Evening star., 1922-05-17
CH|tE:PERU PARtEY
|. AT SEVEREST TEST.
BY the Associated Press.


BY the Associated Press. -
The Chilean-Peruvian conference
today was brought suddenly face I"
face with what many diplomatic oo-
servers regarded as it's severest test.
The recognized crucial issue OF the
entire controversy. involving the va
litity of the Ancon treaty provision
for a plebiscite in Tacna-Arica- came
to the fore unexpectedly through the
decision of Chile to propose immediate
discussion of method by Whlch Una.
provision could be fulfilled.
Peru's ,plenipotentiaries, manifestly
disappointed at the 1dlrectioh thus
given the negotiations at the very
outset, reserved comment, Dut lnui
Gated that when their reply was
made. it would besfar, from an MnSon-
ditional acceptance Of the 'Chiiean
view. - =
Peruvian Note CI.ed. ~
1T was recalled that in it's last for
NAL expression on the subject, con-
Jained. in a note sent 10 Cnlie Iota
December 81 last, Peru declared tnaI
something more than a pie1isc'te Ss
would be necessary now 70 declde the
sovereignty of Tacna-Aptca ana tnal
the plebiscite provision had Hpesni'
validated by failure to hold the elec-
ton in 1894, the date hxed by the
treaty.
Chile. on the other hand, used as
the point of departure for her pro-
p, al the words of President Haro-
ing's invitation for the Washington
conference as repeated by secretary
Hughes Monday in his address OF
welcome. The purpose of the Wasn-
inEton negotiations was denned IN
the Presidents note as to discuss
controversies arising out of the un-
fulfilled" provisions of the treaty,
EAS consequence of the sudden
prominence given this difference OF
view between the two governments,
optimism over the success or the
direct negotiations here was notice.
ably diminished. and there was a
corresponding increase in specuia-
ton over possible mediatory steps
by some outside government. Private
ly. even some of the delegates them
selves were discussing the compare
tive feasibility of the various forms
of arbitration which have been sug-
gested informally.
See L. $. Arbitrator.
In all these discussions indica tions
pointed to the United States as the
probable arbitrator, should that form
OF settlement be agreed upon. In
some quarters it was suggested also
that Argentina and Brazil might join
with the Washington government in
making up an arbitration court.
1t also was intimated that should
arbitration be accepted way might
be found for recognition of the claims
of Bolivia in the final settlement.
These claims. based on Bolivia'S par
ticipation in the war. of the Pacific,
We're reasserted last night in a state
ment by Alberto Gutierrez. unofficial
observer for his government here.
Neither the ChileanS nor the Peru
vianS consider the time opportune for
them to comment on that phase of the
situation.
So rapidly were events moving to a
point of decision that when the two
delegations came together today for
their second executive session there
were predictions in some quarters that
the conference would be over within
two weeks. The most optimistic OBJ
servers thought adjournment might
come even sooner should an immediate
deadlock be reached is between the two
delegations themselves and should they
decide to consider only the organization
of an arbitration court TO continue the
discussions. o..
Bolivia's interest in the conference is
in a comprehensive readjustment of the
settlement following the war of the Pa
cif1c, to Whica she was a party. The
Bolivian government sought unsuccess-
fully TO be admitted as member of the
Washington conference on the ground
that she was directly affected. Her re-
newed effort for recognition of these in
terests was made last night in the form
ora statement by Alberto Gutierrez. q
former foreign minister. who is here as
an unofficial observer" for his govern
Inent.
'In Bolivia" said Senior Guiterrez's
statement. lit is expected and 1t is
wished that the Chilean-Peruvian
question be settled: but if the inter-
ests and the rights of all the coun-
tries which took part in the war of
the Pacific are not considered, that
solution will not be durable. nor will
1t assure peace in the continent.
ANY arrangement. compromise or
agreement which ignores the just
reclamations and the .Gnquestionable
rights of Bolivia will be new cause
of unrest and discord in South
America"