Evening star., 1921-12-18
SOUTH AMERICAN BID
FOR ~ARMAMENTS CUT
Chile Has Invited Peru to a Conference
Over the Disputed Tacna and
africa Territories.

conduct Of the election should be
considered with her own. And II is
hoped that Peru will see her way
clear to at least enter into the spirit
shown by Chile in reopening the
question and accept the invitation to
discuss the question.
1t Is right that Chile should make
the first overtures toward a reduction
of armament. She possesses one Of
the most powerful naval and military
forces in South America. and she is in
position to fear but little aggres-
sion from Peru. Peru. on the other
hand. must feel the need, even in her
present economic state, to maintain
an army for her proper defense. The
amicable settlement of the Tacna-
africa dispute would leave both coun-
tries free to unburden themselves of
ment. diverting the funds into useful
channels of development Of natural
resources.
Another angle to the Tacna-Arica
dispute and its settlement through
plebescite centers in Bolivia, with her
pleas for an outlet to the sea. Since
party in control Of the Bolivian gor-
ernment, Bolivia has been advancing
her arguments of a right to an outlet
to the sea. She has had hopes of OBJ
tanning the province OF Tacna or
africa. or both, claiming thus to ad-
just the differences between Chile
and Peru and at the same time pro-
vide her with port. She views the
proposed plebescite with something
akin to alarm, and there are tndfca-
tions that she may use her 1nnuence
in whatever way possible to prevent
a reopening OF the negotiations Tor
its holding.
In 1895 treaty was drawn up be-
tween Chile and Bolivia providing
that IL the provinces OF Tacna and
africa were given to Chile by
Bolivia a seaport within that terri
tory This treaty was never rati-
fed. and in 1904 another treaty was
made between Chile and Bolivia. In
which the latter renouneed claims 70
to the important province of Antofa-
gasta, rich in nitrate deposits. Senor
Don Beltran Matthew. the present
Chilean ambassador to the United
States. took an important part in ne
gotiating this agreement.
According to the terms OF TINS
treaty. Chile was to construct rail.
way from africa to lie PaZ, capital OF
Bolivia. neeessitating the expenditure
completed in 1913. and now connects
Bolivia by the shortest route to the
sea coast. Bolivia was allowed TO
establish her own customs houses IN
africa and in Antofagasta. and al.
lowed free duty on her exports ana
imports.
When President Gutierrez Guerra
of Bolivia was overthrown, the vic
torious party stood on a platform
which advocated Boiivia's right to al
outlet to the sea- But Chile has re-
fused to enter into any negotiations
with her because of the treaty OF
1904. Bolivia's attempt to have the
matter brought before the league o.
nations. her failure and probable in
tention to have it taken before the
league in another form. are wei
known.
africa go to Chile it will mean, to
large extent, Bolivia's loss Of an
hope for an outlet to the sea throus
negotiations with Chile. II the di:
puted provinces went to Peru.
would simply mean Bolivia's depenc
ence for economic existence on Per'
loss of Peru as an ally in her presel
contention against Chile.
r. X r
Chile is entertaining a proposal ar
vanced by two French manufacturtn
sive franchise to install and operat
a commercial airplane service be
tween Iquique. Conception and inter
mediate cities. The tariffs to be pu
in force would be submitted to th'
government and the landing neids
would be put at the disposal OF the
military aviators. One advantage
claimed for the service would be that
the trip from Santiago to Antofa-
gasta-a rail journey Of two days
could be accomplished by afrplane In
five hours.