The San Francisco call., 1901-12-24
ARBITRATION
UNLIKELY To
PREVENT WAR
Relations Of Argentina
and Chile Seriously
Strained.
Reference Of Dispute to Great
Britain Merely Delays
Hostilities.
Secretary Of State Hay Is Using His
Influence With the Disturbed
Republics on the Side of
Peace.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


CALL BUREAU, 140s c STREET. N.
W, WASHINGTON, Dec. 23-Chne may
follow Argentina's example and refer the
controversy between them to the King Of
England for arbitration. Even should this
action be taken, however, the relations
Of the two countries are so strained that
the authorities do not believe that war
can be averted.
The feeling in both countries is running
high and the slightest incident may pro-
woke hostilities. The conditions existing
in South America are well known to Sec
retary Hay, who has received advices
from American Ministers at Santiago and
Buenos Ayres and who was in conference
to-day with Minister AIerou, representing
Argentina, and Infante, the Chilean Charge
d'Affaires. Minister Wilson at Santiago
wired Secretary Hay to-day that he still
hopes that peace will prevail. Both dip
lomatic representatives of the South
American republics in Washington pub
licly insist that hostilities will be avoided.
At the same time it is known that their
Governments are making extensive prep
arations for war and are ready to strike
the moment they believe action is i'm
perative.
Hay Works for Peace.
It was stated at the State Department
to-day that no representations involving
action by the United States were made
to-day TO Secretary Hay. The Secretary
is using his influence, however, on the
side Of peace and is prepared to take any
action compatible with the dignity and
interests Of this country to effect a peace
fuI settlement Of the trouble.
The authorities are hopeful that the
reference Of the controversy to the King
Of England will result in the maintenance
Of peace. but it is feared that Chile will
be incensed over the arbitrary action of
Argentina and will hesitate to follow her
example.
Great Britain Is Anxious.
LONDON. Dec. 23-The British Govern
ment is watching the progress Of the dis
pute between the Chilean and Argentine
Governments with much anxiety. It was
said today that neither side has yet ap-
proached the British Foreign Office. If
both Chile and Argentina request Great
Britain to arbitrate the matters in dis
uute between them Lord Lansdowne. the
Foreign Secretary, will promptly ac-
Quiesce.
The statement Of DR.. .Alcorta, the Ar
aen+ine Minister of Foreign Affairs, that
Argentina has referred the matter to the
arbitration Of the British Government
under the agreement Of 1898, appears to
be Inaccurate for the Foreign Office says
the present contention is quite beyond the
movers Of that commission. AS the For
eign Office understands the case it is not
one relative to the boundary between the
two countries, but whether Chile has the
right to build neutral roads in the dis
puted territory. This commission, Of
which Lord MacNaughton is president,
has been sitting in London for nearly two
wears and is now almost ready to go and
personally inspect the disputed bound
aries. For various reasons, however, the
6enartrre OF this commission has been
selaved and is likely to be delayed for
some time to come.
The appeal Of DR.. Alcorta has not yet
been oficiaIly communicated to the Brit
Ssh Foreign Office
4 Public War Spirit.
? zzrrENOs AYRES, Dec. 28.-The pa
4riotic demonstrations growing out Of the
feasibility OF war with Onlle were renewed
here to-day. The Chilean Minister here,
senor Concha Subercaseaux, has not re-
ceived any instructions in regard to the
course he is to pursue.
It is estimated that the maintenance Of
the army. which will be modified by Feb
ruarv 3. will involve an annual expense Of
e 100000 piasters. About 1000 men have
already signed the rolls Of the Uruguayan
Volunteer Legion
A dispatch from Santiago says Presi-
dent Riesco has declared that the recall
Of the Argentine Minister, Senor Portel,
from that place cannot have any serious
consequences, adding that the Minister IL
returning to Argentina is taking advan-
4age Of leave Of absence which has
been granted him by his Government
President Riesco continues confident
that the negotiations in progress will
shortly result in a pacific solution Of the
.problen now engrossing the attention of
Kbe statesmen of Argentina and Chile.
Colonel Pablo Riccheri, the Minister Of
war. has informed President Roca that
he has available 600 locomotives and 1908
cars. and that on forty-eight hours no
tice he can transport $1,000 men to the
frontier.