Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-05-17
a Better Way Than War.

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Not many years ago Chill and Argen-
tina were on the verge of war. An old
boundary dispute had broken out anew,
and was intensified by the discovery of
an unsupported value in the eighty thou
sand square miles of territory involved
The two nations grew more hostile.
preparations to make more provision for
war believed to be inevitable. Their
standing armies were increased to
burdensome size, and their navies were
enlarged by new and expensive ships.
The tax for these wasteful preparations
amounted to five dollars per capita III
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 clergy
men of the church. as well as the repre-
sentatives of the English government in
both countries, labored earnestly and
kindly for the averting of so great
disaster. Bishop Benavente of Argen-
tina and Bishop lara of Chill were fore
most in their pleas for peace. They
iourneyed back and forth in their re-
spective countries, rousing the clergy
and laitylby their pleading for the tang
the nations, in the form of a monument
on the boundary.line.
1t was this movement that gave focus
to peace sentiment. The plan to erect a
statue of Christ between the nations re-
buked the clamor for Lwar. At last the
boundary. dispute was referred by agree
ment to the King of England, and his
decision, which awarded to each nation
a part of what it hadl contended for,
gave general satisfaction.
Then the two nations, gratified by the
result, signed:a treaty, agreeing that for
a term of years all controversies between
them should be submitted to arbitration,
and that they would reduce their armies
and navies.
The women of the two nations took
up the movement for the monument. A
young sculptor, Mateo Alfonso, modelled
the statue of Christ, which was cast in
bronze produced from old cannon. 1t is
twenty-six feet in height, and is support.
ed by granite column surmounted by
globe, on which the map of the world
is outlined. In His left hand the Christ
holds cross, rising five feet above the
statue. His right hand is outstretched in
blessing. Below are two tablets. One
gives the history of the monument, and
the other says, "Sooner shall these noun
tains crumble into dust than shall the
people of Argentina and of Chill break
the peace to which they have pledged
themselves at the feet of Christ the Re.
deemer."
On the very summit of the Andes, and
on the boundary-line settled with mutua
satisfaction and without strife, the statue
was erected March 10, 1904 benedic
ton to the nations that erected it, and a
lesson to the world.
The new battleships were sold, and the
proceeds turned to peaceful uses. Regi
ments have been mustered out, and the
men have returned to their productive
vocations. The arsenal of Chill has beer
converted into school. The roads and
harbors of both nations have been i'm
proved with the money saved from war
The great transandean railway is tunnel
ing through the mountains and bringing
the nations nearer together in time and
commercial interests. Taxes are re
duced. The people prosper. Best of all
the Spirit of the Christ has shown the
world better way than war.-Our Dumb
Animals, May, 1907.