No. 109.
Mr. Osborn
to Mr. Evarts.
Santiago, Chili, October 28, 1879. (Received December 18.)
Sir: Referring to your instruction, No. 70, regarding the mission of Dr. Arosemena, special ambassador of the United States of Colombia to the belligerents in the existing war in this section, I have the honor to inform you that I have discharged, to the best of my ability, the duty therein imposed upon me. Soon after the arrival of Dr. A. at this capital we were made acquainted with each other, and circumstances have since brought us together quite frequently. On more than one occasion before the arrival of your instruction he had mentioned to me the purposes of his mission, and had intimated a hope that possibly the United States Government might join the United States of Colombia in its efforts [Page 122] for peace. I said to him in substance that I was without instructions touching the matter suggested by him, but that, while I knew that the United States Government felt a deep concern for the welfare of all the American republics, and that it regretted very much the present conflict and would rejoice at its termination, still I did not believe that it would, in the absence of knowledge that its good offices were desired by all the belligerents, or until it should have some good reason for believing that an effort by it in behalf of peace would be crowned with success, propose to meddle in the controversy in any manner.
Subsequently, when your instruction came to hand, I was more than gratified to observe that my expressions were in harmony with the views of the State Department in so far as the Department had seen fit to make them known. Dr. Arosemena is not hopeful of accomplishing anything now, and will leave here in a few days for Lima without formally tendering the good offices of his government. He has private assurances that the services of his government are not desired by Chili at present.
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This country was never more confident of success in the war, apparently, than it is now. The government, as now organized, with Señor Santa Maria at the head of the cabinet, represents fully the aggressive war spirit of the country. The government has the confidence of the people in so far as the conduct of the war is concerned, and all are sanguine regarding the result. And yet I judge from the tone of the Peruvian press that the allies are quite as confident that they will ultimately triumph. While matters continue in this condition I am at a loss to understand how our government can possibly make itself useful in the direction of peace. I am sure that no proposition which would admit of the reoccupation by Bolivia of the territory between the 23d and 24th parallels, or any considerable part thereof, would be accepted by Chili, no matter where the proposition should come from.
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The principal cause for the declaration of war against Peru was the secret treaty between Peru and Bolivia. Chili understands this compact to have originated in Peru’s hostility to her, and I am led to infer that the “security for the future” mentioned contemplated an abrogation of the treaty and an assurance that a like one would not be entered into hereafter. If Chili should, however, get possession of the Tarapacá district, I apprehend that it would be interpreted to mean much more.
There can be no peace until at least one of the parties to the conflict shall show a disposition to abate some of its pretensions. I am confident that Chili is not so disposed now. If the allies are, I do not know it. The fact is, the belligerents have not sufficiently felt the horrors of war to incline them in the direction of peace. Up to this time the conflict has been confined to the sea. There has been no engagement worthy the name of battle by the army, and there must be, in my judgment, at least one serious, bloody engagement by the land force ere they will be found ready to listen to friendly suggestions from outsiders.
The Chilian land forces now number about twenty-five thousand men. They have been supplied with new arms of the most approved patterns, purchased in Europe. The men are regarded as good soldiers, and there will be much disappointment here if they fail to render a good account of themselves in the engagements which must, sooner or later, take place.
The capture of the famous turreted monitor Huascar by the Chilian navy has produced here the most unbounded enthusiasm. This vessel is now in the Valparaiso harbor undergoing repairs. This naval victory [Page 123] leaves Chili undisputed mistress of the sea. It remains to be seen whether she is to be as fortunate on land. Her position is undoubtedly muck stronger than it was prior to this naval engagement.
The government is anxiously watching the course of events in the Argentine Republic. There is much hostility there to Chili, and it is feared that that country may yet drift into an alliance with Peru and Bolivia.
I have, &c.,