful ar
maments of Chill are not required
against such enfeeblsG states AS Peru,
| Bolivia, Ecuador ana che other Northern
repu bites, but will be uEad again g Chih s
more powerful neighbors in tae south
| Argentina ana Chill are separated by o
| long boundary line, which Is now in ais
pute. The boundary has frequently threat
ened an armed conflict, ana each country
has been steadily increasing its arma-
| menu bdUu anu lhhaAf ~ ~ ~
| one OF the prominent observers In wash
| ington, that each country has spent
about $50, 900, coo on armament during the
| last ten years. Brazil recently has been
brought into the alignment by cordial
restoration Of good feeling with ATgen-
tina. For time they were opposed over
| boundary contest, but by the arbitra-
tion OF the United States the award was
made iu favor of Brazil. and Argentina
has heartily accepted the result. The
presidents Of Brazil and Argentina have
exchanged visits, ana during the stay OF
| President Campos. SALES at Buenos Ayres
recently consideration was given TO
united action on some Of these pending
South American controversies. The ssv.
eral movements have had the general
effect OF establishing a common OASIS pe-
tween Bolivia, Peru, Argentina ana
Brazil. While there Is no suggestion thus
| far that these united republics would use
| force ngainst Chill, yet IL is appreciated
| that the present situation may lead TO
| serious results. The Chilian army Is d.
rscted by able German officers, the COM
mander being General kooner, German
| officer, who was placed at the head OF the
army about ten years ago. Some Iorty
other forsign officers, chiefly German, al
SO occupy leading places on the stan and
| line