The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-21
OSBORN'S PEACE VICTORY
Diplomat Saved Argentina and Chile
From Going to War

The tender of good offices in the Mex
lean situation by Argentina, Brazil and
Chile. recalls the story of shield pre-
scented by the grateful citizens of the Ar
gentine Republic to Gen. Thomas o. Os-
born, who for Is years. was the United
States minister resident at Buenos Aires,
says the New York Times.
There was a bitter dispute between
Chile and the Argentine Republic over
the boundary line in 1880, and war seemed
imminent. Argentina had modified an
army of 100000 and was eager to settle by
bloodshed the vexed question. In the
crisis General Osborn interviewed. He Of
fered to communicate with Ex-Governor
Osborn of Kansas, then minister to Chile,
with q view of deciding the question in
friendly manner. This proposal was ac-
cepted, though at first reluctantly. Cen
eral Osborn was an eloquent speaker ana
had a record in Illinois of being one of
it's most persuasive orators in compaigns
He was of the Stephen Douglas type in
appearance, with all the vigorous quail
ties of an old-time spellbinder.
Through the Argentine Republic he
Travelled, urging peace, and telling the
people of our civil war, in which he had
seen his command of 300 strong cut down
to pitiful $50. Then he went into Chile.
and with his brother diplomat of the same
name, presented the same arguments,
speaking In the name of arbitration and
peace
He protested that Argentina should
name the line 1t would accept, and that
Chile do the same. After the first letters
had passed between the two ministers
the telegraph line between Buenos Aires
and San Diego was placed at their dis
posal and further negotiations made over
the wire. When the two governments
submitted their line 1t proved that there
was very little difference, and that the
main point was the control of the Strait
of Magellan. When this had been com
promised the treaties were sent to each
country for exchange. It was winter
when the negotiations reached their eli
max and it was at great risk that the
courier bearing the treaty crossed the
mountains; SO another courier was sent
after him with copy of the treaty but
neither was heard from. According to
agreement the treaties were to be ex-
changed and confirmed on certain day
at D. m.
AS the afternoon wore on and nothing
was reported of the couriers the Argen-
tine Republic asked over the wire If the
treaties could be exchanged by telegraph
Chile consented and ii was done. An hour
| later both couriers arrived in San Diego
There was great rejoicing when the
| news was published that the boundary
| dispute had been settled. The relieved
citizens of Chile and the Argentine Re-
public showered compliments and hon
| ors upon both diplomats
| AS token of its appreciation the Ar
| gentine government sent to Paris and
had fashioned, from an original design by
| Gustave Dore, massive gold and silver
chfeld, two and a half feet in diameter
costing $4,000, which was presented to
| General Osborn by the President and cab
| met of the republic. The Chilean govern
nent was not behind Argentina in it's APP
| appreciation A valuable French clock
| mounted in agate, a pair of superb agate
vases, and card table of the same beau
tiful stone, were their tokens.
General Osborn told the people of both
! republics that he could not accept these
| testimonials unless authorized to do so
| by Congress. A bill to that effect was
| introduced here, but it failed .ecause the
end of the session was near and no one
revived it. The Chilean government re-
tanned the custody of the shield, vases.
clock and table, and after General Os-
born became private citizen and re-
turned to this country he was notified
that Chile had shipped them to Boston.