The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-19

cages to Defend Colombia From the
consequences Fee Ports for the
TWO Nations On the Pacific The
tinted states Interested IN the Matter
chile seeking Continental Power.
to~poN. Oct IL THE SrS has obtained
copies OF some important secret treaties and
agreements entered into within tho past
wear bv Chile, Colombia aad Ecuador
Rv these conventions il is sought 10 estah-
hsh a secret alliance of the three Republics
~ important feature Of one document is
that hv IL Colombia grants to Caile rights
IN he l>,hmus of Panama ia which tho
United states NAV be interested
tn" various documents are given below
In order that their scope and the trend of
Chilean diplomacy may be understood, tho
following explanations are supplied.
The war between Chile and Peru twenty
odd wears ago left several questions which
are still pending among others that Of the
ownership of the two provinces Of Tacna
and africa, which came under Chilean sway
on the understanding that after a definite
period the matter Of their permanent owner
ship should be settled.
Peru desires the matter 70 be solved
10y arbitration. Chile rejects tho proposal
and furthermore has declared in a note
presented hv Mr., koninck, when Gillian
Minister TO Bolivia, that conquest by force
If arms establishes full right of posses
sion.
When the recent Pan America Congress
~ the City of Mexico was called 70 meet
and IL became known that International
arbitration as means TO prevent war be-
tween nations would be one of the ina in
questions discussed, the subsidiary question
arose whether the principle of arbitration
should be applied to accomplished facts
and pending issues. or solely to those that
might arise after the Congress.
Chile advocated the adoption Of the prin-
ciple solely and exclusively with reference
20 future events. Peru wanted it TO be
retroactive.
VICTORY FOR CHILE.
Both nations started an active canvass
in Latin America through their diplomatic
agents to secure the adhesion Of the various
Governments 10 their views
Both during the ChilePerI war and after
" the popular and official feeling III Colombia
until very recently was distinctly pro-
Peruvian With reference to the congress
n the City of Mexico. Colombia originally
took sides with Peru.
Minister Martinez Silva. the Colombian
agent at Washington, early in 1901, in April
or May, allowed it TO become known that
In the congress Colombia would side with
Peru in advocating unlimited Arbitration.
The news caused great rejoicing in Peru.
Public meetings, notably monster one at
Lima were held in honor Of Colombia, and
Especial mission was despatched to Bogota
the capital Of Colombia.
When the Pan-American Congress met
Colombias attitude had changed. Her
representatives. voted with Chile upon
every subjcc; that came before the con-
gr,ss and appeared to be entirely con-
'roll"d by the Chilean delegates
The disappointment in Peru was as great
As tho reioicings had been. As time went
IN the relations between the Colombian
Government and the Peruvian Legation AZ
'ogota became % strained hat thePeruvian
Minister left tho country.
CoLOMBIA'S MED.
The abnormaily large concessions made
by the Colombian Government to Chile
become luteliigble Il one bears in mind
that there il a revolution in progress in
Colombia which has been aided by the
Governments II Venezuela, Ecuador and
Nicaragua inc" the end of 1899 that the
colombian eHchequ"r is not only exhaust ed
hu' desperately IN debt: that the Govern
ncnt PAPER currency decreases in value
daily
What Colombia sought was tho neu-
'ralty Of Ecuador, not only in view of tho
present revolution. but also IN case of the
var frequently spoken Of. that Colombia
j. 10 carry INTO Nicaragua after the rcvolu-
'l"n shall have been overcome. Colombia
know Of "a socra' treaty of alliance between
Nicaragua and Ecuador.
" l. also sought to obtain an ironclad
sarship for nominal price from Chile
such vessel, If cash were demanded.
would b" beyond It's reach
FREE PORTS FOR CHILE.
Besides tho Colombian votes al Mexico
a. explained, Chile obtains advan, age,
OF importance. The removal of the tariff
Tor ports Of tho two nations on the Pacific
Tor both countries is without value for
colombia, rs here is 10 Colombian produc,
mich may be imported into Chile Such
colombian products as ara obtained on the
colombian Pacific Coast are also produced
On the Peruvian coast within the tropica
Ocl' and much nearer TO Chile, thus OK.
Guiding competition, Furthermore, these
articles are of small value. But free trade
IN wheat, aour and other cereals Of tn,
temperate zone, lard sailed meats anc
20 ioglh, Is mos, valuable and Just wha,
lille is looking for.
Besides that, the right Of free passage
across the lsthnsus for arms and munition,
o' war would be a matter of vital import
anee 10 Chile in case of a war with Argentine
OF with Peru. Her ships, dominating tn,
northern Pacific south of Panama, coulc
escort any shipment of arms without fea
o. Peru, which has no navy, while tn,
argentine navy would hardly venture g,
'a' from In base Of operations.
CIuLF's AMBITION
H"h m'riusically and because Of certain
'"'',hol"s thu treaties arc Of interest e
'h" United States.
Pohtlcally they show Chile's hand busily
preparing for herself the hegemony Of thu