Alaska sentinel., 1907-07-25
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The Christ of the Andes.

Ahc ShEASh SA eAo S~@~~''
 Not many years ago Chile and Ar gentina were on the verge of war. An old boundary dispute had broken out anew, and was intensified by the dis covery of an unsuspected value in the eighty thousand square miles of terri tory involved.
 The two nations grew more hostile. Each was goaded by the others war like preparations to make more pro vision for a war believed to be ineyita- ble. Their standing armies were in- creased to a burdensome size, and their navies were enlarged by new and expensive ships The tax for these wasteful preparations amounted to five dollars per capita in the two nations
 To the honor of Christian men in both nations, let it be remembered that these demonstrations did not go on without protest. On both sides of the line clergymen of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the representatives of the English government in both countries, labored earnestly and kindly for the ayerting of so great a disaster. Bishop Benavente of Argentina and Bishop lara of Chile were foremost in their pleas for peace. They journeyed back and forth in their respective countries, rousing the clergy and lalty by their pleading for the tangible e1- pression of abiding peace between the nations In the form of a monument on the boundary line.
 It was this movement that gave focus to the peace sentiment. The plan to erect a statue of Christ between the nations rebuked the clamor for war. At last the boundary dispute was re- ferred by agreement to the King of England; and his decision, which awc jed to each nation a part of what It had contended for, gave general sat isfaction.
 Then the two nations, gratifed by the result, signed treaty, agreeing that for term of years all controyer- sies between them should be submitted to arbitration, and that they would re- duce their armies and navies. The women of the two nations took up the movement for the monument A young sculptor, Mateo Alonso, model ed the statue of Christ, which was cast In bronze produced from old cannon. It Is twenty-six feet in height, and Is supported by granite column sur mounted by globe, on which the map of the world Is outlined. In His left hand the Christ holds a cross, rising five feet above the statue. Ills right hand Is outstretched In blessing. Be low are two tablets. One gives the his tory of the monument, and the other says: Sooner shall these mountains crumble into dust than shall the peo- pie of Argentina and Chile break the peace to which they have pledged them selves at the feet of Christ the Re deemer."
 | On the very summit of the Andes, and on the boundary line settled with mutual satisfaction and without strife, the statue was erected March 13, 1904, benediction to the nations that erect ed 1t, and a lesson to the world.
 The new battleships were sold, and the proceeds turned to peaceful uses Regiments have been mustered out, and the men have returned to their pro- ductive vacations. The arsenal of Chile has been converted Into a school. The roads and harbors of both nations have been improved with the money saved from war. The great trans andean railway Is tunneling through the mountains and bringing the nations nearer together In time and commer- cial interests. Taxes are reduced. The people prosper. Best of all, the Spirit of the Christ has shown the world a better way than war.-Youth's Com panion.
 Pride vs. Progress.