The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-06-04
The Republic of Chile.
An Interesting Paper by Mrs George W.
Chase.

prOVement Club OF HALEY, ldaho, MIS-.
George w. Chase. who is making her
home there with her daughter, Mrs. Ray
mond Guyer, read very interesting pa
per o., Chile. The Wood River Weekly
News Miner printed it in full, and we
copy it from that paper knowing that 1t
will interest Mrs. Chase's many friends
in Belfast:
NOTES ON THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE.
At the present time much interest is
taken in South American countries; prin
cipally owing to the great work of the
Panama cana, now about completed. All
these countries on the west coast of
South America will without doubt bene-
fit by the opening Of the canal; but the
one least likely to profit by it is the re-
public of Chile, owing to its remote stu
alton at the extreme south of the CONT
nent. However, Chile is the one best
able to take of herself.
For with the exception of the Argen-
tine republic, Chile is by far the most
advanced of all South American coun-
tries. Her people, numbering only three
millions, are intelligent and active. proud
of their country and ambitious. English
and American schools have been estab-
lshed in all the principal cities and towns
of Chile for the last fifty years. and the
youth of both sexes have been educated
in these schools. One of the earliest OF
these was a boys school founded by a
Scotchman who spent his whole long life
in earnest labor there, in his time educat-
ing many of the young men from all
parts of the west coast who have held
prominent positions in after life.
A girls school in Santiago. founded and
still conducted by Americans, is an excel
lent institution, and daughters OF the
best CHILEAN families are brought up IN
this college.
These foreign schools throughout the
country have undoubtedly had good IN
fiuence, but the Chilians themselves are
liberal-minded and eager to learn, see
ing the Importance of a free education,
which has resulted in staunch, little
nation.
The religion of the country is Roman
Catholic.
We are apt to think of these small re-
publics as being always in state OF CIV
il warfare, but we can safely say that
Chile holds the record in this also, not
having been in revolution for "a years.
The climate of Chile is far more favor
able to an energetic life than the rest OF
the southern countries, which naturally
has its effect upon the race. There are
two distinct seasons: the rainy season
from May to October, which is the cold
est weather; and the dry season, which
is the summer. The hottest weather is
in December and January. The climate
of the coast is tempered by the ocean
breeze, but Santiago, the capital. sltuat-
ed about one hundred miles inland, has
the extreme of heat and cold.
The fruit and flowers OF Chile cannot
be surpassed in any part of the world,
not excepting California, according to
the judgment of many people acquainted
with both countries. The fruit has not
been over cultivated and so retains its
flavor.
There are enormous vineyards through
out the country, and the making of wine
is big industry.
The natural flora of Chile is extremely
beautiful. A spring day in the fields OF
wild flowers and berries was delight to
US always; and the rose and every other
cultivated flower that grows is profuse
and perfect.
About fifty miles off the coast of Chile,
due west from the port of Valparaiso. is
the island of Juan Fernandez, the scene
of Robinson Crusoe's adventures.
Chile looks we'll to her national de-
fences, and is satisfied with the best
only. The military instruction has al
ways been German, and her Warshlrs
the latest model, making her navy the
envy and dread of her nelghbors.
One of the most unusual and peaceable
settlements to an international question
that has taken place in modern times is
that of the boundary line between Chile
and the Argentine republic. This had
been a point of dispute for many years
and the two nations were reused almost
to the point of war. They were spend
ing large sums of money on warships and
heavy taxes were imposed on their peo
pie.
About this time the British ministers
of both countries began to use their in
fiuence for better understanding, and
they were powerfully supported by the
Roman Catholic bishops, one living in
Chile, the other in the Argentine.
These two bishops moved among their
people preaching peace; one of them
preached sermon in Argentine in which
he said he hoped some day there should
be placed high up on the mountains be-
tween the two countries a statue of
Christ to remind all who passed by that
Christian nations should dwell together
in peace.
The suggestion was eagerly accepted,
and the women of Buenos Ayres said
they would raise the money, which they
did; and so this remarkable statue was
erected, and stands in the once disputed
pass of the Andes.
This peaceable settlement might we'll
be taken to heart by other nations of the
earth in like questions; and is reminder
that moral lesson can often be learned
in unexpected places.
These ideas of Chile may seem some
what overdrawn, as one who has spent
many happy years in place is apt to
become prejudiced in its favor; but
think that any fair-minded person would
support my views, and say that Chile is
a wonderful little country, being SO far
away from the big centers of civilization
and yet keeping abreast with the world
and high standard of life.