Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-08-04
TROUBLE EXPECTED
OVER TACNAAWARD
Despite Submission of Issue
to Harding, Feeling High in
Andean Province.
BY CLAUDE o. PIKE.

Bv Cable TO The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1923.
TACNA. Chile. July 3o.-Tuckeo
away in the Andes of northern Chile,
a few hours ride by train from the
coast, this little city is one OF the
most closely watched in South Amer
lea. For it lies on the border be-
tween Chile and Peru and has many
varied possibilities should Chile ana
Peru be unable to curb the bitter
hatreds that resulted from the war OF
the Pacific forty years ago.
In spite of the fact that Chile and
Peru have referred to President
Harding certain phases of the Tacna-
Africa dispute. many foreigners in this
district firmly believe that there Will
be trouble in the provinces when his
decision is rendered. How this trou-
Bile will start and how far it will
extend no one seems to care to pre-
dict. yet there is a feeling of unrest
among the people in the district.
They feel that only a miracle Will
prevent a clash between Peruvians
and Chileans in the two provinces.
Pledged to Accept Report.
OF course it is recognized that both
governments, in view of their agree
ment to abide by the decision OF
President Harding, Will have TO take
a stand to carry out their agreements
but the two provinces are Tar from
capitals of Chile and Peru and the
efforts of either government to main
tain peace will be slow and badly
handicapped.
The two provinces now belong to
Chile and are occupied by Chilean
n
ministered by Chilean officials But
the Peruvian population is still bitter
and resentful, and only the strong
military force here prevents them at
times from clashing with the Chileans
brought into the district.
That the Chilean government con-
siders the Tacna-A AFRICA provinces a
potential volcano and that an erup-
ton is always possible, is shown by
the size of the garrison maintained
in africa.
Bitter After Forty Years.
1t is expected that the serious. If
any. results from President Harding S
decision will come from clashes be-
tween the Indians and half-breedS OF
Peruvian extraction and the Chileans
who have come into the district either
as workmen in the nitrate fields or
as emigrants.
1t is claimed. that although forty
years nave elapsed SllCt tiic VOL ~
the Pacific and Chile has held the
territory. there has been little inter-
mingling of the two races in business
or marriage, and that the bitterest
feeling is always shown by Peruvians
against their conquerors. The Peru
Wan government at frequent inter-
walls spreads broadcast to the world
charges that Peruvian citizens in
Tacna and africa are deported by the
Chilean authorities on various pre-
texts and that Peruvians living in
Chile are likewise prosecuted. These
charges are denied. of course. by
Chileans. who claim that the reverse
is true.
Irritating Ship Custom.
Neither nation appears to do much
to alleviate the feelings of bitterness.
Steamship companies operating be-
tween Peruvian and Chilean ports
have posted notices that they are not
allowed to sell tickets to citizens of
Peru entering Chile. or vice versa
even though the prospective pas
jengers have properly vised passports,
unless the passengers can show sat-
isfactory aft1davits that 1t is neces-