Evening star., 1926-11-09
KELLOGG PREPARES
/ TACNA-AR|CA PLAN
Last Attempt to Be Made
Soon to Solve Problem.
! Details Kept Secret.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.


Latin American official quarters in
Washington are in momentary expec-
tatton Of the United States Govern
ment's last attempt proposal IN settle
the Tacna-Arica mess. Secretary kel-
logg has been busy throughout the
Summer and Autumn on scheme
designed to do justice to both Chile
and Peru.
II the Kellogg plan does not dispose
Of the disputed provinces alone lines
agreeable to the contestinE parties
Chile end Peru are to be left in no
doubt that the limit Of Uncle San
good offices" has been reached. The
ancient enemies on the west coast "i
South America thenceforward Will
have to "fght II out among them
selves s'-peaceably. II they can; by
force, If some day they must
No one. either in Washington or
in chile and Peru, expects that an
armed clash would come soon.
an1icable negotiations continue, as
hitherto. to lead nowhere. But ever!
one who comprehends the bitterness
aroused by the old controversy is per.
suaded that sooner or later Chile and
Peru will resort to arms for settle
n1ent of a feud which diplomacy ana
arbitrationa seem powerless to end.
Plan Closely Guarded.
The precise nature Of Secretary
kellogss final effort 20 close the
Tacna-Arica incident is strictly guard
ed Chile and Peru. whose representa-
tives in Washington have been in
constant contact with the state De
partnlent since the plehiscitary. pro
hyffv
end on June IA. undoubtedly knew
what Mr.. Kellogg has in mind. But
in diplomacy Of this highly delicate
sort it is not customary 10 make de
tails public until the government
rendering good Offices" has reason
able assurance Of their acceptance.
The Coolidge administration. more
over. has had its fingers sufficiently
burnt In the Tacna africa muddle
without inviting further embarrass-
ment. Secretary Kellogg is, therefore.
looking before he leaps. All Latin
America is awaiting the result Of
Washingtons efforts 10 justify the
United States position as the arbiter
Of affairs In the Western Hemisphere.
The Monroe doctrine Is not at stake.
but its prestige IL more or less in
volved.
Chile Is represented to this writer
as being ready to consider any com
promise proposal that does not entire
" eliminate her from Tacna.Arica.
She apparently will not accept any
settlement that hands Tacna over to
Peru and converts africa into neutral
territory or assigns that province,
under some compensatory arrange
r1ent. 10 Bolivia. Peru's policy is
dominated by President Agusto Ile.
Euia, whose uncompromising attitude
toward Chile was considerably
strengthened by the aba andonment OF
tbs plehiscjte. Gen. William Iassiter
of the United States Army, neutral
member and president Of the plehisci-
fary commission. voted with Peru
against Chile for the resolution which
decreed that a, fair vote In Tacna-
africa was impossible. In effect, the
resolution charged Chile with responsi.
hilitY for those conditions.
Chilean authorities accuse President
LeEuia Of Peru Of using Tacna.Ar
as campaign issue to perpetlate
himself in power. There is now mend
ing before the Persuvian Congress a
constitutional amendment providing
Tor prolongation of the presidential
term. Chileans assert that Senior
Legua is popularizing his personal in.
terest IN the amendment hv opposinr
any compromise that does not ternni
nate the TacnaArics affair in an out.
right victory for Peru.
Plebiscite Plan Dropped.
There is an impression that Chile
mad the right To appeal to President
Coolidge, the official arbitrator. against
the LaSalter resolution. Chile never
recognized the right Of the plebiscitarv
commission 10 pass such A resolution
ana, therefore. refused to ask for IT'S
reconsideration. The Chilean conten
ton is that President Coolidge has no
alternative but to indorse or set aside
the decision by which the commission
broke up the plebiscite.
All mus ts water over the dam now
Ano concerns questions of interest
mainly TO those who like dabhline In
the f1ne points Of international law
Inc plehlscltarv commission shut IN
shop immediately the Lassiter resolu
non was passed, Its voluminous ar.
chlVes nave been gathering dust In
The State Department since Midsum.
n1er and IFS personnel-Amerjc.n
chilean and Peruvian-lons since seal
tered to the winds. There is not likely
10 be another venture in selfdeter
mlnatior for Tacna.Arira
everything now se+s down ~ this.
" Chile and Peru will not or cannot
accept the positively farewell" Kel
logg plan. South Americas "Alsace.
Lorraine must smolder and flicker on
an eternal possibility Of armed con
fict. It was flicker of no greater
menace thai set a'iett a world con.
Migration II wears ago. That is one
or the reasons why American diplo.
macy has endeavored with almost m
rrecedented zeal 70 eytinsiish the
IcAna-AricS trouble while I, ie etif1 .
spark.