Chili.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 29 January 1891, Page 2

Chili.

The Republic of Chili is getting it's name up for internal dissensions. The State is the most peculiar, in shape, on the map of the world, occupying nigh on half the seaboard of the West Coast of South America. It thus has the South Pacific ocean for one boundary, the towering mountain range of the Ancles on the east, and the state of Bolivia on the North. There are only four passes over the Andes into the neighbouring States and they are ten thousand feet high. Chili freed herself from Spain in 1818 with the assistance ■ of Peru and in time turned on her ally and being victorious secured an indemnity, which she still holds for the payment of her expenses in the fight. Don Jose Balmacedo is the President and the Constitution is very similar to that of the United States.* What the disturbance is about is not very clear but probably it may have something to do with the pay of the armed forces. The best ports of the State, Valdivia and Concepcion, were destroyed in two of the severe earthquakes that country has been subjected to, there being no less than sixteen active volcanoes in the Andes. The country contains some 170,000 square miles, and is suitable for .gjyrioujjjuve;? • The • mining industry is important, there being gold silver and copper. The world wide celebrated Robinson Crusoe island — Juan Fernandez — belongs to Chili, it was on it, that. Alexander Selkirk lived for four years, and whose experiences were nspd by Defoe for his exciting story. It is only when these States go to war, or have a revolution that the public pay much attention to them, and it is well to know what their uses and abuses are. The trade is however large and is done mostly with England, the United States and France. The exports being silver, gold, and copper. The copper goes .chiefly to Swansea in Wales to be smelted owing to the scarcity of fuel where it is obtained. Wheat, flour, hides, beef and tallow are also sent away. There are 1800 miles of railway, yet the country is only in width of from 40 to 200 miles. This shows the height of the mountains, and the poorness of the harbours. There' should be a great future for such a small State if these disturbances can be ' quickly settled, as its position on the South Pacific is unique, and the Southern portion of the State has the name of being the "granary of South America." A large amount of; English money is invested in Chili undertakings, and the disturbance has naturally very much alarmed' the Stock Exchange. The States in South America are tempting in their productiveness but dangerous owing to the temperament of their inhabitants.