No. 120.
Mr. Osborn
to Mr. Evarts.
Santiago, Chili, August 4, 1880. (Received September 17.)
Sir: Some movements have been made here by a number of the European legations with a view to removing the obstacles to peace. The legations which took part in this movement were those of France, [Page 133] Italy, and Great Britian, but the minister of the latter took but little interest in it and seemed to regard it as futile. There was nothing which indicated even in the remotest degree a disposition on the part of the European powers to dictate terms to Chili, nor was there the slightest evidence of an intention to urge a peace except with the full and free consent of the belligerents. In answer to a suggestion from me the Italian minister said quite emphatically that European intervention with force was not to be thought of.
I am not aware that the German minister, Baron von Gülich, was consulted in this matter. He is about to depart for his home in Europe on leave of absence, and I therefore conclude that the German Government has in contemplation no movement of an extraordinary character in this part of the world. I see no reason to hope for an early conclusion of the war. Public opinion here emphatically demands Tarapacá, and I fear that Peru is determined to continue the desperate and apparently hopeless struggle rather than cede it. * * *
The army has been remitted to its strength prior to the late battles in Southern Peru, and I judge that it now contains about 25,000 effective men. Much discontent pervades it at the delay of the government in giving the order to march on Lima. The government is, for obvious reasons, exceedingly desirous of avoiding a campaign against Lima, and will, I judge, for the present occupy the army with expeditions to Northern Peru.
I have, &c.,