The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-10
BoIfvfs's Solution OF the Chilean
Peruvian Problem.


Peruvian Problem.
To understand the proposal made
by Bolivia to the Peace Conference
for the composition Of the disputes
between Chile and Peru which since
1888 have periodically endangered the
peace Of South America It Is neces-
sary to recall the circumstances IN
der which Chile obtained possession
Of Antofasasta. Tarapaca, Tacna and
africa.
In 1850 and 1874 Joint possession
Of the rich nitrate deposits Of the
desert Of Atacama was established
by Bolivia and Chile without the set
ting up Of definite. recognized boun-
dairy lines. The exploitation of the
deposits was accomplished largely
through Chilean capital, and in 1879
differences had arisen which culmi-
mated in the seizure by Chile Of the
Bolivian port Of Antofagasta- This
occurred in February. and In April
Peru, as tho ally of Bolivia. declared
war ON Chile.
The struggle which ensued lasted
four years, with Intermittent fight
ing, in which the Chilean armies, in
ferior in numbers to their opponents
but superior in equipment and dis
cipiine, met with overwhelming vic
tory, while the Chilean navy was
equally successful. The war attracted
much interest in naval circles be-
cause Of the fact that It afforded one
Of the earliest opportunities to OBJ
serve the capabilities Of modern war
craft under battle conditions.
By October, 1880. Chile had pos
session Of all the territory in dispute,
and negotiations for peace were
started under the patronage Of the
United States. Chile's terms were
unacceptable, however, and on Janu-
airy Is, 1881. the battle of Miraflores
gave the Chileans possession Of Lima,
Callao and other important Peruvian
cities. The war was kept up with
| desultory fighting for two years
longer.
| Under the treaty dictated by Chile
Rolivia's seacoast department. with
the port of AntotaSasta and its rich
mineral fields. passed into the pos
session of Chile. but the interpreta-
ton Of this treaty was the subject OF
debate for years. Bolivia contending
that her cession of the littoral terri
tory was only provisional. The loss
Of this department deprived Bolivia
of an ocean port. In 1904 a treaty
was ratified under the terms of which
Chile received perpetual dominion
over the territory, but Bolivia oh.
talned free access 10 the sea, with
the right to establish customs houses
at certain ports. The treaty provided
that Chile should build a railroad
from africa to La Paz, the section
within Bolivia to become the prop
erty of that country at the expiration
of fifteen years, that Is to say. in the
present year.
The terms made by Peru with Chile
at the close of the disastrous war In
1888 called for the surrender in per
petuity OF the District of Tarapaca
TO the victor, and the territories OF
Tacna and africa for period of ter
years, on the expiration of which
their inhabitants were to be allowed
to vote on the question whether they
should remain under Chilean domin
ion or resume their place in Peru
the nation which lost the territor!
TO receive 20,OOO.OO0 pesos from the
gamer. This INSTRUMENTATION ha.
never been permitted by Chile, an(
the refusal Of that country TO enforc,
the terms of the agreement has beer
the source of the Ill feeling between
the two nations which has frequent.
brought them close to war. Last fal
the appeal to arms seemed inevitable
and now the relations of the tw,
countries are under serious strain.
What Bolivia now proposes is tina
Tacna and africa shall be purchased
by her for 20,OOo,O0O pesos. onc-hal
, of which shall 60 TO Peru and III,
; other half 10 Chile. If this arrange
ment were carried out Peru and Chill
, would be separated from each othe
by Bolivia. and that country woul'
have a sea front of its own. TIN
Bolivian statesmen contend that tn
interposltion of strip Of Bolivian
territory between the Peruvian de
, partment Of Moquegua and the Chill
, can province of Tarapaca would re
move a constant opportunity for mis-
understandings and clashes, do Jus
tice to their own land, and work 70
the establishment of permanent peac
in South America.
The immigration Service may not b
? able to keep Bolsheviki and anarchist
!, out of the United States, but when
comes to holding up American citizen