New-York tribune., 1901-03-03
CHILrS NEW AMBITION.

1.-THE plot thickens"-so we may say, II the
expression lie not too melOdramatic-in South
America. Chill is reaching out with vast ambi-
ton Some one once in a hapless moment called
her people the Yankees of South America" 1t
may be doubted if they like the name but appar-
emily they intent upon living up to their
conception Of its significance They have heard
that something called expansion has lately
been the order Of the day with the United
States, including naval increase and the acqui-
sition of various coaling stations and whole
islands in various parts Of the world. There
fore. of a surety the Chilians must do the same
Al any rate. the circumstantial report comes
from South America that the Chilian govern
ment intends 10 station at some Central Ameri-
can port a naval squadron comprising at least
one rOncad, one cruiser and one transport. Ii
will also negotiate with the governments of
Honduras and Salvador for the lease or pur-
chase of one of the islands in the Gulf OF Fon-
SEGA for a coaling station, and IL successful will
make that island its chief naval base in Central
American waters. Finally the story runs. Chill
is seeking TO become a joint proprietor with the
United States in the Nicaragua Canal
Such ambition is not only permissible but
laudable. provided the subject of it is able in
colloquial phrase. Ito back it up" Whether
Chill is thus able, even after her seizure of ter
ritory from Bolivia and Peru. may be open TO
doubt. There is ne question of the alertness
and energy of the Chlian people Indeed, we
may say that few of the Spanish peoples of this
hemisphere equal them in those respects The
comparatively temperate and even cool climate
Of most Of their country saves them from the
languor of the tropics, and it's mountainous con-
tour perhaps imparts to them some degree OF
the restlessness and aggressiveness which are so
often characteristic of hill dWallers Neyprthe-
less they are not numerous people, and their
resources. 1t is a little larger than Texas and
about as populous that State. That is suffi-
cient TO make il an emnentiy respectable men,
ber of the community of nations. But II can
scarcely in view of its natural limitations hope
TO keep pace with such great States as Argen-
tina and Brazil in industries and commerce.
and If IL cannot do that its efforts toward mill
tary supremacy on either land or sea must in
the end prove futile if not disastrous
There has been expressed a suspicion that
| this curious move of Chirs toward Central
America is intended TO counterbalance the deveI
opment of Perus rapidly growing port of Chin
bote, which. having important railroad connec
| tions with the interior, seems destined in the
near future 10 be the chief port on the whole
west coast for the shipment of rubber and other
products to the United States by way of the
lsthmus But IL is not easy TO see how the
maintenance Of Chilian squadron in the Gulf
of Fonseca could affect that trade. 1t could not
| interfere with Peruvian or other shipping in
nine or peace, and IL is not conceivable that a
| state or war would be provoked for the pur-
pose. Shln mas, or course, no territorial or COM
| mercial interests in Central America to call for
the protection of a fleet. and so it is difficult
to regard the reported proposal in any other