The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-11
ARGENTINE
AND CHILE
MAY FIGHT.
These Two Countries Are
on the Verge Of
Conflict.
Invasion Of Disputed Terri
tory Is Soon to Lead Up
to Hostilities.
Ruenos Ayres Government Intends to
Start Its Fleet for the Pacific,
Where Great Naval Bat
tie Is Expected.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CALL BUREAU, 1406 G STREET, N.
W., WASHINGTON, Dec e-Decidedly
strained relations exist between Argen-
tine and Chile. The two countries are on
the verge of war. There is no question
as to the accuracy of these statements
The authority exists for making them
emphatic. In Pan-American circles not
withstanding the understanding of the
Ministers representing the two Govern
ments that an amicable arrangement will
be reached, it is generally believed that
war is unavoidable.
In this event the whole of South Ameri-
ca will be inf1amed. Argentine is conf
dent that in struggle with Chile she will
have the moral support of Paraguay and
Uruguay and the active support of Peru
and Bolivia. With such odds against the
Santiago Government it is asserted that
it will be suicidal for it to engage in war
without reference to support of any other
country. Argentine, it is learned, has
adopted a firm attitude and is insisting
upon the fullest explanation of the
Chilean invasion of territory in dispute
and now before the King of Great Britain
for arbitration.
Argentine's Minister Optimistic.
The return to-day oil Senior Don Martin
Garcia Merou, Minister of Argentine in
Washington, from tire City of Mexico.
where he has been IN attendance upon the
Pan-American Congress as the delegate of
his Government, gave rise to rumors that
the object of his visit was to request the
exercise by this Government of it's good
offices to effect settlement of the dis
pute of his country with Chile. 1t is
learned, however, that the Minister'S re-
turn has no immediate connection with
the Chilean trouble, though undoubtedly
now that he is in Washington this sub
ject will receive his careful attention
Minister Merou is very optimistic as to
the outcome of negotiations under way be-
tween his Government and Chile
my official advices, he said, "are that
the pending question in connection with
the construction by Chile of roads in the
territory in dispute between that country
and my own, which has been submitted
to the arbitration of the Government of
Great Britain, is about to be settled in an
amicable and peaceful way. The two
Governments have. exchanged views on
the subject, and as both are animated by
sentiments of good feeling and realize the
great misfortune of war. 1 am confident
they will make every possible effort to
reach a settlement mutually satisfactory
In the present situation of the world war
is a serious matter and involves great re-
sponsibility for those responsible for it's
occurrence. 1t is only natural, therefore
that both Argentine and Chile should be
endeavoring to find peaceful solutions.
do not believe the situation is as serious
as the press dispatches show, and 1 am
sure that the good relations that exist
between Chile and Argentine will con-
tinue after the cloud now on the inter
national horizon has disappeared"
( Argentine Will Start Fleet.
Senior Don Eliodoro Infante, Chilean
Charge d'Affaires, called at the State
Department to-day and met the Argentine
Minister as he was leaving. In response
to a question. Senior Infante stat
ed that he received advices three
days ago from the Chilean Min
lister for Foreign Affairs stat
ing that he could not understand the ex-
aggerated reports of the press, which
were unfounded. Senior Infante is as con-
dent as Senior Merou that a peaceful SET
tlement will be effected.
In other quarters this same confidence
does not exist. The United States has
not interfered, nor has it the slightest in
tention to do so. Before war occurs it
will tender it's good offices, and Argentine
will probably accept. Chile's attitude is
/ not as definitely known. If war occurs.
! however. it is expected that Argentine
! will Immediately set her fleet in motion
| for the Pacific, and one of the greatest
naval battles of modern times will proba-