The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-07-27

might be interprete I'm dozens of differ
ent ways. In addition to these toun-
Diary disputes, there have, of course,
been the wars which brought freedom
from Spain, and numerous revolutions.
These, however, were all in some sense
struggles for freedom and better gov
eminent. They have given Latin-Amer-
leans reputation for impulsiveness and
bloodshed, when as a matter of fact
many heated quarrel has been settled
in that land without firing a shot,
The Latin-American is willing to
fight, and not afraid to die. HIS wars,
when they do happen. are apt to be long
and bloody. One of the worst of them
was the struggle between Paraguay on
the one side and Argentine, Brazil and
Uruguay on the other. For seven years
the forces of three nations made unceas-
ing and murderous warfare on the forces
of one. An Argentine general was then
sent at the head of a large force to I'm
ism the Job. He went into Paraguay
but turned back without fighting He
reported that be would not make war
upon women. For women and boys fill
ed the ranks of the Paraguayan army.
The men were dead. And to this dav
Paraguay has an overwhelmingly large
population of women. She has never
fully recovered. though half century
has passed since that struggle.
This and several other hard fought
wars convinced the leading men of the
South American republics that their
Young countries, with reatwildernesses
to people, could not afford such waste
of human life. So a strong sentiment
in favor of arbitration grew up, and
has steadily strengthened.
Stones are even now being planted on
the newly established boundary between
Peru and BOLIVIA. A dispute between
these two countries had gone to the
verge of war when movement in favor
of arbitration was started, and Great
/ Britain was asked to settle the difficult
/ ty. A commission of three men was APP
pointed to do so. and both countries
abided by its decision.
President Hayes, of the United
States, settled a territorial boundary
dispute between Paraguay and Argen-
tine, which had gone close to war when
he was asked to mediate. He did so by
deciding in favor of Paraguay, although
Argentine had a rather strong case.
| Nevertheless the latter country accept
ed the decision without protest, while
Paraguay named city Villa Hayes in
honor of the President
There was once a difference between
Brazil and France as to the boundary of
French Guiana. 1t was arbitrated,
Switzerland acting as the referee, at
/ the instance of Brazil. Spain acted as
mediator between Venezuela and Column
bia, settling a difficulty which had
caused much bitterness of feeling
Chief Justice White of the United
States Supreme Court settled boun-
dairy dispute between Panama and Costa
Rlca.
The people of Latin-America have
had much cause to fight. They have
been building republics in a wilderness
peopled with savage tribes; they have
obtained freedom from European dom
nation. We did both of these things
but not without bloodshed. For time
too. this country was cluster of little
states, and there was much feeling anC
considerable fighting among them. AL
Latin-America is still in that condition
And out of it has evolved a genuine
appreciation of the principle and value
of arbitration, which has now, by the
efforts of South American diplomats t.
aid in the solution of Mexican trouble
been brought to the attention of the
world for the first time.