Evening star., 1921-12-18
BY BEN McKELWAY.

BY BEN MCkELWAY.
TINE first echo of the limitation of
\ arms conference from South
America comes to Washington
in the news from Chile that she
has invited Peru to settle the forty-year
dispute over a plebiscite to establish
the nationality of Tacna and africa. bas-
ing her desire for such settlement on
the way thus opened for a reduction Of
armament.
II Chile and Peru can come to terms
tial dangers Of war in South America
today. II not, President Alessandri will
have held match in dangerous prox-
unity to fuse that is still smoldering.
The last time it, was tried-in 1912-a
revolution unseated a government in
Peru.
Tacna and africa, with their barren
area containing a population of approx
imately $4,000. illustrates the Importance
Of principle. 1t Is doubted IL either
Peru or Chile consider their monetary
value above a few hundred thousand
dollars. Economically they are prac-
tically worthless today and lack even
small possibility of future value. Yet
Tacna and africa have been fighting
words in Chile and Peru since the
former country obtained and kept
possession of them as spoils of the
war of the Pacific.
BY the treaty of Ancon, signed in
1893 between Chile and Peru. the prov
inces were to settle their nationality by
a plebiscite. the terms of which were
either made obscure through neglect or
intent. The plebiscite is yet to be held,
because neither party has been able to
come to terms over its details.
Popular feeling in Chile and Peru Is
easily stirred by the mention of Tacna
and africa And in 1912, when an agree
ment was reached between the two
powers to hold plebiscite, the terms
OF the agreement were attacked by a
political party in Peru. and partly on
the strength of the attack the govern
ment of President Guillerno Billing
hurst, which had conducted negotiations
for the plebiscite, was overthrown.
Now comes the invitation from
Chile for another attempt at an agree
ment. While the content of Chile's
proposal has not reached Washington.
1t is understood that the terms are
based on the agreement of 1912. nulli-
fed by the Peruvian revolution. In
stead of holding the pfebiscite in
1888. however, as proposed by Peru
in 1912, Chile would have it now.
Included in the agreement of 1912
were the following:
1.-The plebescite would be held at
the polls. established and governed
by a commission to be composed of
two Peruvians and two Chileans. Sc
lected by popular vote, and presided
over by the chief justice of the su-
preme court of justice of Chile.
1.-The nlohiScite would be confined
to natiye-born residents of the prov
inces of Tacna and africa and to Chill
cans and Peruvians with an estab-
lished residence Of not less than three
years, all of whom must be able to
read and write.
The first article was attacked in
Peru on the ground that the govern
ing commission would be composed of
three Chileans and two Peruvians,
thus putting the weight of a decision
on Chile's side of the balance
The second article was disputed in
the plebiscite should be confined to
the natives of Tacna and africa, be-
cause. 1t was argued. the recent COM
! ers were mainly Chilean, the govern
ment was Chilean. and Chile would
hold an undue influence.
An element in Peru also contended
! that the pIebescite should be held in
1888. their argument being that the
generation of that time would be
able to view the question aside from
the bitterness engendered by the war
of the Pacific. Chile held out Tor
holding the election then.
X = X X
From official sources here it is un-
derstood that Chile in her note to
Peru has stated clearly her willing
ness that Peru's suggestions for the