New-York tribune., 1900-12-25
CHILL AND BOLIVIA AT ODDS.
OFFICIAL TEXT OF THE CIRCULAR LETTER
TO GILLIAN MINISTER'S ABRoAD-AN-
swER OF THE BOLIVIAN MIN
ISTER AT SANTIAGO.

washington, Dec. M-Another instalment Of docu-
usnts relative 10 the dispute between Chill and
Bolivia has Just been received and discussed IN
the diplomatic circles of the capital These docu-
rnents Of later date than the pamphlet BOLIVIA
and Chill" already commented on in washington
dispatch The Tribune Of December 4 The new
pamphlet contains the full text OF the remarkable
circular letter addressed 10 all the Chilian repre-
sentatives abroad by Sefor Errazuriz Urmaneta,
the sx-Foreign Minister at Santiago In that letter
he tries 10 explain away and 10 apologize for the
rather hard and undiplomatic language used by the
Gillian Minister at La Paz who presented kind
of ultinaturn which forbade Bolivia to insist any
longer upon the restoration of one Of her former
seaports on the Pacific as the equivalent of her
final cession TO Chill Of the inland Bolivian terri
tory occupied by the chilian conquerors in the
war Of 1873. But Sehor Urmaneta maintains
that Il the chian Minister at La Paz was un-
diplomatic n his language he was correct in de-
olartng that vanquished Bolivia could never ex-
pect TO sign definite treaty Of peace with Chill
unless she should surrender. basis Of negotia-
tions. her request for seaport necessary for her
communication with the outer world
The second part OF the pamphlet contains four
articles published in the "Ferrocarril,' Santiago
newspaper OF great Importance. which would not
have printed them If. though opposed 70 Chilian
pretensions. they had not been written in moderate
ana cOnciliatory language. Their authorship seems
70 have been an open secret and they are at
ulp2tsd 70 a distinguished olplomaflst, Senor
Claudio Pinilla. the Bolivian Minister at Santiago
where he is still at his post, highly esteemed in
social and official circles. He demonstrates, es-
peeallS IN quoting former declarations of Chilian
wEiteF5 and tunctionaries, like Sehor Bulnes
Minister OF Foreign Relations that the conditions
supposed upon Bolivia are unjustifed de facto and
oe JuFe. After that demonstration, based upon
promises made by Chill in former tentative nego-
tafions. he reminds in very guarded sentences, the
Santiago Government that its honor and reputation
before the world viii suffer If too harsh conditions
are imposed upon Bolivia. Senor Pinia shows that
me seizure Of territory by right of conquest may be
q European. but is not American doctrine; and
that BOLIVIA IS willing 10 cede portion OF her in
lano or even seacoast possessions an indemnity
for Gillian war expenses. But he adds that his
country IS IN absolute need Of e seaport, and that
justice, reciprocal convenience and the solidarity
between States compel one 10 stiie a sister
nsuon oy oepr1vlng IL totally OF the patrimonal
tegTlpo-y with which 81 came 10 a sovereign and in
dependent life. The Bolivian Hiplomatist and
writer proves with official documents that since
the conferences held of the port of africa, on
board the United States vessel Lackawanna, in 1880
when Chill did not accept the arbitration OF the
United States. Bolivia and Peru have remained
the same friends as before. and that the delays
be attributed 10 their alleged contradictory claims
senor Flnilla shows that, the contrary, il was
20 the interest OF Chilli 10 defer final settlement
50 long as she was enjoying the usufructs OF the
traneneely rich districts snatched from Bolivia and
Feru oy force OF arms. which IL was solemnly
egreec IN the diplomatic instruments Of 1883 should
be returned 10 the two VanQuished States in return
1or territorial pecuniary indemnity, which
they are ready 10 give 10 Chill