The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1901-01-13

11ElCAL GILLIAN HOiSSEMAN.
here now than before the Spanish
American war. But even with that
short and decisive contest in mind
no true Chilean will admit that he
has anything to be afraid of. In the
extremely improbable event of the
espousal of Bolivia's cause by the
United States of America. 3
To understand the cause Of the trou-
bic between Chile and Bolivia 1t is
necessary to go back several years and
to consider also the relations of Chile
and Peru. The Chileans, who are
known as the Yankees of South Amer
ica." are an aggressive race and ever
willing and anxious to extend their
borders by fair means If possible or by
menace if not. Their doctrine has ever
been the time bOnOred one that they
Should take who have the power. and
they should keep who can" Long ago
they decided upon an extension to the
north. and in the wars arising out OF
the boundary dispute with Bolivia, in
which Peru, from self interest aud fear
of the growing power Of Chile, took
part with the former. the cntcrpriSing
Chilcans took possession of the Peru
Wan provinces of Tacna and AFRICA
I'm the wars which ended In 1881 the
Chilcans. who are first class lighting
men" were completely successful. The
treaty Of peace stipulated that Tacna
and Africa the Peruvian lands. should
remain in Chilean hands for ten years.
At the expiration of the specified time.
which arrived in 1894. Il plebiscite OF
the Inhabitants Of the two provinces
was to bc taken. and if they decided to
remain with Peru war indemnity OF
$i0.O00000 was to be paid to Chile.
But IN 1891 the disturbed condition OF
Pcru prevented the plcbiScitc, aud the
territory remained Chilean. Peru is
now unable TO pay the money. but is
unwilling to give up the territory.
Chile is willing to give up the money.
however. if Peru will ccdc the two
provinces to Bolivia. but this Peru will
not do, since in either ease she will
lose all hope of recovering the land.
Chile is not willing to have Bolivia
obtain the bone of contention ont Of
sheer generosity. Far from it, BO-
livia aud Chile have dispute of their
own. a sort of side issue. as il were.
During the war between Peru and Boz
livia on the ono side aud Chile on the
other Chile occupied and held the Bo-
livian territory Of AntOfogasta, which
she has continued to do. but it has
never been formally coded to Chile and
remains the legal property Of Bolivia,
although her hopes of ever recovering
it are far from bright. This land con
tains the enormously valuable nitrate
deposits from which large share OF
Chilc's revenues are obtained.
Bolivia is now. with the single ex-
ceptiOn of Paraguay, the only South
American country without u seaport,
and she wants and needs one badly.
Should she Obtain Tacna and africa the
seaport Of africa would be hers. b.
liviA is willing to cedc AntOfogaSta to
Chile in exchange for Tacna ana africa,
and this is the most probable settle
ment of the three cOrnercd dispute, for
Bolivia aud Chile can both afford to
however, quite complicated situation,
and more than once before this slighter
causes have set the volatile and hot
blooded South Americans flying at one
anOiher's threats.
If Bolivia has appealed or will appeal
TO Uncle Sam TO side with her against
Chile. the ground of her appeal is prob
ably not merely to ask the United
States TO compel Chile to cede TO her a
EeaportaOr the conquered provinces, but
far greater one Chile has been both
hated and feared 10y the other South
American countries since the conclu-
sion OF the war. Her arrogant attitude,
together with her commercial suprem-
acy. has raised in their minds the
seemingly well grounded fear that she
intends to absorb as much of their ter
ritory as she feels the power to hold. !,
FRANCIS Y. HIGGINS. 4