Evening journal., 1922-02-03
BOLIVIAN INrERpLEA CAUSES CHILEAN BaLK.

WITH respect to the Tacna-Arca dispute between
w Chile and Peru which is to be referred to the
United States for arbitration and award, it is reported
that Chile balks at Bovias participation in the negoa-
tons Foreign Minister Baros Jarpa in outlining Chies
position declares THE circumstance that the Depart
ment Of States invitation directed only to Chile and
Peru reveals that in the judgment OF the United states
these he sole countries Interested the question
10 would SEEM from the records in the case that the
attitude Of Chile and the revealed judgment OF The IT, >
State Department sound and that no effective argu-
ment can be adduced which would permit Bolivia file
bill OF nerpeader in this dispute. Tacna-Arca territory
was never the property Of Bolivia.
The historical records show that It was Bolivia, who
the aggressor in the war which broke out in 1879
which dragged Peru in because OF unfortunate diplomatic
ntrigues brought to bear the Bolivian government
and which terminated in the occupation Of the Tacna
africa territory 1884 by Chile, through the Treaty Of
Ancon In this struggle Bolivia lost Anlofogasta.
Bolivia, having precpltaed the conflict took little part
in it, but in April, 1884,, she was compelled to sign the
Pacto de Tregua by which she became andlocked This
truce was to be preparatory to treaty Of peace which
has yet to be consummaied In 1891 Bolivia concluded
treaty with Argentina by which the latter country agree
to support Bolivian pretensons for regainng at least
part OF her lost seacoas but only the under
standing that the question Of the absorption OF Bolivia
by Argentina should be taken up when opportunity AZ
forded 1898 Chile aware OF the negotiations
between Bolivia and Argentina and took steps to annu
the understanding by promising to concede to the former
la Pacinc port and other concessions, which the Boiv
deemed Of paramount Importance TO their welfare.
Chile thereby succeeded tying the hands OF Bolivia in
dealing with Argentina
In 1895 Chile promised TO concede Tacna and africa TO
Bolivia to satisfy her desires for outlet to the coast
provided that the settlement with Peru resulted in favor
Chile and in he event OF Tacna and africa not passing
to Chilean ownership another port to be given.
Bolivia was TO formally acknowledge Ohies sovereignty
over territory occupied after the OF 1879 The treaty
providing for this rejected by the Chilean Congress.
This" says Akers OF the leading historians Latin
America, was diplomatic blunder the part OF the
administration OF Chile For Bolivia to obtain control Of
Tacna africa would have been CALLING to Peru because
Il was the treaty OF alliance with Bolivia that involved
Peru in the war with Chile, and the idea that Bolivia
should benefit by Peru's msfortunes and become the
owner Of her lost provinces hurt Peruvian PRIDE At
present Bolivia has way to the coast through Anofo-
gasta over a Chilean controlled railroad.
The Tacna-Arica dispute is which should very
properly be settled between Chile and Peru and It is to
be hoped will be happily settled through the good Of
fees OF the United States since It something to
the farmers Of this country because Of the nitrate ques
ton and Il will enhance the prestige Of the United states
in the Latin Americas have found satisfactory solu-
ton The question between Bolivia and Chile, which the
League OF Nations lodged last September, may well be
postponed TO a later date.