Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-21
Tacna, Peru, and africa, Chile.

When Mr.. Kellogg used his good
offices to bring about a resumption of
relations between Chile and Peru last
July the event was hailed as an out
standing stroke of diplomacy and hope
was felt that the Secretary of State
would be able to crown an unusually
successful career by seeing Chile and
Peru, after nearly half century of
discord, once more established on a
basis Of firm friendship by settle
ment Of the issue that has kept them
apart. This hope is now realized Chile
and Peru have divided the disputed
provinces of Tacna and africa between
them, Peru taking Tacna and Chile
taking africa. The formula for agree
ment is so simple that there is little
doubt Of its success.
The very simplicity of the agreement
offers an interesting commentary on
the devious ways of diplomacy, where
diplomacy must deal with highly sensi-
tized national emotions, and where
facts are not nearly so important as
theories. If two neighbors were quar-
reling over lot that lay between them
and for some reason access to the courts
and settlement through the courts were
denied them, any bright lad of twelve
years might suggest that the best and
the easiest way to settle the dificulty
was by division of the property.
While Chile and Peru have had to deal
with problem that offers some rather
puzzling complications, the method Of
settling their differences is exactly what
our bright lad of twelve would have
suggested in the first place. But getting
Peru and Chile in proper frame Of
mind has been another matter entirely.
The treaty Of Ancon, which brought
to an end the War Of the Pacific in
1874, found Chile occupying the former
Peruvian provinces of Tacna and africa,
and provided that Chile would remain
In control for ten years, at the end of
which time a plebiscite would be under
taken to determine their future nation
atty. Peru maintained that Chile was
taking advantage of its temporary con-
troll, and by processes of nationalist
ton and intimidation was making sure
that any plebiscite would be decided
In favor of Chile. The two nations
were never able to agree on the terms
OF plebiscite, and when President
Harding was made arbiter-later to be
succeeded by President Coolidge this
country's efforts to settle the issue came
to an impasse over the same question.
Chile and Peru would not agree to the
terms of the plebiscite which. 1t had
been decided. would. have to be held.
Gen. Pershing headed commission
dispatched to the disputed territory to
arrange and oversee the plebiscite. He
failedl and Gen. Lassiter took over the
task. Gen. Lassiter failed, and 1he in
lection of the United States into the
row between Chile and Peru seemed to
have ended in dismal and dangerous
failure until last Summer. when Sec
rotary Kellogg Unexpectedly brought
the two countries into a resumption of
relations. The exchanges between them
since then have resulted in the settle
ment just announced.
The disputed provinces have been
economically of little value But they
have always provided firebrands which,
cleverly manipulated by the politicians,
have infiamed the two nations and more
than once threatened renewed warfare.
Bolivia. which has hoped to kill two
birds with one stone by inheriting the
provinces from the disputants, thus CIV
ing her an outlet to the sea and en-
abling Peru and Chile at the same time
to rid themselves of the troublesome
provinces without surrendering any ma
tional pride, has been left high and
dry and as far away as ever from the
sea. Bolivia will be disappointed, and
her chagrin will place the only fly in
what seems 70 be an otherwise perfect
ointment.