Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-18

ing the domestic needs. large qdanti-
ties of wheat are exported, prlhcl-
pally to England
The agricultural products of Chile
last year amounted to more than $780,
100000 gold.
The country's activity in stock rails
ing has resulted also in noticeable
increase in the development OF the
tanning industry. During a recent
year tanning leather and preparation
of goods manufactured from 1T look
second place in importance in the IN
dustrial productions of the nation.
More than $4,000 persons are en-
ployed in this industry. and more
than s16,000,OOO capital is now In
vested in it. There are nearly thirty
shoe factories scattered throughout
the republic Most of the shoemakins
machinery has been bought IN the
France have managed to OBTAIN a
share of this business. Desplte tne
growth of this industry the Unlteo
States still maintains its predom1na an
position as the shoemaker Tor Cnile.
as well as the majority OF the otner
! Latin American countries.
Notwithstanding it's agricultural
prominence, Chile must be classed as
an Industrial country. This IS Iact
because of the more than 5.5oo rae
tories within it's borders. representing
a capital Of over 1OO,00O,000. OF raw
material originating in Chile. s49.-
900. 900 worth is used, and the amount
| imported is valued at ABOUT s1o,-
100000. More than $4,000 persons are
| engaged in such labor.
Capital a Modern City.
The capital and principal city of this
rich nation is Santiago, which has a
population of $4,000. according to
the most recent figures. The next i'm
portant city is Valparaiso. with
population of 2S5.000. Other large cit
les are: Conception. with 100000;
Iquique. $4,000; Talca. $4,000; Punta
Arenas. $4,000. and Antofagasta. with
| 5000.
Santiago is beautiful and strict
ly modern and very progressive city.
In many respects 1t would be reve-
lation to the majority of Americans:
| 1t is well situated at an altitude OF
1920 feet above sea level and 10
seventy-two miles from the seacoast
1t is III miles from Valparaiso. the
| principal seaport of the country. AL
| though high above the sea. Santiago
| is built in fertile and picturesque
| valley bounded on the one hand by
the Coast range, and on the other by
| the majestic Andean range. The lat
ter is capped with snow for the
greater part of each year. The cli-
mate in this section is hard to sur
pass.
| The block system has been followed
in building the city. 1t has broad. well
| paved streets and a number of long,
handsome avenues, the largest and
nue.. The buildings are of fine archi-
| lecture and are practically uniform
| in height. There are few really high
edifices. Because of their design and
pect is given to the capital. 1t has
| modern drainage. electric lighting,
gas and water works, telephone and
other facilities.
Attractions Of the City.
Among the more interesting and mo-
table attractions in the city are the
| numerous parks and squares, the
great cathedral on the Plaza de Ar
mas; La Moneda, the government
building corresponding to the White
House in Washington; the National
Congress building, the Municipal Pal
ace; the Palace of Justice. the Ma
the Fine Arts Gallery: the Municipal
Theater. the New National Library.
the university and. of especial and
| unique interest, the hill of Santa Luz
cia. The latter is beautiful natural
rocky eminence in the center of the
city. which. once fortress. has now
been made into a agrden for the
pleasure and enjoyment of the people.
Chile has a republican form of gov
| eminent created by the constitution
| adopted May 25. 1888. There is
president. elected for five years. He
cannot serve for two consecutive
terms. and may not leave the country
during his term or for one year after
the expiration. except with the con-
| sent of congress. His salary is 3d.
600 year and he is assited in the ad-
ministration of the executive branch
by a cabinet of six ministers, ap-
pointed by him. and a council of state
OF eleven members, six of whom are
appointed by the congress and five by
| the president.
Chile was explored after the Span-
1sh conquest of Peru. Diego de AL
| magro. one of the lieutenants of
Francisco Pizarro. the conqueror of
| Peru, was sent with. an army to the
south to explore the country now
known as Chile, and to take possess
sion In the name of the King of Spain
| He crossed the desert. which is now
| the great rich nitrate district. and.
after considerable difficulty. managed
/ TO advance as far as the River Maule.
| 1t was there that he encountered a
/ wariike Indian tribe and was beaten
back. A short time afterward Pizar-
70 sent another expedition into the
| south. and it was more SUCCESSFUL
than the first one. This was in 1910.
| 1t advanced as far south as the pres
| ent site Of Santiago, and 1t was by
| this expedition that the capital citv
| was founded.
Settlement Was Slow.
Quite few Spanish settlers came
to this new domain, but the progress
OF the colony was decidedly slow. Con-
slant hostility and attacks on the
part of the indomitable Araucanian
I Indians was responsible for the slow
| growth of the colony. This hostility
continued for nearly 100 years. and
only ended then when the Spanish
governor concluded treaty with the
natives. Afterward the aid of the
latter was enlisted in defending the
| country against the invasion Of the
Enghsn ana Dutch buccaneers.
me spirit or independence soon was
!eit IN the colony. Early in the nine
| teenth century this spirit aroused the
South American continent. Chile. in
response, on September IS, 1910. de-
posed the Spanish rulers and created
provisional government Spain was
oy no means willing to release this
country without a fight, and troops
were poured into 1t in great numbers
F1naily. through the aid Of the great
Argentine patriot and soldier, Gen.
san Martin. the Spaniards were de-
1eated at the battle Of Maipu, in 1918,
which practically ended the Spanish
rule in Chile.
The first dictator of the indie
pendent country was Gen. O'Higgins.
n RI lot .I 49, ~