The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-24
ARGENTINE is READY
PREPARED FOR WAR, BUT PRE-
FERS PEACE.
A VERY EXPENSIVE BUSINESS.
STANDING ARMIES WOULD BANK
RUPT BOTH NATIONS.

britain Has Not Yet Received the
Request to Arbitrate-She Already
Has the Boundary Dispute on
Hand-Present Quarrel Arises
Over the Proposed Construction
of Roads by Chill Through the
Territory in Dispute.
Buenos Ayres, Dec. %, via. Galveston.
The patriotic demonstrations grow
ing out of the possibility of war with
Chill We're renewed here to-day.
The Pals says the interruption in the
relations between the two countries
as they are moblizing their reserves
and could not afford to release them
from being under arms as long as dip
lomatic relations are interrupted.
Therefore, this state of affairs cannot
be prolonged, as, otherwise, both coun-
tries would be uselessly ruined, in
which case the arbitration of friend
ly nation would be unable to remedy
the evil done and would only be able
to find a palliative for it, 1t was pos
sible some time ago to submit the
whole matter to arbitration, but such
course is now impossible The de-
cision of the arbitrator could not be
given before two more years have
elapsed and the countries could not re-
main all that time on war footing.
Therefore, a radical solution of the
question is necessary.
Continuing, the Pals advises the Ar
gentine government to invite Chill to
accept direct and immediate arrange
ment or be prepared for war.
The British minister here Sir w. a.
c. harrington, had a long conference
laSg evening with President Roca
The Argentine fleet, divided into four
divisions, will take part in extensive
maneuvers next month. The two prin-
cipal divisions are ready to put to sea
at the first signal.
Col Pablo Riccheri, the minister of
war, has informed President Roca that
he has available 600 locomotives and
1000 cars, and that on forty eight hours
notice he can transport $4,000 men to
the frontier.
1t is estimated that the maintenance
of the army which win be mobilized by
Feb. & will involve an annual expendi-
ture of 65,000,00 piastres.
About 5000 men have already sign
~ Wis VI @AAC - fOluit-
teer legion. u
A dispatch from Santiago says Pres
ident Riesco has declared that the re-
call of the Argentine minister, Senior
Portela, from that capital, cannot have
any serious consequences, adding that
the minister, in returning to Argentina,
is taking advantage of leave of abb
sence which has been granted him by
his government.
President Riesco continues conf
dent that the negotiations in progress
will shortly result in a pacific solution
of the problem now engrossing the at
tention of statesmen of Argentina and
Chilli.
Argentine's Desire for Peace.
During the conference between Presi-
dent Roca and Sir w. A. c.. harrington,
the president of Argentina laid especial
stress upon the efforts made by Argen-
tian to secure an amicable settlement
of the trouble, as we'll as upon the
craftiness, he asserted, Chill had en-
ployed in order to avoid arriving at
such a settlement The British minis
ter will send a detailed report of these
circumstances to mis- home government
The newspapers published here as
sure their readers that several Pow
ers stand ready to offer their good
offices to mediate the difficulty, but
lAioI al QOCo llOI COilSlueI lndL
the moment has vet arrived either for
accepting or refusing such offers.
ChiIian Minister to Leave.
Buenos Ayres, Dec. 23.-According to
the Tribuna, Senior Concha Subercas-
eaux, the Chilian minister, viii leave
here for Chill on Jan. 1, and the Sec
retary of the Chilian legation, Senior
Errazuriz will remain in charge of
Chilrs interests.
Senior Subercaseaux conferred for two
hours this morning with DR.. Quirno
Costa, vice president of Argentina, and
DIR. Amancio Alcorta, the minister of
foreign affairs. After this conference
Senores Costa and Alcorta went to see
President Roca.