Evening star., 1901-12-23
ASKS ENGLAND TO ARBITRATE.
Argentina Ready to Refer Dispute
With Chile There.

LONDON, December 23.-Commenting on
the Argentina-Chile trouble and the ref
erence Of the matter by Argentina to Great
Britain, the Times today declares that the
duty of preserving peace belongs no less
to the United States than to Great Britain.
The Times also says that a word from
the United States, or even a strong intim-
alton of the opinion of the American peo-
pie or government, which would assuredly
be strongly supported from London, would
almost certainly ensure a pacific settlement
of the difficulty.
The Times says: I'VE can hardly doubt
but that In some shape or other that word
will be spoken"
A dispatch from Buenos Ayres yesterday
says: General Mitre, president of the
boundary commission and former president
OF Argentina, Will approve the resolution
of the Argentine government TO withdraw
Senor Portela, the Argentine minister to
Chile.
The people are fiocking to the public rife
ranges. Each citizen is allowed to shoot
thirty-five cartridges from Mauser rifle
gratis. Foreign legions' Of soldiers are
being organized.
The Buenos Ayres Herald expresses its
minister to Chile, The paper does not be-
lieve this step necessarily means war. 1t
says, however, that the Argentine govern
ment could not have followed a more digni-
glowingiy Of the power and present state
OF organization of the Argentine navy.
Senior Concha Subercaseaux, the Chilean
minister here, had a conference yesterday
evening with General Roca, president or
Argentina. General Roca's demeanor to the
Chilean minister was cold, and he spoke
with energy. The conference became a lit
tie violent in character. General Roca se-
verely criticised the proceedings OF the
Chilean administration.
1t is calculated here that $4,000 men will
answer the first call for soldiers These
men are ready to undertake any duty
There is, Furthermore, a reserve of 30OU
young men to the foregoing 5000. The
energetic stand of the government is en-
Enthusiastically supported by public opinion.
A dispatch from Valparaiso yesterday
says: Senior Portela, Argentine minister
to Chile, will leave here Wednesday for
Buenos Ayres. The pending negotiations
between Argentina and Chile will probably
be continued through Secretary of Lega-
ton Blancas or be transferred to Buenos
Ayres.
The retirement of Senior Poretla has been
accepted by the public with great indiffer-
ence- Perfect tranquility continues here
A proclamation was read today through
out Chile calling out another contingent OF
the national guard.
Fears OF the imminence of hostIities be-
tween Argentina and Chile caused a slumn
In Argentine and Chilean securities on the
stock exchange today. The fall was all
round and ranged from AZ to points, and
II was dlfncult TO enect sales. Prices hard
ened slightly during the afternoon.
Advices From Minister Wilson,
Secretary Hay has received a cablegram
from United States Minister Wilson at San
tiago de Chile, confirming the report that
the resources of diplomacy had been ex-
hausted In the effort to settle the dispute
between Chile and Argentina, and that
diplomatic relations had been broken off
through the withdrawal from Chile of the
Argentine minister. Touching the proposi-
tion emanating from the Argentine side to
refer the dispute to Great Britain as an
arbitrator, the Chilean representatives
claim that this was their own original
proposition. This being the case, 1t is be-
leved that there Is way open for a peace
full adjustment of the trouble.
The first advices regarding the latest
phases came in the form Of a cipher mes
sage to Minister Merou from Mr. Alcorta.
the Argentine minister of foreign affairs of
which the following is a translation:
Argentine Minister, Washington:
Il communicate to your excellency the
fact that all efforts made by this govern
men to reach an arrangement in the dipio-
matte relations presented before the Chi
lean government since the beginning OF the
year having proved useless, after having
exhausted all the formula of an honorable
solution to both government, we have re-
solved to suspend all negotiations with
Chile and to refer the matter to his Bri-
tannic maJesty's government, without alter
Ing the state OF peace which exists with the
republic Of Chile. ALCORTA
Minister Of foreign affairs of the Argen-
tine Republic"