The San Francisco call., 1901-12-15
POWER ON SEA
WILL DETERMINE
Chile and Argentina Rely
Most Upon Their
Navies.
Ambition to Dominate Is the
Real Cause of the
Trouble.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CALL BUREAU, 14O6 G STREET, N.
W., WASHINGTON, Dec. 14-Strength on
sea will determine whether Argentina or
Chile shall be the victor in the war which
now seems imminent between these two
republics. AS during the war with Spain,
when the United States triumphed because
1t destroyed the Spanish squadrons, so In
the war Of these two South American ma
tions, the navy which is conqueror will
insure to its Government absolute su-
premacy.
The dispute between Chile and Argen-
tina Is based ostensibly upon the action
or The former Government In constructing
pathways, Argentina calls them military
roads, IN territory lying between them,
ownership to which is in dispute and it
Will be determined by the arbitration of
the King of England.
The real cause of emnity between these
two countries is the ambition of each to
acquire dominating position in South
American affairs. If Chile is the victor,
she will hold Tacna and africa and will
compel Argentina to pay such a heavy
war indemnity in botn land and money
that that country will never be able to
resume the important position in South
America which she now holds.
Prestige in the Balance.
If Argentina, on the other hand. COM
peIS Chile to sue for peace, Chile must
surrender Tacna and africa to Peru and
most to meet the demands which will be
made upon them. There will be in South
America repetition of the policy of Bis
marck toward France upon the termina-
tion of the Franco-Prussian war.
Upon declaration of war Chile and
Argentina will set their troops in motion
dispute. A decisive battle between land
forces is impossible, for the reason that
the physical conditions prohibit military
movement until complete arrangements
have been n9dQ for pffQNtfURIU wing
the invading forces. The territory in dis
pute is penetrated by range of the Andes
Mountains, the passes of which are closed
by snow during the winter season. The
spring season is now well advanced and
military operations can be prosecuted
without regard to weather conditions. By
May, however, unless an invader has
effectually destroyed all organized resist
ance and is able to live off the country
which he has entered he must return to
his base of supplies. otherwise the passes
of the mountains will be closed and he
will be at the mercy Of the defenders.
Armies of the Republics.
Argentina has well-drilled standing
army of 92S7 officers and men. In time
Guard of Al, ,912 men. Chile has regular
army, one of the most effective for it's
size in the world. of 5000 men. She also
has a National Guard, the total number
of men enrolled in which is 521, ,947. While
ChileS enrolled strength is greater than
that of Argentina, the latter country has
a larger population upon which to draw.
It is the purpose of Argentina, immedi-
ately upon the outbreak of war, to order
her feet to proceed through the straits
of Magellan 20 the Pacific Ocean and
there give battle to the Chilean fleet
which will be in waiting.
One unfamiliar with the situation might
regard it as possible for the Chileans to
sink the Argentina fleet as it passed
through the straits, but those straits are
neutral by agreement between Chile and
Argentina and by declaration of the
United States. This Government will not
tolerate any act which would affect Amer
lean commerce using that waterway.