The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-13
Settlement Of Boundary Dispute
 Between Chile And Peru Will Be Attempted At Washington Meeting

which she hopes to acquire through peaceable negotiations with Peru and Chile.
 Despite the attempts of Bolivia to gain an invitation to the conference however, she is not to be represented in the deliberations. Chile taking the attitude that she is not a signatory of the Treaty of Ancon and has no claim to the territory in dispute.
 Under Spanish dominion the bound ary lines of the provinces which now are independent republics in South America were loosely refined; the spaniards having no particular incen- tive for insisting upon a close de41ar- cation. When the several provinces won their independence from Spain, however, this lack of definite borders became a source of much friction, es- pecialIy when rich deposits of guano, nitrates or minerals were found in the dosputed districts.
 Cause of Misunderstanding
 The discovery of guano in South ern Peru in 1S42 brought the misun- derstandings between Peru, Bolivia and Chile to head, particularly as some of the most valuable fields were in territory claimed by all three. Threats of war were frequent, but in 1866 a treaty of alliance against Spain, the common enemy, was effect ed by Chile, Bolivia. Peru and Ecua- dor, and domestic quarrels were for gotten in the general desire to pre- vent Spain from regarding foothold. Valparaiso and Callao were bonn barded by a strong Spanish fleet, but the Spaniards were unable to regain lost ground except in the Chinchas Islands, and the war ended with an States, Spain forever abandoning hope of regaining her possessions in South America.
 General Me1garejo, then President of Bolivia, made a settlement with his ally, Chile. which was very favorable to the latter, and which to this day is Q source of shame to Bolivians. The principal feature of this agree ment, which was embodied in the treaty of 1866, was the delineation of the international boundary line be- tween the two countries at the 24th degree of latitude. thus giving Chile two-thirds of the territory in ques- ton and Bolivia one-third. Other articles provided for the division of | customs duties from guano and min erals and the establishment of a Be- Mejillones. conceded to Bolivia. but the Chilean fiscal employees with full right of inspection
 The presence of Chilean officials in a Bolivian customs house gave rise to much bitter feeEng, and the treaty if anything, increased friction be- tween the two countries. The discov- cry of nitrate fields, even more val uable than the guano deposits, aggra- vated the situation and involved Peru
 
 Bolivia and Peru closer together, fur ther estranging Chill, and in 1873 a | secret treaty was negotiated by the terms of which Bolivia and Peru agreed to support each other against | Chile.
 Claim Treaty Violation The immediate cause of war was the imposition by Bolivia of tax upon nitrates exported by Chileans l from Atacama and Antofagasta. Chile interpreted this action as a | violation of the treaty of 1866 and, | declaring that treaty abrogated seiz- | ed Antofagasta. Peru, in secret aIli- | ance with Bolivia. endeavored to me- l diate, but the negotiations came to | nothing, and when Peru refused to | make a declaration of neutrality Chile | declared war on April 5, 1879. | Neither Bolivia nor Peru was pre- | pared for war with so powerful an | adversary as Chile proved to be- Bo- | Ilivia at no time had more than 5000 l troops in the field, and many of