The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-07-23
Argentina and Bolivia Have
Broken Off Relations.
GUNS TO END FRONTIER ROW
Action Follows Refusal of Latter
Nation to Accept the Formers
Arbitration of Peru's
Boundary Line.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 21.-
Diplomatic relations have been abso'
lutely severed between the Argentine
Republic and Bolivia upon the initia-
tive Of Argentina, and the long threat
of war appears to be on the eve of
fulfillment.
The Argentine government sent
passports to DR.. r. Villizon, the Bo-
livian minister, with the peremptory
order that he must leave the country
and he will start today for La Paz.
A dispatch also was sent to B. NJ.
Fonseca, Argentine minister to Bo-
livia, instructing him to leave his post
at the Bolivian capital Immediately.
The action of the Argentine govern
ment follows the refusal of Bolivia to
accept the arbitration decision Of AR.
gentina in the matter Of the boundary
dispute between Bolivia and Peru. The
Bolivian minister advised the Argen-
cided to submit to parliament the arbi-
trail award rendered by President AL
corta Of Argentina. This is taken as
the grossest insult to the arbitrating
nation and is considered sufficient rea-
son for breaking off relations.
In addition, however the Argentine
Republic has taken offense at the ac-
tion of Colonel Ismael Monies, presi-
dent Of Bolivia. who, 1t is asserted,
has sent circulars to the projects
throughout the country casting refiec-
tions on the Argentine government.
The territorial dispute between Bo-
livia and Peru, long a matter of bitter
feeling, was finally submitted this
year to President Alcorta of Argen-
tina as arbitrator The territory in
volved is the famous Acre district,
which Brazil purchased from Bolivia
early in 1909 for $1O,OO0,0O0. Peru at
that time warned Brazil and Bolivia
that she claimed the territory and that
the dispute as to ownership was even
then the subject Of arbitration. Never
theless the deal was completed, giving
promise of three cornered war. Pres
ident Alcorta's award nullifies Bo-
! livia's sale to Brazil as of property 1t
did not own.
When President Alcorta rendered his
decision furious mobs attacked the Ar
gentine legation at La Paz, and 1t was
necessary to call out the troops to pro-
tect the Argentine minister and also
the Bolivian legation. The Bolivians
unanimously protested against the
award, considering it unjust, and Of
ficially ignored it.
In event of hostile contest between
Argentina and Bolivia figures of finan-
cial resources and armed strength
would indicate q most unequal condi-
ton, heavily in favor Of Argentina.
The peace strength of the army is
about $1,000, with war footing of
250y000 men armed with modern weap
ons. The navy has 1000 regulars and
1900 volunteers, three battleships, -four
armored cruisers, four protected cruis
erS. two scout ships, three torpedo
boat destroyers, twenty-five torpedo
boats, one submarine and two armored
monitors.
The peace strength of BOlivia's army
is 5000, with reserves and territorial
guards to bring the possible fighting
strength to about 100000 men. The
arms are modern. The population is
about 100000. of which 40 per cent
is Indian. Bolivia is 100 miles inland
having lost her seacoast to Chile.