Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-06
CHILE AND BOLIVIA.
Correspondence In Regard to CesaiOn
of the Bolivian LittOral.

Correspondence In Regard to Cesai0n
of the Bolivian LittOral.
The text Of the recent correspondence in
regard to the long standing dispute between
Bolivia and Chile over the definite ces-
sion Of the Bolivian littoral shows that
Chile's note to Bolivia contains a minute
explanation of the final bases for peace ac
cepted by the Chilean government, and sets
forth that that government will grant to
Bolivia. in exchange for a final waving Of
all claims to the littoral, three compensa-
lions. viz. first. to pay all obligations con-
tracted by the Bolivian government with
the mining enterprises at Huanchaca. Coro-
coro and Oruro and the balance Of the Boz
Hv1an loan contracted in Chile in 1867; sec
ond. an amount OF money to be fixed by
mutual agreement for the construction Of a
railroad connecting any port on the Chilean
coast with the interior of Bolivia, or else
to extend the present Oruro railway; and
third. to grant free transit for all products
and merchandise passing into and out of
Bolivia through the ports referred to.
Although by the letter of this agreement
Chile Is disposed to grant Bolivia a port
on her own coast, it is set forth that q
number of contingencies preclude a grant
of that sort. The final disposition of the
provinces OF Tacna and Africa long in dis
pute between Chile and Peru has not been
settled. and should Chile acquire the prov
inces. 1t is pointed out that she could not
maintain her sovereignty over them, should
the only port deserving Of the name, africa.
be coded to Bolivia. No other port offers,
1t is stated. along the entire Chilean coast,
and thus Chile is forced, despite good in
tentions. to refuse this second proposal of
the Bolivian government. Bolivia's I'M
peratfye need for a port on the Pacific Is
also strongly questioned, and Chile is stat
ed to be interposng no obstacle whatever
to Bolivias free communication with the
sea. Her products are taken by railway
through Chile to free ports on the coast,
and thus enjoy all the advantages that
would be furnished by port Of her own.
Finally it is stated that Bolivia has no
right to demand port as compensation for
her Httora1 inaSmuch as Chile took and
holds this territory by the supreme right
of victory. Therefore, 1t is held. Chile owes
nothing. is bound to nothing and the other
concessions are held to be sufficient COM
pensaton for Bolivia
The reply OF Bolivia explains the reasons
IL justification of her demand for a port
on the Pacific For free and Independent
political and commercial intercourse with
the rest of the world, for the better service
of her customs facilities and for compiete
independence of the will of any other state
Bolivia is stated to be in dire need of a
port of her own. The surrender of the lit
toral after the Chilean-Bolivian hostilities
Is stated as not to have been unconditional,
and that no definite cession of ownership,
II is said, was ever made by Bolivia
The 1ittoral In question is a rich belt of
land with revenues amounting to 81 SOC. 900
last year, a population of 81, 600 inha bitants
mineral wealth, representing an estimated
value of a hundred million dollars. The
settlement of the controversy is in the
hands Of the Bolivian congress.