Year: 1870

Affairs in the South.


VALPARAISO, April II, 1870.


The elections have now finally closed for Senators
and Deputies and the intense excitement respecting
them that has been experienced throughout the re-
public Is gradually disappearing. As was mentioned
In my last communication, the government and its
supporters have, as IL was supposed, been in the
main triumphant, but at the same time the oppo
sltion party has largely increased the number OF its
representatives in both houses, and has elected
class Of men vastly superior that which formerly
represented its views. Indeed, no election has ever
taken place In Chile In which general interest has
been manifested, and TO this IL owing the fact that
the very best and foremost men have appeared a.
candidates on either side The opportunity is 80
promising for rising regulations to take part In
contest upon which the reform OF the constitution
depends and the chance for popularity Is SO en-
ticing, that many who heretofore have studiously
avoided political life have in this last cam.
paign been the first and most active In the field.


The number Of delegates elected by the opposition
party reaches thirty, thereby giving this opposing
faction the opportunity Of boasting that, the vic
tory not entirely THEIRS yet the gain Is great
the elections OF former that the time Of their
decisive triumph cannot far distant. The govern
ment, it is believed, will place serious obstacles
In the way Of what appears to be the popular desire
that s the thorough reform Of the right OF franchise
and the entire remodelling Of the constitution OF
1888, that has 80 long been In force here and which
beyond doubt far behind the requirements Of the
times Nevertheless the partial success Of the opp0
sltiOn party Is considered dangerous by some OF
the extreme members OF the government Organiza-
ton, as there are many rumors Of change Of Cabi
net, Mr.. Amunategui, the Minister OF the Interior
having become very unpopular in consequence Of
his interference in some OF the provincial contests,
and 1t Is considered probable that ne Will resign.
This. however Is still mere conjecture Few persons
would now care to take service under the present
administration.


At last Chile has taken decided step in regard TO
the long vexed question OF the Congress Of Plenpo-
tentiaries at Washington fo the purpose Of arrang
ing an armisice or deinitlve peace between Spain
Mr.. joaquin GodJy, now Minister OF Chile IN Peru,
has been entrusted with this important mission, and
Will proceed on his errand as soon as the necessary
instructions are made out and forwarded to him. It
Is not probable, however, that Chlle will consent to
peace with Spain: An armistlce WIN possibly be
the protocol must be adhered to- by which 1t is
stated that should the allied republics through their
eacn republic Will have the right TO sign peace with
Spain upon such conditions as IL may see dt to
stipuate The fact is that Chile never has desired to
enter into friendly relations with the nation who
Inundated her SO deeply by the b0moardment OF
Valparaiso, and solution Of the difficulties Is still
far In the future


An important society has been formed In Santiago
for the purpose OF improving the breed OF horses In
ss sap q ~ @ mas o eem s
out the designs OF the society. The native horses
are very excellent in Chile and owing to the guam
tity OF fine imported stock In the country crosses
have been made that show very superior speed. An
American gentleman, residing in Santiago, recently
brought out four horses from the United States two





have distanced all the antagonists they have met
The society referred TO purchased these horses and
propose raising cross from them with the Argen.
tine and English blood stock owned in the country
THIS, with the Acclimatization Farm established In
viii Doubtless give us STOCK hardly interior to that
OF England and the United States. In this excep-
tiona South American republic, where the roads are
amusements OF foreigners and natives.


The Peruvian naval division consisting Of the two
nuano but expected to leave shortly for Caiao, in
order to reach that port in time to celebrate the an.
Tney should have visited VALPARAISO on the slst 81
March TO view the town that four years ago received
such punishment at the hands OF those who after
wards suffered In CalaO The ships are reported to
be in fine ORDER and nave attracted very general at
tentiOn. The presence Of squadron OF seven Peru
Wan vessels, three OF them formidable 1r0n-clads,
gives respectful idea OF the naval force OF our
neighbor and shows that in spite OF her proven
bal extravaganza she has at least something TO
show for her expenditure.


The Chilean navy s a source of modification to the
country, and although the Chleans are generally
better sailors than the Peruvians, yet no opportunity
Is given TO our officers and men to gain Such valuable
experience as that acquired by the crews oil this d.
vision that has made its tlresome way from New
Orleans to Valparaiso.


The news from the Araucanian frontier reminds
one OF the intelligence that was current In Washing.
ton during the war respecting the state OF affairs
along the line OF the Potomac. All Is reported to be
quiet, but skrmiShes attacks and raids are OF every
day occurrence, and the government troops have
been very roughly handled on more than one recent
OCCASION The Indians are so numerous and so un-
pleasantly irregular III their movements that the
general commanding the national forces finds 1t
excessively difficult to meet them at an advantage
canans Is very energetic and loses no opportunity
Of harassng the enemy. In fact the only mode that
can be followed by the government authorities Is the
exterminatiOn OF the Indians, thereby opening TO
territory, and doing away with race OF men whose
dOgged Obstinacy to progress and humanity render
them worthy only OF such a fate The determina-
tion OF the government IS liked. and time Is alone
necessary to carry 1t into execution.


Owing to the religious ceremonies OF Holy Week
and the attendant absorption or all attention by the
churches but little business has been transacted
Now that these solemn festivities buyers are
commencing to arrive, to lay In their winter stocks.
and we hope to see speedy Improvement in the
market. III American dry goods very considerable
demand Is noticed, and that branch Of business Is
becoming very profitable and general here.
But little wheat or coffee produce has been eX-
ported, California having been Of great prejudice to
Chile in the former and losses have been SO heavy
| the latter that both are steadily declining
Valparaiso Is, however, gradually beamlng with
the mania for Joint stock SpecuatOns and shares Of
every conceivable company are in the market. Min
ing companies are also In extensive operation
Quite number or English and French men. Of war
are IN port, but no American vessels have as yet
made their appearance.


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