Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-09
DISPUTE OVER BOUNDARY
Political Plot Against President
Elect Villazon,
MOB ATTACKS THE LEGATION
President Monies Is Billigerant and
Has the Military Forces at
His Back.

LIMA, Peru, August Git is reported
here that the war party in Bolivia is
preparing a coup d'etat with the purpose
of retaining Monies in the presidency. II
that should happen, war will be incvi-
table
The foregoing has reference to i'll feel
ing between Peru, Bolivia, Chill and Ar
gentina. that originated in a disputed
boundary. President Alcorta of Argen-
tina was the arbitrator of the dispute,
and his decision was against Bolivia.
The Bolivians were incsnsed, and there
were disorderly demonstrations in some
of the principal Bolivian cities, directed
against Argentina. In one instance the
Argentine legation was wrecked by a
mob. President Monies of Bolivia prom
tsed to make reparation for the mob 8
work, but he did 1t in such an offensive
way that Argentina severed diplomatic
relations with Bolivia.
Army Against New President.
Meantime, Bolivia had an election. and
Senor Villazon was chosen president.
He has not taken Office, and there is a
strong party opposed to permitting him
to become actual president, the ground
OF objection being his supposed wiling
ness to abide by the terms Of the arbi-
tration.
Monies, the incumbent, has used his
influence to prevent the Bolivian con-
gress from accepting the terms of the
arbitration. The army favors Monies.
Under ordinary conditions. Villazon would
be inducted into Office next Thursday.
Diplomats Excited.
The question of war between Bolivia
and Peru. with perhaps Argentina in
volved. too. is being seriously discussed
In this city. Some Of the diplomats
profess to think that the excitement
in Bolivia over the Argentine award,
which was favorable to Peru. is really a
blind on the part of the politicians there
to bring about an armed conflict with
Peru, nominally to secure more salts
factory adjustment Of the boundaries of
the disputed tract, but actually aimed at
territorial conquest.
Bolivia has no seacoast. A successful
war with Peru might give her an outlet
to the sea by demanding as an indemnity
Moquegua province. the southernmost in
Peru, and adjoining the Chilean frontier.
In that province Is the harbor of lie, at
the mouth Of the river of that name.
The harbor is said to be an excellent one.
and it's acquisition by Bolivia would be
Much depends the attitude to be as
suned by the Bolivian congress. which
opened its sessions Saturday. Ii Argen-
tina's award is accepted that should pre-
vent further trouble, but il, on the con-
trary. Bolivia refuses to abide by that
decision and proceeds to occupy the dis
puted territory, serious trouble is ahead.
Chile Might Aid.
Chile's probable attitude in the event of
hostilities between Bolivia and Peru is
also being discussed with much anina-
tio1. Her fnanciers have been spending
considerable money in the work of rail-
road construction in Bolivia and the pop
ular sympa thies are believed to be with
that country. Her unfriendliness to Peru
dates back to the Chilean-peruvian xar
of quarter of a century ago.
With ChiIe's assistance Bolivia would
have a decided advantage, and from, the
military standpoint. It is believed, could
more easily effect the prior occupation Of
the disputed, tract because OF the prac-
tical impossibility of Peru's transporting
men and munitions OF war over the Andes
and the necessity OF reaching the country
In a rounda bout way.