The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-02
ACRE DISPUTE May CAUSE war
BRAZIL DEMANDS OCCUPATION
or THE WHOLE TERRITORi.

Previously Demanded Only One.'hird Of u
-Ro,,yIs, Fearful That Refusal NJ
the Demands May Lead 10 war. May
Appeal 10 is to Use Our Good Omces.
WARRINGTON. March 1T Is understood
that the Bolivian Government Will appeal
10 the United States Government TO use It's
rood offices 10 prevent war between bo-
livia and Brazil over the Acre territorial
dispute When Brazil first demanded that
its troops be permitted to occupy pro-
visionally part OF the valuable area in con-
troversy a similar appeal was made to
the United States, and Secretary Hay made
inquiry of the Brazilian Government 10
ascertain whether il would be willing TO
accept the friendly services OF this country
for the purpose Of securing the mainten-
ance Of peace in South America.
Brazil declined TO permit any outside
interference whatever in her troubles with
her smaller nei ghbor and Mr.. Hay was
Obliged to inform the Bolivian Minister in
Washington that he could take no further
action. After that Bolivia agreed TO the
provisional occupation Of the section de-
handed Brazil has now increased its de-
mands. and Bolivia, feeling that refusal
on her part will cause the invasion OF her
own territory by Brazilian troops, looks
10 the Government OF the United States
az her only salvation in the present crisis
II was learned to-day that the addi-
tiona demand OF Brazil was no, merely
for the provisional possession OF another
third OF the Acre territory, as stated IN
the Washington despatch printed in THK
Sun this morning, but for the entire remain
ing area Of the disputed region. The
original demand OF Brazil was that she be
permitted 10 occupy 1900 square miles
or about one-third OF the Acre country.
pending a settlement by Arbitration OF the
controversy.
She now demands that the entire 10000
square miles embraced in Acre be turned
over to the Brazilian Government under
the conditions made when the previous de-
mand vas acceded to by Bolivia. This
information was confirmed tonight by
S,npr Fernando F.. Guachalla. the Min
lister Of Bolivia.
Il. il true" he was asked. that the pre-
tensions Of Brazil have increased, and
that she has demanded the occupation oil
the whole Of the Acre territory!
Yes. said the Minister, from my official
advices I understand that Brazil has de-
manded the provisional occupation OF the
whole Of the Acre TERRITORY.
The trouble between Brazil and Bolivia
over the ownership Oh lnr htIt Icsio'
became acute whenvBoivia granted con.
cession TO a syndicate of Americans and
Englishmon 10 exploit portion OF the
region containing extensive forests OF
rubber trees Brazil disputed Bolivia's
right to do this and adopted measures
which placed an embargo on the exporta-
ton Of crude rubber from the region in
which the syndicate was operating.
An offer has now been made by Brazil
IN the syndicate to pay il an indemnity
of lieo 900 in full settlement OF all the
rights conferred upon 1t by the Bolivian
concession. Sir Martin Conway, the head
OF the syndicate, is now on his way to this
country from England for the purpose
OF consulting with his American associates
in regard 70 Rrazil's pecuniary offer.
II Is claimed that the syndicate cannot
dispose Of it's rights TO Brazil. for the reason
that there is an expressed stipulation IN
the Bolivian Constitution that the con-
cession cannot I've transferred TO any foreign
Government without the authority OF the
Bolivian Congress
Adyices received here show that there
was no formal agreement between Brazil
| and Bolivia that the territorial dispute
should be submitted 10 the arbitration OF
The Hague tribunal. Brazil merely gave
assurances 10 Bolivia that she would be
willing 70 have The Hague court arbitrate
the boundary controversy.
These assurances have not. however
been Incorporated in formal treaty,
and there IL a suspicion that Brazil has no
intention Of taking any chances OF being
Obliged to surrender the region into which
she Is sending her troops.