The Origin of the Chilian War

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 66, 1 December 1891, Page 2

The Origin of the Chilian War

Mr Trumbull, agent bft^GhiliSn ' Congressional Government, very simple explanation 'of the origin '- : -.. ; ' of the Chilian War. It aTfm£uh6 k says, from the desire of President Balmaceda to become a millionaire:-— The nitrate beds of f o^rapaca| owned by the Government; presented the most promising field Speculation. If a rich, syndicate could;; be formed to buy theseibedspandlifXa large amount could > be^/d^tributed among the promoters of the scheme, his ambition would be satisfied jifor he intended to be the chief promoter. In order, however, successfully ;< to carry ooutt t this project, a Congress favourable to its promotion' was necessary, as well as a successor who; could be depended on. He could not find a fitter instrument for the consummation of his plan than his con- : fidential agent and broker, Senor Enrique Sanfuentes, a man without political experience and with a reputation acquired m .questionable transactions. The candidacy 'of' 'Senor Sanfuentes how became the one object of his administration. After having failed to sepure th consent of Congress to his' design; he declared himself a dictator, suspended : the laws that embarrassed him, closed all the courts, suspended all the newspapers, and seized all the property of his opponents. Hence the war.— Review of Ke views. ' ■ '■ } '