The San Francisco call., 1901-11-03
CHILE EXPLAINS
To ARGENTINA
Says the Roads in Dis
pute Are Pathways
for Surveyors.
Belief Expressed at Washing
ton That Incident Is
Now Closed.

CALL BUREAU, 1406 G STREET, N
W., WASHINGTON, Nov. 2-If Argen-
tina and Chile engage in war, the greater
part of the South American continent will
be the scene of strife while the Congress
of Pan-American Republics for the pro-
motion Of peace is sitting in the City Of
Mexico
getting a satisfactory settlement of the
Tacna-Arica dispute, and they will un-
doubtedly press Chile should she become
involved IN hostilities with Argentina, to
comply with their wishes relative to a
settlement of this question. Failure on
the part Of Chile to do so will probably
cause them to range themselves On the
side of Argentina, even supposing they do
not in the beginning take this action.
These in brief are the probabilities in
the South American situation. Informa-
ton concerning the exact status of the
latest dispute between Argentina and
Chile Is unfortunately scarce in Washing
ton. The State Department has not heard
from its Minister in Buenos Ayres or from
its envoy in Santiago.
Chile Makes an Explanation.
Senor Del Viso, the Argentina Charge
d dAffaires, was informed four or five days
ago that his Government had received an
giving consideration. Senior Infanta, the
Chilean Charge d. Affaires, has more COM
plete advices. His cablegrams show that
Chile made an explanation and that it was
satisfactory to Argentina.
Rather than that war should take place
the United States will undoubtedly be pre-
pared, upon the request of Argentina and
Chile, to use its good offices to arrange
amicably the question that is in danger
of embrOiling those countries in strife. No
intimation has come to this Government
of any desire on the part of either Gov
ernment that President Roosevelt shall in
terfere. Senor Del Viso has not made any
representations to the State Department
regarding the boundary question, nor will
he do so without specific instructions from
his Government.
Reports of Trouble Discredited.
Senior Infanta discredits the reports of
trouble between the two Governments. He
said:
1 do not believe that there is any intention
the part of Argentina to withdraw it's rep
resentative- Advtces received at the Chilian
Legation here show that the incident is ended
Argentina asked Chile for an explanation of
the construction OF the alleged roads in the
territory the ownership Of which is now be-
ing determined by arbitration Chile explained
that the so-called roads were merely pathways
for the of surveying expeditions Both
Governments have surveyors in the disputed
region and to facilitate their work it is neces-
sary to cut paths for them. There was no
question of constructing roads. understand
that the explanation was satisfactory to Ar
gentina. and the incident was closed. Chile en-
joys very cordial relations with Argentina and
/ am satisfied that she has no desire or inten-
tion OF committing any act which might tend
to impair them.
In case of war the Argentina and Chill
can navies would be evenly matched. The
naval policies Of the two governments re-
Quire each to be as strong on the sea as
the other. Argentina has three battle
ships ranging in tonnage from 1896 to 4206
tons, against two battleships of Chile of
$500 and $500 tons respectively. Argentina
has four armored cruisers, Chile two;
Chile has five cruisers Argentina three;
Argentina has thirty-three torpedo boats
Chile has twenty-sx. In order to protect
American interests in the event Of hostil-
tiles the United States will strengthen its
South Atlantic squadron, and perhaps
form a South Pacific squadron.