New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-10

A HISTORY OF SOUTH AMERICA. 1851 1904 BY
Charles Edmond Akers With illustrations. 8vo.
PIP 696 E. P. Dutton & Co.
Mr. Akers gives more than is promised in the
title of his book One part Of the latter is. in
deed history of South America, but the other
is a deeply studied essay on the actual condi-
items of that region and its probable future,
written from the standpoint of a political econo-
mist In a short preface the author states that
he has lived for fourteen years in South America.
| working as a journalist all over the continent.
His experience tells in his text. which reveals
accurate knowledge of the countrys climatic,
geographical and productive traits.
The main lines Of events in South America,
from the time of European colonization to the
middle of the nineteenth century. present
ed with brevity. Then. in a series Of chap
tiers record Is given of everything OF i'm
portance that has occurred in every State
of South America from 1854 TO June, 1904.
ONLY in regard to the republic of Paraguay the
chronicer arrests his narrative at 1900. neglect
ing to tell us that President Aceval. whom he
duly euIogizes was overthrown In January.
1902, by a revolution which cost the life of
only one man. Senator Infran, and placed
in power Colonel Escurro himself threatened
now by a revolutionary movement which began
on August 4 and is not yet suppressed Each
chapter relates the political events which have
marked the domestic and the international life
of the state in question and ends with vivid
description of its soil. climate and natural
sources together with observations and sta
tistics about its commerce. industry, railroad
development. etc. during the last half century.
All this is Illustrated with portraits of the
lient figures in the too numerous revolutions of
those countries, from Simon Bolivar down to
Julio Roca, Alves, Candamo and others who
have been Presidents Of Argentina, Brazil, Peru
and other states.
Mr.. Akers gives a complete and accurate mar
rative of the wars which these republics have
waged among themselves and which have caused
so much unnecessary bloodshed. He recites all
the incidents of the struggle between Peru and
Chill in 1S79-'S3: of the war which Paraguay
sustained during five years against the triple
alliance of Brazil Argentina and Uruguay
1SG5-'7O of the conflict between Brazil and Bo-
Iivia for the definite possession of the rubber
regions of the Acre territory; and also of the
aggression of three European countries against
Venezuela. whose national dignity was saved
by the peaceful interference OF the United
States In her behalf in 1898. Speaking of this
and other similar Incidents the author renders
full Justice to the motives which have prompt
ed the action Of America, and in his last chap
ter he says: For some years past it has seemed
that the influence of the United States might
enter so far into South American politics as to
form the starting point of a new era for Latin
America Strong efforts have been made by the
North Americans to cement a warmer friend
shin with the South American republics by the
promotion of the Pan-American Congress i'm
Washington in 1883 and a similar conference
in Mexico in 1901. The championship of the
Venezuelan cause against Great Britain in 1854
was another proof of the anxiety at Wash
lngton to extend American influence in South
America" This TALES with what Mr. Akers
writing about the birth of independence in the
Southern American republics, saws in the first
pages of his book;
As n rule south Americans give too little i'm
eercised upon the . final outcome Of their struggle
oF the United States policy was de nm DecaT1
6er IS23 when the Spaniards had been defeated in