Diario las Américas., 1958-04-15
Know thv
Nei9h.bor
By ANTONIO RUIZ

CHILE. Thousands OF years
ago. in Ghile's remote past, diverse
races and groups of natives lived
along the coast and on the slopes
of the Andes mountains, especial
ly in the rich Central Valley. The
most important among these tribes
and the NEST numerous and char
acteristic Of the country's print
tive inhabitants, were the Arau-
canians. These vigorous war-like
people had no organized govern
ment, but formed alliances or fed
erationS often in order to defeat
a common enemy. Their love OF
the homeland and liberty were
nowhere more evident than in the
tenacious struggle against the
Spanish %conquerors.
In 1885 Diego de Alamabro adj
vanced into the region from Peru,
but since he was searching for
gold did not bother to occupy it.
Pedro oe Valdivia, who set out
from Cuzco in 1910, took posses
sion Of the land in the name of
the King of Spain. Despite the
hsitility of the Ar%aucanians, cities
were founded, and colonization
progressed The early stage of
the bitter warfare between Span
lsh and A%raucanian forces when
the Indians were led by their Chief
the great Caupoiican, is described
in the epic poem "La Araucania"
by Alfonso de Ercilla, a Spaniard
who took part in the bloody SUBJ
jugation
Not until 1641 did the despe-
rate. Indian attempts at reconquest
end. In that year the Pact of Quill
lin was drafted, recognizing in
dependence of the natives south
of the Bio Bio River Even after
this compromise, however, new In
dian uprlsingS took place in pro-
test against Spanish abuses. In
fact, friction continued for three
centuries, outlaSting the Spanish
rule over the country. Far from
disappearing from Chilean society,
the Araucanian tribe has left an
indelible mark on the human geo.
graphy of the nation.
The political organization of the
colony followed a pattern adopted
in other parts of the New World,
At the head Of the colonial gov.
eminent was the Governor and
Captain General who, although ap.
pointed by the King, was imme.
diately responsible to the Viceroy
of Peru, until the end of the 18th
century. He presided the "Rea
Audiencia," the supreme judicial
administrative and council body
and also had the title of President
AS powerful as the political au
thority, especially during the early
days of the colony, the Catholic
Church dominated moral matter.
and culture, and exerted consid
cradle influence on the govern
ment. Cdthedrals and churche.
were built, religious communi.
ties were founded, and Indian mis-
Sions, schools and universities wer'
opened.
Despite growing dissatisfaction
with the colonial economic, polite
al and social system, Chileans re
NAMED loyal to Spain through tn,
beginning of the 10Th century. TIL,
idea of self-government gradually
took hold among the enlightened
colonistS, who were influenced il
part by the inflamatory philo
Sophical writings of the times ant
by the United States and French
revolutions.
On September 10, 1910, the frs
! National Government was pro
claimed. in the form of a Junta
and the first National Congress O
Chile met July 4, 1911. Among tn,
radical leaders of that Congress
was young Bernardo 0'Higgins
son of lrish-born Ambroisio Oils
gins. who served as Governor o
Chile and Viceroy Of Peru. Educat
ed in England, where he had com,
In contact with Francisco de M
randa. the Venezuelan patriot, an,
other eorerunners of Spanish
American independence, O'Higgin
was convinced that a sovereign stat
must be established in Chile, an,
decided to dedicate all his effort
to that end.
Spanish Version Page 3