FIGHTING AT TARAPACA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1904, 1 April 1880, Page 3

FIGHTING AT TARAPACA.

Private letters from Tarapaca describe the battles around that city. The invading force of Chilians entered the town Bnd raised their flag in the centre. Immediately a heavy firo was poured on thorn by concealed Peruvians in surrounding houses. Tho Chilians retreated, but mado a desperate stand outside the town, forcing the defenders back. For nine hours a desperate hand-to-hand fight ensued. Guns were taken and retaken; one Chilian regiment, giving itself up for lost, burnt its flag to prevent its being taken. Sometimes in the confusion one party fired on their own friends. At laßt tho Peruvians drove the invaders to some distance, and for the time fighting reaped. When the main body of Chilians eamo on the scene the next day they found the place abandoned, and they retook their guns, and are now altogether in possession of tho provinco of Tarapaca, which is a most important point gained. The allies were compelled to retire to Axica through want of provisions. Dr. Percy has given a complete denial to the assertion that atrocities were committed at the taking of Pisagua, and as he was in charge of the Arequipa ambulance, he may be considered an unprejudiced observer. The Chilians assert that in the battle of the 19th the cavalry of the allies was partly composed of 1500 Argentines. This the northern papers deny; but it is not likely to improve matters between Chili and the Argentine Republic.