The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-12-26
GENrLE ROWS.

NINhIfH" Us IfI||II htiIIIfH \ IlNN are lIl a.
chronic state of revolution or of inter-
necine warfare, and yet they do not
seem To- get uttc,ly ruined and they pay
indcmnities TO great powers when they
find they have overstepped the line
which they every now and then do
Their presidents, who are really auto
Gratis for the time being amass great
wealth, and some times manage to get
off with IL entirely, indemuifying them
selves in Paris or New York, for the
years spent in daily terror of bullet or
dagger i'm their own less favored land
At the present time there is a merry
little revolution going on in Columbia,
in which Venezuela is taking sympa-
thetic part with probably an ultimate
hope of dominating Columbia when the
affair is over, and then there is the
high probability of a war between
Argentina and Chile, with much in
favor of Chile getting the upper hand,
as she did in her last war with Peru.
1t is almost like an opera bouffe to
read the history of these republics ex-
Cept that their annals are stained with
blood and while one laughs, one is sud-
denly stricken with horror as the CORY
drops seem to well up on to the clowns
gaudy dress, just as the tragedy in
II Pagliacci is the more emphasized be-
cause it takes place among the gaily
dressed and Enthusiastically costumed
mummers.
The fighting among these Spanish
American states is of the grimmest
The story of the war between Peru and
Chile has never been properly written,
and it is doubtful if it ever will be
written. Here and there however from
some drifting soldiers of fortune who
was engaged on one side or the other,
one hears of some horrible detail which
came under their particular notice, and
the naval officers of our own and other
countries picked up considerable
amount of information Pieced together
this gives a very horrible idea of the
cruel fighting between South American
troops. The very worst traits of the
Spanish and the very worst traits of
the Indian with whom the Spanish
blood has mingled, are paramount, and
the result is cruelty and disregard for
humanity which is absolutely unknown
among the Teutonic, Anglo Saxon or
Sclav races.
What goes on in South America or
Central America would not affect ms
save in the way of general interest
were it not for the canal scheme. ON
this account we may at any time find
ourselves involved in a quarrel If is
a curious fact that the South American
Republics hate us with an undving
hatred. Throughout our war with
spain the popular feeling was ever
against us, whatever the government
officials might say. Both money and
men We're forthcoming against us. and
Ildu the battle Of Santiago not been won
III the nick Of time, the chances are
That the South American Republics and
Inc Central American Republics might
have declared themselves on the Span-
lsh side, or very substantial aid wouId
at all events have been given against
us. The sea fight settled the fate of
spain in the West Indies, as it did in
the Philippines. A long series of oper-
atoms on land would have given the
Spahlards far better fighting chance. |
and we were some distance away from
Havana at Santiago.
With this interest in the affairs of !
Central and South America it is but !
natural that we should watch carefully
what goes on there. AS long as the
continued condition of interstate ieal-
ousy continues the South American
Republics are easily managed Va bod
no ulilculty the other day in policing
with our marines and bluejackets. the
fahama railway. But we must hear
III mind that this very fact will nor he
forgotten by the Spanish-Am
ana though it may not be outwardlv
resented yet inwardly it will be.
NOW with regard to the nicaragua
canal we may make all the treaties
we IKE with the Nicaraguan govern
out that government may depart
some DAY leaving not trace behind il
save number Of corpses and one ~,
Two wealthy individuals speeding m
Europe in steam yachts or government
euhDoats. Then some dominating state
may step in, and say it does not recog-
hlze our title to the canal. threaten m
DIoW up mile or so and thus ston the
worlds traffic. OF course we sbould
0oine out on top, but in the mean time
an lhhnlty Of harm might be done i'm
porlaht works, and great injury to
commerce. Venezuela has aspirations
towards Central America, and Chile /
mas aspirations Of dominating Peru
BOLIVIA and Argentine. Some day Bra
I'll VIII take a hand outside her borders
also There are pretty POSSIBILITIES in the
southern part of the continent