SOUTH AMERICA WANTS SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 123, 18 February 1920, Page 7

SOUTH AMERICA WANTS SHIPS

; ONE OF GREATEST NEEDS FOR TRADE EXPANSION. "Ono of the greatest needs of tlifl South American Republics to-day is a great increase of merchant shipping," says Sir Ismael Tocornal,. head of tho Chilean Mission, which was entertained recently in England. "Wo lack ehips for tho trade of Europe," Senor Tocornal said. "Wo need 6liips in abundance if wo are to reach tho full plentitudo of our mercantile power. Wo are anxious to expand our trade with England and with European general. With America we have had important commercial associations and much machinery in Chile is of American or German manufacture. "To turn to political matters, the recent references to tho_ Republic of Peru in connection with Chiio in the European Press have perhaps left unexplained tho actual state of affairs, or rather the origin of the question. There is a treaty which must 'be fulfilled, and the Chilean Government is ready to meet all its obligations. After our war with Peru and Bolivia, 1879-1883, we received tho province of Tarapaca as an indemnity. For frontier purposes wo were given possession of Tacna and Arica for a period of ten years, at the expiration of which n plebiscite was to be taken, and whichever country was chosen by the voters was to pay a sum of money to the country which lost on the plebiscite._ Up to the present moment, no plebiscite has taken ulaeo owing to the intransigent attitude of Peru as to who shall liavo the vote. Chile wishes evervlmdv to be tjiven tho Tisrht to vote, but Peru is not in accord with us about this. That is, shortly. Ihe root of the question. There is no* danger of war, however, between the two countries. "Wo nro on vorv uood tornis with tho otl'er two A B Ci Powers: Ihe frontier difficulties with the Argentine have been satisfactorily settled of course. Chile was the first South American nation to submit to arbitration, in 1003. when we accepted King Edward's solution of the i difficulties with the United States. 1 "With regard to the League of Nations. Chile approved of the scheme without discussion. Wo fully appreciated tho noble intentions of tho statesmen who conceived the measure. If it helps, even if only for a time, to make the world tranquil, it will ho'of enormous utility. To-day we cannot judge it; wo must await results. What we can do is to approoiato the snirit which animated those who brought it into being."

On the occasion of the signature of the poace with Bulgaria, enthusiastic peace celebrations were held in Athens. The city_ was boflagged, and the Royal prosession was greets! with enthusiasm.