The Posiíion of Peruviana = ¡O Chile =

7 ^

MIHISTRY OF FQREiCN AFFAIRS, CHILE INFORMATIONS SECTION

The Posiíion of Peruviana = ¡o chile =

Docurnentary Evidente disproving the assertions of the Peruvian Government

19 2 3 THE SOUTH PACIFIC MAIL O'Higgins 63 VALPARAISO MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, CHILE INFORMATIONS SECTION

The Position oí Peruvians = ¡n Chile =

Documentary Evidence disproving the assertions of the Peruvian Government.

1 9 2 3 THE SOUTH PACIFIC MAIL O’Higgins 63 VALPARAISO The Position of Peruvians ¡n Chile

Perú and the 5th Pan-American Conference

The Circular issued b]) the Chancelleries oj Santiago and Lima.

The Government and the Press of Perú are continually trying to convince the public mind in the countries of Ame rica and of Europe that the Chilian authorities treat the Peruvians residing in the territories of Tacna and Arica with a high hand. According to the statements of our Northern neighbours, the fine of conduct followed by these authorities leaas them, not only io commit acts of hostility against the Peruvian residents in their civic life, but actually to take — 4 — measures of expulsión from the territory against them in a violent manner and without the slightest justification. It may be said that this campaign dates from the time when our country tound itself to be in complete difference of opinión with Perú in respect to the interpretation of Clause 3, of the Treaty that put an end to the W ar of the Pacific, and which was signed in Ancón on October 20th, 1883. Recently, on the occasion of the invitation sent out by the Chilian Chancellery to all the countries of our continent, requesting them to send their representatives respectively to the Fifth Pan-American Conference, to be held in San tiago in Marcb of the current year, Perú again insisted on making these unfounded statements with regard to the conduct observed or proceedings taken by the Chilian Government towards the Peruvians resident in Tacna and Arica. The Chancellery of the Rimac, accordingly, answered the telegram of invitation to the Conference above referred to, sent by the Chilian Minister of Foreign Affairs on December 13th, 1922, in the following terms: “Thanking y our Excellency for your courteous telegraphic communication, I have the pleasure of informing you that my Government will give its serious attention to the Note in question and to the Programme announced, and that, ready as on all occasions to co-operate in the work of continental peace and harmony of which diplomatic acts recently celebrated afford elevated examples, it expresses the hope that the presence of Perú at the Fifth Conference in Santiago will not be prevented by the continuance of the forcible measures that the authorities in Tacna and Arica still exercise against the Peruvian population of those provinces. I take this opportunity of expressing” etc. The Chilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Señor Aldunate Solar, replied as follows: “This Government deplores the fact that Peni should continué to occupy the attention of America and the world — o —

with complaints against Chile after the recent Treaty that submits to the arbitration of the President of the United States the only questions pending between us, and wouid regret still more if, by reason of these questions, in no sense related to the matters that will be treated in the approaching Pan-American Conference, Perú shouid determine to deprive this Assembiy of her valuable assistance in the clearing up of problems that interest the continent as a whole. I take this opportunity of renewing to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration.”

The Chancellor Salomón insisted on the statements made and telegraphed on December 2Oth: “Most Excellent Minister of Foreign Affairs for Chile, It is a matter of great regret for me that the ternas of the telegram, with which Your Excellency honoured me yesterday, oblige me to rectify the unmerited and deplorable imputation contained in that dispatch. The Government does not entertain, ñor has ever entertained in the past, the proposition to occupy the attention of America and of the world with complaints that concern Perú only; but Perú has held and still maintains the resolution to Iift the veil that covers the extortions and outrages of which the Peruvians in the provinces occupied by Chile have been, and still are, the victims, even after the signing and approving of the recent Washington agreements. If, to appearance, the facts have no relation to the matters treated of in the Fifth Pan-American Conference, they con cern very closely the dignity of Perú, which wouid not permit the presence of Peruvian representativos in Santiago until these acts of violence have ceased. I take this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration.”

Our Chancellery did not reply, limiting its action to the placing of the facts within the knowledge of our diplomatic representativos abroad, calling attention to the lack of con crete instances and informing them that the agriculturalists — '6 of the Azapa valley had just entertained the Chilian authorities on the property of the Peruvian citizen, Don Ricardo Fernandez. A few days later, on January 15th, coinciding with the date fixed for the exchange of the ratifications of the Washington Protocol, the Press published the following telegram : “ Buenos Aires, January 14.

“The Peruvian Legation has received a telegrana from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Señor Salomón, referring to the non-concurrence of Perú in the Fifth Pan-American Conference which will be held in Santiago. 1 he telegram i» to the following-effect:

“ ‘The extraordinary explanation that the Chilian Govern ment has distributed to the Chancelleries of our continent through its legations, with respect to the refusal of the Peru vian Government to be represented in the Fifth Pan-Ameri can Conference so long as no stop is put to the persecutions and attacks to which our countrymen in Tacna, Arica and Tarata are subjected, obliges us to make certain rectifica- tions, the more that they coincide with our proposal to refrain from provoking sterile discussions, and with the solé object of preventing the judgment of the Governments of America from being misled or mystified by our apparent assent. “ ‘On mentioning the causes subsisting that would prevent our participation in the Conference in Santiago, we are ani- mated by the sincere desire of giving an opportunity to the Chilian Government to satisfy international morality by re- moving those obstacles, due only to the fratricidal policy that continúes to be put in practice in the Peruvian provinces that it occupies and still holds through having delivered their definite fate to the decisión of a respectable arbiter, since, with surprising simplicity, it has believed that it might be useful, in the event of a plebiscite, to continué throwing out — 7 — by violent means the remainder of the Peruvian population oí those provinces, wherein only those Peruvians are allowed to remain in their respective domiciles whom they believe to be capable of lending themselves to the Service of Chiban aspirations, obliging those who do not fall under this category to ciear out. “ ‘Against the latter, pressure is put on more cruelly than before, since now they are not expelled to the territories occupied by Peruvian authorities, where they might find help, but are sent to íquique, where the economic crisis and hostile environment, incessantly agitated in a public manner by the so-called Chiban Patrioíic Leagues, creates for our countrymen a sufficiently uncomfortable situation, without our Gov ernment being able even to listen in time to their clamour. “ ‘Some few, dodging the vigilance of the Chiban forces, seek safety on the Sama frontier, where they are pursued as crimináis. “ ‘To this was due the inhuman murder of a Peruvian, who, accompanied by another, went to Locumba to avoid being enrolled against his will in the Chiban Army, and who was shamefully assassinated by the Chiban carabineers on December 2nd, 1922. The excuse given was that he was a smuggler; this is a gross imposture, since it could not be considered that two poor lads travelling barefooted and with nothing but a miserable box containing their clothes could be such. The lack of news with regard to the other boy leads to a well-founded presumption that he also was murdered. “ ‘For the rest, all the Governments of America that know in detail the persecutions and outrages perpetrated in Chile against the Peruvians understand what is meant by the sarcastic statement that Peruvians enjoy in that country the same guarantees as the natives; above all, after learning the acts of the Washington Conference of July 27th, 1922, among which is numbered an agreement to submit to arbitration the claims of Peruvians for the attacks for which the Chiban authorities are responsible, committed since 1910. — 8 —

For alí these reasons, we hold firmly to our protest against the proceedings with which Chile victimises our countrymen, in open opposition to its notable propositions of tranquillity and continental unión brought up in the Memorándum directed to the Chiban Legations. “ ‘Please communicate the above to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaving a copy of this telegram, and please transmit it to our Legations in Montevideo, Asunción and Rio de Janeiro.— (signed).—Salomón.' ”

To this publication another followed, conceived in these terms: “Buenos Aires, 15th.

“The Peruvian Minister has requested the morning papers to give publicity to the following dispatch just received from the Peruvian Chancellery:

“ ‘Scarcely had the previous circular been sent off that refers to the treatment which the Chilian authorities mete out to Peruvian citizens residen! in the provinces occupied by Chile, when I received an official telegram in which I am informed the Chilian carabineers of Tarata obliged by forcé the widow, Joaquina Ticona, a Peruvian, to cede some land owned by her, for two years, to construct thereon a barrack, and further, that at the end of December, a Chilian carabineer having been found dead on the banks of the river Mauri (unjustly occupied by Chile) the authorities turned loose the Chilian workmen against the Peruvian inhabitants on the 9th and 10th of the present month, giving them full permission to commit every kind of outrage; the latter, in consequence, committing repugnant excesses, among which merit mention many violations of defenceless women, ten of whom were under age and some only 8 or 12 years oíd. There are still grave threats made against Peruvian citizens. W e are, moreover, in possession of full information with respect to these crimes. — 9 —

“ ‘Please consider this telegram as an amplification of the circular of yesterday for the purposes indicated. “ ‘Please transmit this telegram to the Legations in Asun ción, Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro, (signed).—Salomón. (Havas.)’ ”

Our Chancellery limited its reply to the following communication, forwarded on the 16th to our Embassy in Washington:

‘The very day on whích the ratifications of the Arbitration Protocol were exchanged, the Government of Perú has given publicity to a violent document, drawn up in terms so foreign to the cautious and courteous language of diplomacy that my Government did not consider it prudent to take it into con sideraron before confirming its authenticity. “The Peruvian Government renews once more the ground- less charges that it formulates against us as to the persecutions to which the Peruvians are alleged to be subjected who live in our provinces of the North and who enjoy there, as I have told Your Excellency, the guarantees of liberty that our Constitution fully ensures to all the inhabitants of the country. “The events, the account of which reach the Government in Lima through channels of information partial and unworthy of credence, transpire in view of all, Chilians and foreigners, and even of the writers and politicians which that Gov ernment exiles in no small number and who seek shelter among us. “ In Perú there are no Chilian residents because, though we make no complaint about it, those who were there have been persecuted and expelled. On the other hand, in the centre of Chile, there live quietly hundreds of Peruvians whom nobody interferes with; and it is notorious that in the exploitation of the nitrate regions of the North a veritable Peruvian colonv finds remunerativa work on equal conditions with the Chilian workmen. - 10 - “The Government of Perú insists that on December 2nd last a boy was killed who was flying in order to avoid being enrolled against his will in the Chiban army. The truth ot what actually happened is revealed in the report of the Intendente of Tacna and in the process drawn up by the judicial authorities. This report says: “ ‘The matter as described is entirely untrue. The only individual killed during the whole of last year, and who appears to have been a Peruvian, was one of two smugglers surprised by the carabineers on the night of December Ist, near Tomasiri. They fired and wounded the horse of one of the carabineers; the latter fired and killed a smuggler; the other one fled; the body, which could not be identified, was that of a man of thirty years of age, so that he could not have been a conscript. The Civil Judge has drawn up a summary that is now in the hands of the Promotor Fiscal. “ In a new circular issued the Government of Perú refers to outrages committed by our soldiers against women and children. W hat happened, however, on our frontier was that, with a few days difference in the date, a carabineer was murdered in the Mauri región and a sergeant of cavalry murdered and horribly burned in Pocollay, cióse to Tacna. The Chiban Government is desirous of repressing with an energetic hand such outrages; but will not permit the tradi- tional and honourable discipline of our army to be broken. “Another statement of Perú, which we musí correct, is to the effect that an agreement was supposed to be incorporated in the Acts of the Washington Conference in the sense of the submission to arbitration of the claims of Peruvians for attacks for which the Chiban authorities might be responsible. W hat is actually incorporated in those acts is a proposal made by the Peruvian delegate, Sr. Porras, relative to claims made by citizens of one or the other country for damages suffered through popular disturbances in Perú and in Chile. “The proposal of Sr. Porras, differs, as may be seen, from that which appears in the Peruvian circular, and it was not — 11 as yet accepted by our delegates, who considered the point outside the sphere of the Conference, even though the idea were worthy of acceptance. “W e have wished in the highest spirit of concord and American cordiality to deliver to arbitration the controversy relating to the definite sovereignty of a territory which was, and still is in our power, and we shall do nothing on our part to disturb the tranquilüty with which we await the decisión of the arbiter. “My Government regrets to have to occupy itself in the correction of the Peruvian statement, which shows weakness and lack of confidence in the cause that it defends. The imputations made against us, by reason of the extraordinary form in which they have been presented, will damage neither the situatioii ñor the prestige of the Republic abroad. “Please explain the above to the Secretary of State, who is in a position to prove the absolute truth of our information by comparison with that which he certainly receives from the American consular agents in the Northern Provinces.— Luis Izquierdo, Minister of Foreien Affairs for Chile,” His Excellency, Don Arturo Alessandri, President of the Republic of Chile, 1920/25. Declarations of His Excellency the President o f Chile.

The President of the Republic, His Excellency, Señor Alessandri, for his part, made the following statements in the course of an interview granted t o a member of the staff of “El Mercurio” on January 17th: “Could Your Excellency tell us anything with regard to the impression made by the Peruvian imputations with regard to alleged acts effected by Chilian authorities in Tacna, Arica and Tarata?” “W hat do you want me to tell you? I regret these accusations most deeply, and I am sorry that unfounded alarm should be caused by statements that are utterly untrue, as has been shown by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I do not want to say anything about the unrestrained language used; that can be left to the judgment of America, to whom the words are directed, and to the whole World, which will certainly regret the forgetfulness of good manners and customs imposed by diplomatic courtesy.” — 14 —

“Can these statements have any effect?” “ Naturally, they may contribute to lead us away from the lofty and noble object sought in the Conferences and Agreements of Washington, which have just been ratified.” “Will Your ExceHency tell us more fully your ideas on the subject?” “With the greatest pleasure. In entering on the diplomatic negotiations which began with the invitation to Perú sent on December 12th, 1921, I held the project of terminating definitely the questions relating to the unfulfilled clauses of the Treaty of Ancón, as the means of attaining a loftier, much loftier, end still,—the re-establishment, cordially and sincerely, of the ties of an oíd and loyal friendship that in other days of our history united Chile and Perú in bonds of stre- muris effort, great sacrifices and common aspirations. “Through the solution of the problem that has separated us for so many years, I sought a generous forgetfulness of the problems that have kept us apart, to base on the traditions of a past co-fraternity a prosperous future of sincere co-operation between the two peoples and of peace and tranquillity in the South American continent.” “The astounding declarations of the Peruvian Govern ment attempt to withdraw us from these ends, which have been followed with equal loyalty and effort by my Govern ment. These declarations produce exasperation in the mind of the people and naturally predispose them to discount all the sincerity with which we seek their friendship. Those Governments are doing evil work who sow hatred among the peoples whom they direct against other peoples and other men. Hatred is a negative forcé that destroys and annihi- lates, and if for the moment it produces reactions of esteem and adhesión for the governments that provoke it, thus replacing the prestige and moral forcé which gives .respect for the law and the institutions arising from a real democracy, it is no less certain that these artificial and transitory reactions drive men from the ideáis of human progress that should — 15 — constitute the noble and genuine aspirations of those who direct the destinies of the peoples of to-day.” “Does nct Ycur Excellency fear that there may be some truth in the Peruvian allegations and that as a matter of fact, some authorities may have fallen into the abuses imputed to them?” “ I am absolutely certain of the untruthfulness of the imputations. The present authorities in Tacna have been carefully chosen with a view to their culture and their devo- tion to that institutional respect solidly Consolidated in our country, which guarantees generously the rights and privileges of foreigners whatever may be their nationality. The Authorities in Tacna have clear instructions to carry out to the full these precepts of our institutional regimen, and I am able to affirm that they rigorously comply with them, as I am convinced that the countries of America can bear witness through their respective consular representatives.” “ I am convinced, moreover, that the very persons who make these imputations do not believe in them and are ac- tuated only. by the desire to maintain among the Peruvian populace a patriotic sentimentalism capable of replacing the warmth of the adhesión which in other countries is assured to authority by respect for the law and the corred carrying into effect of democrátic rule.” “ If credit were really due to the statements, the unjust imputations hurled in the face of .America against our func- tionaries, the corred procedure would have been to have brought them to our knowledge in the proper and usual way, established by the customs that obtain between the peoples. America and the world can and ought to believe that, if these libéis were true, my Government would hasten to corred them, in accordance with the invariable rule of respect for the law which traditionally characterises the usages of this country, and in conformity with the ideáis of true amity which I desire to renew with the brother country, withdrawn from us through circumstances not of our seeking and over which I persist in declaring that I wish to draw a — 16 — veil of oblivion for the happiness of Chile and of Perú and for the definite peace and progress of the South American Continent.” “It is necessary that the Peruvian people should convince themselves that Chile desires their friendship and the re- establishment of the oíd traditions and cióse ties that united them at different epochs of their history.” “They are doing bad work who continué sowing hatreds in order to turn aside the current of national opinión in one of these countries from the course that is most advantageous to it and to our continent.” “I have, sought and shall continué to seek the loyal and honest fulfilment of a treaty that is a supreme law for both countries; to found a definite reconciliation on the basis of justice and right, which is the supreme rule that gives faith and stability to the fraternity and the mutual relations of civilized peoples.” “ I have overeóme with energy and resolution obstacles that appeared insuperable and I shall not waver in my work of redemption and of continental solidarity, being certain that the forces of reason and justice will conquer. Wisdom will impose itself finally on the governors and the governed and the dawn of a new day will enlighten the tranquillity, the co-operation and the definite peace of the whole South American continent.” The Peruvians on the Tacna-Arica Railway

On December 20th, 1922, “La Prensa’’ of Lima, a paper that may be considered as official, pubíished an editorial in which, among other arbitrary statements with regard to the ruling authority in Tacna and Arica, it declared that the Peruvian employees of the Tacna-Arica railway had been dismissed en masse, by the new Manager “of Chilian extraction.” In view of this publication, the Manager of the Company owning the above-mentioned railway, Mr. Yorke Eliot, sent the following letter, spontaneously, to the Intendente of T ac na, Señor Bárcelo:

Tacna, January 12th, 1923.

Sir,— I have seen with great surprise an article in “La Prensa” of Lima dated December 2Oth, 1922, in which utterly incorrect reference is made to the staff of this Com pany, since it says: “ The Peruvian employees of the Tacna- Arica Railway have been dismissed en masse'* — 18 — As the authorities have never asked us for any information with renard to the nationality of the staff of the Company, I beg to offer you the following figures in case they may interest you, for the date January Ist, 1923.

EMPLOYEES:

Peruvians...... 45 C hilians...... 40 English...... 4 Bolivians...... 4 Argentines ...... 2 S p an iard s...... 1 Ita lia n s...... 1

T o t a l ...... 97

Of the 12 employees dismissed for various reasons, nine were Chilians and three Peruvians; their ñames are at your fuíl disposal. No empíoyé has been dismissed by reason of his nationality or his political ideas, and no political question has arisen in the relations of the Company with its employees. The Services of a railway are public Services, and it is in the interest of the public that every railway should be in a position from the financial point of view to lili the require- ments of its conservation and make the improvements indicated. Such improvements demand fresh capital if the profits do not suffice to cover them. No Company can obtain new capital if it does not pay a commercial interest to its shareholders. The interest paid by this railway for many years has been about 1 per cent, per annum. As our traffic has been diminished of late years, partly in consequence of the opening of the Arica-La Paz railway, and so íong as we do not receive fresh impulse from the so greatly desired sugar industry, it is evident that we have no remedy for the moment bui economy, and it would be ridiculous to suppose that we must continué to pay high — 19 - - pnces for Services that can to-day be carried out with much greater economy and with due competence. As a result of the economies effected it has already been possible to establish a new itinerary for the Service of autocars between Tacna and Arica, which is now bi-weekly instead of the former weekly Service. This Company does not interest itself ín political questions ñor is it to its interest to be concerned with thera. But it has every desire to improve its vital Services, a matter that could never be carried into effect if the Company neglected the most elementary principies of all business. In order that you may satisfy yourself of the accurapy of all the information given above, I have the honour to offer you every facility to revise at your convenience and by any responsible person of whatever nationality, the pay sheets and other data, assuring you that, though our gangs naturally change from day to-day in their exact composition, according to the work andjhe men available, there has never been in fact or in intention the least injustice done to anybody. W e have employees of seven nationalities, all equally protected by the laws of Chile and all treated by this Com pany with the most perfect impartiality. Finally, I have to State that personally I cannot claim the honour of being a Chilian or of Chilian extraction, having been born in London of purely English parents; neither my parents ñor myself have had the pleasure of seeing Chile before my arrival here a few months ago. I take this opportunity of ágain saluting Your Honour, reiterating my sentiments of the highest and most distinguished consideraron and respect. (“ Dios guarde al señor Inten dente.” ) (Signed.)— Yorke Eliot, Manager. To Señor Don Luis Barceló Lira, Intendente of the Pro- vince. — 20 — As well as the charges already dealt with, the Press published a second circular emanating írom Chancellor Salo món in which a new accusation is formulated against our authorities ín Tacna and Arica to the effect that four Chilian carabineers dispoiled of her property Doña Joaquina Ticona, residing in Ticaco. This charge was completely overthrown, as will appear from the report of the Intendente of Tacna, Señor Luis Barceló Lira, sent to our Chancellery, and which is to the following effect: “ In my official note, No. 107 of the 20th of the present month, I refer to the untruth of the statement contained in the circular of the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, dated the 13th of the present month, relative to the forcing of a person to cede her property in Ticaco, to be occupied by the Carabineers. “Later informed of the exact terms of this circular, I have seen in it the ñame of the widow, Joaquina Ticona, thé same person to whom I referred in my above-mentioned communication. I confirm the information given to Your Honour in that official note, and I now add other details to overthrow the Peruvian accusation. The entire property of the widow Ticona, which is very small, has an approximate valué of $500, and the part ceded to the carabineers, in order that they might build a room for themselves as an office, is a little corral in the uncul- tivated part, measuring 20 metres on the side, the rent of which could not exceed $5 currency per month. It would be absurd to suppose that the authorities would take by forcé this plot, to economise $5 a month, when the Inten dencia pays out monthly the following sums in rent for places for the carabineers in the localities named below: P u tre ...... $40 to Jiménez. Codpa ...... $15 to Aurelia Garcia Z. C a la ñ a ...... $15 to Rosario Castañon. P ista la ...... $10 to Mariano J. Colque. Chucatamani . . . $10 to the Chucatamani Com- pany. — 21 —

I must add, further, that all the persons whose ñames are given above as renters of property for this purpose are of Peruvian origin. Confirming that which was said in my note above referred to the widow Ticona, when asked to rent the corral spoken of, hastened to cede it gratuitously, saying that the establishment of carabineers would be of advantage to her as it would put a stop to the continual thefts of hay on the part of the neighbouring Indians. It was probably one of the latter who carried the lie about the Ticaco authorities.” Further confirming the facts invoked by Chile to discount the charges formulated by the Government of Perú are the declarations made to Señor Carlos Nercaseaux, Editor of “El Pacifico,” Tacna, by consular. officials in Tacna and Arica and by foreign business men living in the same región. W e now give the more important of these. The Enquiry carried out by “ El Pacifico”

THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN TACNA

We begin to-day a series of interviews heló with the object of determining how much truth there is in the statements made by the Government and Press of Perú respecting the general situation existing in the Province.

Interview With Don Andrés D. Laneri.

(“El Pacifico," Tacna, 21 Jdnuary, 1923.)

The authorities of this province, and with them all its di- rective organisation, are being made the victims of very grave charges formulated against them by the governors of Perú and by its Press. The new and insidious campaign which the Government of Perú has begun against Chile, especially against the authorities in Tacna, the astounding declarations of the Chancellor Salomón first, and those of President Leguia afterwards, as to attacks and violences that are being com- 24 —

mitted in this zone of our territory, have induced us to seek out persons oí equanimity, sincerity and impartiality to enlighten public opinión and to express their views on the incidents that are, according to Perú, taking place in this province. W e have not been able to endure any longer the odious situation in which Perú has placed us, and, in fulfillment of an elementary journalistic duty, we begin to bring to pub- blicity to-day interviews which we have had with some of the best known people of this province, D. Andrés D. Laneri. in order that they may see whether or no what the Government and Press of Perú have said is worthy of credit. W e begin the task with the opinión of a man well known to all, an example of honesty, energy and gentlemanliness, Don Andrés D. Laneri. Señor Laneri has lived in this pro vince since before the W ar of the Pacific, as he arrived from Italy in the year 1878, and it is here that, thanks to his intelligence and to his honest and energetic work, he has built up for himself an enviable prestige and position. A prominent member of the most numerous and flourishing colony residing in this province, an active and influential man of affairs, a well equipped agriculturalist and a considerable proprietor, Señor Laneri is one of the outstanding personalities of Tacna. 25 —

W e found Señor Laneri in the midst of his múltiple activities, notwithstanding which he gave us his full attention. “ It is our desire, Señor Laneri,” we said, “that you should answer a few questions we wish to put to you.” “With the greatest pleasure.” After thanking him for his courtesy, we asked: “W hat impression has the latest circular of Perú with regard to the treatment and protection enjoyed by the Peru- vians in this province made upon you?” “ I read in “El Pacifico” the text of the circular, in which it says that the authorities of this province let loose the workmen on the Peruvian inhabitants, and that the workmen commit all sorts of excesses, especially on women and children, there still being grave threats hanging over the resident Peru- vians. I can say at once, that, so far as I am aware, the authorities treat the Peruvians in this province exactly as they do the other residents. I know nothing of any ill treat ment of women and children.” “Do you believe it possible that the authorities have ordered acts of violence against Peruvian women and children?” “ I have a full conviction that the present authorities of the province are very cultured men who could not possibly order acts of violence to be committed against Peruvian women and children. Moreover, I have heard of no such thing, ñor do I believe that it has happened.” “ Do vou know of any complaint formulated by Peruvians to that effect?” “I know of nene, and I am inclined to think that that it would be difficult to make a complaint when no cause for one exists.” “ If you do not know of any personally, have you heard of any?” “ I have never heard anything about it.” “ Do you consider the work of the carabineers beneficial to the province?” “ In my opinión, the work done by the carabineers in this province is certainly beneficial, since it gives a guarantee for — 26 — honest men who do not fear the laws and who do not break the eternal principies of order and respect that are imposed on all the civilized peoples of the world.” “Do you know anything about the forcible turning aside into Chilian territory of the waters of the river Sama or the river Mauri, as the Peruvian Government asserts in its last circular?” “I knew nothing about it till this moment. You can understand that the changing of the course of a river is not the work of 24 hours, and the charge is so childish that it is not worth considering.” “ In general, what opinión have you formed with regard to the proceedings of the Chilian authorities in this province?” “ My opinión on this point is that the work of the Chilian authorities in this province is reduced to constant effort: and the grañting of guarantees and facilities to the residents who have for their object in life the daily work that brings prosperity and respect. That is all that I have to say to you.” — 27 —

With Don Diego Mesa Espada.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna, 23rd Jan., 1923.)

Having commenced our task of ascertaining the opinión of the more prominent foreign residents in the Province on the subject of the statements that are being made by the Peruvian Government, we had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of Don Diego Mesa Espada, an influential business man who has recently arrived in Tacna from Villa Industrial, a place where he has been directing the sulphur works of the firm Espada and Donoso, of which he is the legal representative. Señor Mesa Espada is D. Diego Mesa Espada. a distinguished Spanish gentleman who has lived for some years in the province, where he has put in practice with success his vast and admir able abilities. A member of a distinguished family, a man of energy, Señor Mesa Espada, in spite of his many business activities, 28 — has been elected recently vice-président of the Progressive and admirable institution, the Spamsh Benevolent Society. When Señor Mesa Espada was informed of the object of our visit, he gladly agreed to answer any questions that we might put to him. “ How long have you been in this province Señor M esa?” “ I have been here for ten years.” “ During the time you have been in Tacna, have you witnessed any acts of oppression on the part óf the authorities against Peruvian residents? If you have not actually seen any, have you ever heard of such acts of violence against Peruvian residents?” “I have never seen anything of the sort, ñor have I heard any such commented on.” “Please give us your frank and full opinión on the accusations made by the Peruvian Government to the effect that violence has been committed in this province on oíd women and girls. Do you believe that that is true?” _ “ I am absolutely certain that the statements of the Peru vian Government lack all basis in fact.” “ Is it true or not that the Peruvian inhabitants of this province live comfortably and quietly in it and prosper under the benefits that they receive from the Chilians themselves?” “ That is absolutely true; they all live in the utmost quietness, the valué of property has gone up, and most of them have saved a good deal of money, as you could see from the public meetings that were held at the time of the failure of the Bank of Tacna.” “ Do you know any of the out-of-the-way places in this province?” “ I know the sub-delegations of Palca, General Lagos, and almost the whole of the zone traversed by the Arica-La Paz railway in the Chilian section, as I worked on it during its construction.” “Have you seen or heard in any of the places you have visited of Peruvians being maltreated?” — 29- “ I have never, in any part, heard of Peruvians being attacked. They enjoy everywhere the same guarantees as the Chilians and citizens of other nationalities.” “W hat do you think about the possibility of a future plebiscite?” “ I think that it will be favourable to Chile, and that it will be so unanimously if the people clearly see their own interests.” “W hat is your opinión in general about the accusations so continually inade by Perú against Chile?” “Aithough, as a foreigner, I am not obliged to give any opinión on the matter, I must say, none the less, that I regard them simply as manoeuvres of internal politics, since they have no foundation.” 30 —

With Don Mateo Riesle.

("El Pacifico,” Tacna, Jan., 23rd, 1923.)

More than one person has spoken to us about the foreign citizens who live in this province, and referring to this well known and respected Germán merchant of the locality have told us that he was, in all probability, the one who had lived ¡longest in Tacna. W e went to see Señor Riesle, finding him engaged in his daily work. Informed of the object of our visit, Señor Riesle, with great amiability, offered us a seat and expressed his readiness to answer any questions that we were disposed to put to him. D. M ateo Riesle. “You know,” we said, “Señor Riesle, that we are engaged in a campaign for justice and truth. W e wish to obtain, and afterwards to communicate to our readers the opinions of the foreign re- 31 — sidents in this province on the subject oí the surprising statements recently made by the Peruvian Government.” “Very well,” he replied, “ask away.” “How many years have you lived in this Province, Señor Riesle?” “ I arrived in Tacna, coming from Bolivia, on July 28th, 1879, that is to say, then, more than 42 years ago, and I have never left the place since. I was born in the Duchy oí Badén, Germany, and when I was very little I went to Russia and other countries oí Europe. I carne afterwards to America, arriving at Callao, going on to Bolivia, and eventually, in 1879, I settled in this province.” “Do you remember whether in your 42 years in Tacna the Chilian authorities oí this province have committed acts oí violence against the Peruvian citizens residing here?” “ I do not remember any, ñor do I think that there have been any such acts. I can, however, tell you on the other hand that we foreigners who have lived for a long time in Tacna have on more than one occasion wondered at the self-control and patience oí the former Chilian administrators oí Tacna, who permitted their acts to be censured in a news- paper that appeared for many years in this city, called “La Voz del Sur,” a Peruvian paper carried on by the brothers Barreto. Perú has had agents here, like Doctors Espejo, Belaunde and others, and I can assure you that neither these gentlemen ñor the rest oí the Peruvian inhabitants were ever molested.” “Have you read, Sir, the recent notes and circulars sent by the Government oí Perú to all its legations with the object oí diffusing them and oí presenting Chile before the world as a country that commits every kind oí injustice in this province?” “I have read them all ín your paper, and they seem to me to be childish. They have made an elephant out oí a fly, only in this case the fly does not exist even. I will tell more home-truths than that in some Memoirs that I am writing.” 32 “Wfiat do you think of the work carried out by Chile in this province since it has been in her power? “Excellent. Anyone who has been in Tacna as long as I have can appreciate exactly the total transformation that has taken place here. Consider, for example, in the Com- mercial Street, now San Martin, the water ran down the middle. The present potable water tanks did not exist, the inhabitants drank the water fróm the Caplina, which was drawn out by “ aguadores,” and you must remember that it was into this same Caplina that all the rubbish and garbage was thrown, so that the water then drunk in Tacna was not exactly the cleanest and purest in the world. To get to the Cemetery you had to cross the Caramolle in its own bed, since there was no bridge, and when you got across you found, first a dungheap and then a wide stretch of arid and stony desert. The present beautiful road and avenue by which one arrives at the city of the dead is a paradise com pared with what there was there betore. “ I shall say nothing about the Pinto Park. It is like a dream to me that the oíd place where pigs were washed has been converted into the beautiful garden of to-day. The Plaza Colon, that beautiful and pleasant plaza, was only an open space that depressed anyone who carne to it. “And so evérything, Sir,” said, with admirable simplicity, Señor Riesle”— “everything has been improved out of recognition, and so everybody in Tacna to-day lives more at ease, more pleasantly and with greater convenience in life, and consequently the people look happier than they did. This must never be denied, because to do so would be ingrati- tude to Chile.” “W hat is your opinión about the present authorities who govern the Province?” “ I think that the present authorities, like those of the past, are good and that they Work with enthusiasm for the great- ness of Chile and to obtain for all its inhabitants prosperity and happiness.” — 33

“And if you know them, and have this opinión of them, do you believe them capable of having ordered acts of violence against Peruvian women, oíd people and children?” “Pardon me if I do not answer that question, it is childish to think about it. I am convinced of the culture, intelligence and chivalry of these authorities and I cannot waste time in arguing about such a matter.” W e could recognise in Señor Riesle a man who was speaking with profound sincerity conviction and honesty, and we did not insist further. The interview terminated here.

(2) — 34 —

With Don Ernesto Torre.

("El Pacifico,’’ Tacna, 24íh, Jan., 1923.)

In the cour»c of carrying out the task that we have imposed upon ourselves of publishing the opinión of the foreigners resident in this province, on the status of all its inhabitants, we visited yesterday Don Ernesto Torre, a distinguished and well known merchant of this heighbour- hood, in order to obtain his answer to a few questions. The personality of this well esteemed and justly appreciated Italian merchant is one of the best known among the members of the flourishing colony of D. Ernesto Torre. his fellow-countrymen in Tacna. An energetic and active man of affairs, Señor Torre, by his honest and intelligent labour, has won for himself an enviable situation, and it was for this reason that we wished to learn his opinions, since it would represent — 35

the ideas of a man of great ability, judgment and recognised intelligence. W e found Señor Torre ¡n his office, veritably surrounded by account books and commercial documents. After a courteous salutation, Señor Torre, who suspected the object of our visit, remarked “ I am at your disposal.” “You know already why we have called, Don Ernesto. But, before entering on the matter, we should like to read you some Lima newspapers, that have come to hand by the last steamer.” W e read to him, accordingly, the circular of the Peruvian Government in which it is asserted that several persons have been cowardly assassinated in Ticaco by Chilian workmen and several children of ten or twelve years of age violated. In the circular in question it is added that such acts have been instigated by the authorities who control the destinies of the province. W e then read to Señor Torre the following paragraphs of an editorial that appeared in “La Prensa” of Lima on the 17th of the present month, which paragraphs we reproduce, to the following effect: “W e are able to-day to offer our readers the text of the Chilian circular and at the same time we are glad to be able to reproduce in this editorial column the magnificent document with which our Char-cellery has replied before the Republics of this hemisphere to the Chilian protestations of innocence and to their insinuations as erroneous as they are malevolent. “The Government of Chile has contented itself with denying in its circulars the charges that it has systematically occupied itself in rendering life impossible to Peruvians in the captive provinces so long as they keep alive their love to the great and only fatherland. And President Alessandri himself in the course of conversation with an Argentine journalist, according to a cable that we publish to-day, believes it sufficient to rebut the Peruvian accusation by exhi- biting the instructions said to have been given to the authori- — 36 lies of Tacna and Arica to the effect that they should avoid every kind of difficulty with the Peruvian population “To the shameless statements and negations of the Chilians we are able to reply with the production of proved facts, giving in hundreds of cases the ñames of the victims and their oppressors, the nature of the outrage, the place, the date and the witnesses. ín face of evidence of this character, what valué have a few sheets of paper written in Santiago and made-úp instructions “for export only” which are not carried into effect or are superseded . by other private instructions frequently given to the authorities in Tacna, Arica and J arata? That the attacks against our countrymen, far from decreasing in number and in violence, are redoubled is shown in the latest information received from Locumba, and to which Chancellor Salomón refers in the addition to his circular of January Ist. A sentiment of decency and respect even towards the victims prevents the full publication of the reports with all the dreadful details which they contain and which only find a parallel in the Calvary of the Armenian people under the dominión of the Turk, such as is described in the moving pages of the North American diplomat, Morgenthal. “ Now the pro-consuls sent to our provinces by the Govern ment of Santiago are not content merely with the expulsión of our countrymen from the land of their birth and which has all their affection and interests, no longer are they content with taking violent possession of their property dragging from them by forcé declarations of sale at ridiculous prices. “Their hatred now demands blood, and they have shed it in abundance, murdering defenceless boys, and, above all, their bestial appetites demand another kind of violence and they have sacrificed to them girls of twelve, of ten and of eight years of age . . . “And, whilst the Chilians accuse our chancellery of stir- ring up a seditious polemic, said to be with a view to influenc- ing the arbiter, our Government carries its equanimity to the extreme of not divulging immediately the terrible facts de- 37 — nounced, in order not to excite public opinión here whilst any hope remains that the Government of Santiago may decide to rehabilitate itself before the conscience of humanity by pütting a stop to these outrages and punishing their au- thors. But the days go on and far from initiating from Santiago an investigation of the facts denounced, they affirm vainly that these things cannot be true because in the instructions given to the agents of the Government they are told to avoid difficulties— as in the martyrdom of Bruno who was ordered to be “chastised without effusion of blood” and whom, for this reason, was burnt alive.” “W hat have you to say to all that, Don Ernesto?” “Simply that it is horrible.” “That does not matter,” we replied, “we are accustomed to this sort of thing from the Government and Press of Perú. Let us get on with the enquiry. How long have you lived in Tacna?” “I arrived in this province, coming from Italy, my Home- land, 25 years ago.” “W hat do you think, Don Ernesto, about the accusations that the Government of Perú is making against the authorities which our Government has in this province; do you believe that these authorities have been able to order these violences and atrocities ? ” “ I do not know that there have been any such attacks and outrages. Moreover, in consequence of the nature of my business, I have had occasion to speak recently with several people who have come to Tacna from the regions in which they say these acts of violence have taken place, but they have not told me anything about them. You can be sure that, if such a situation actually existed, the first thing they would have done would have been to inform me of it.” “As a merchant of oíd standing,’ you must know a lot about commerce in this province. Do you believe that Peru- vian business people are interfered with and molested by the authorities?” — 38

“ I believe, more, I am sure, that all the business men of this province, without distinction of nationalities, enjoy the same liberty and facilities. I believe, further, that nobody has any reason to complain of the existing State of •affairs. There is full liberty, and whoever works and complies with the law, prospers, whether he is a Peruvian, a Chilian or any other foreigner.” “W hat do you think about the administration of this province?” “Excellent. I consider that the present authorities of the province are just, hard workers and very progressive. Further, during the 25 years that I have resided in the province, I have always found myself to be fully guaranteed and perfectly content under Chilian law and under its representatives, and I do not think that there is any reason for other people to think differently.” “ Do you notice any difference between the attitude taken by Chile and that assumed by Perú?” “ I consider that yours is correct and that it is limited to self-defence against unfounded charges and to working for the progress of this country, which has become a second Fatherland to me.” “Finally,” gentlemen, added Señor Torre, “what I have said to you is the truth, expressing with all sincerity my “true sentiments.” W e see in Señor Torre a true man, severe and exact in all his judgments and who speaks what he thinks without fear or second thoughts, using the independence of opinión and speech to which he is entitled as a result of his honest labour and uncommon intelligence. W e could see that the busy merchant had no more time to spare. and, after a cordial salute, we left him to his múl tiple tasks. - - 39

With Don Víctor Monteverde.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna, 25th Jan., 1923.)

Don Víctor Montever de is a man well known to all. A partner in the firm of Canepa Brothers, Vice-President of the Italian Club and Presi- dent of the Italian Bene- volent Society, Señor Monteverde counts, after i the Royal Consular agent, Don Andrés D. Laneri, as the most representative figure of the Italian colony. A man of superior culture, of gentlemanly and distinguished manners, an energetic and ¡ntelligent man of business, Señor Monteverde has gained the affection of the colony and of all D. Víctor Monteverde. the people of Tacna, and has made for himself an enviable and respectable economic situation. W e found Señor Monteverde in his office in the firm of Messrs. Canepa and as soon as we had made known to him — 40 —

the object of our visit, he at once assented to our request that he should answer the questions we wished to put to him. “How long have vou lived in Tacna, Señor Monteverde?” we asked. “ I arrived from Italy 18 years ago, and I have only twice left the province, to go home each time. My last voy age was in 1920, when I took my family home.” “Have you seen, have you heard of, have you any knowledge, during these 18 years, of any acts of violence committed by the authorities of this province against its Peruvian residents?” “ During the time I have spent in the province, that is tó say, 18 years, I have neither seen ñor heard that any such acts of violence as you speak of have been committed.” “W hat do you suppose to be the object of the Peruvian Government in affirming in its recent Notes of an official character such grave accusations against Chilian proceedings in this province and in formulating charges of such responsibility against the Chilian authorities who administer Tacna?” “ I cannct answer that question, because really I do not know what they are after. W hat I can tell you is that I know nothing of any outrages or acts of violence, and that I am convinced that the present authorities of this province are incapable of- ordering such acts as those denounced.” “Do you believe that they are acting with hoaesty in affirming that the Peruvians here are assassinated, molested and despoiled by the Chilian authorities or by the Chilians themselves?” “It is not true.” “W hat do you suppose the Peruvian Government is going to do when it is informed of the downright declarations that are being made to El Pacifico by foreigners so distinguished as those that have already been approached in this enquiry, all of them persons of undoubted independence, — 41

of respectable position and complete freedom to say what they like?” “They will not be able to refute these declarations since they have been made by persons of great prestige, seriousness and recognised responsibility. Moreover, they wiH see that all these testimonies agree among themselves, all have denied the occurrence of attacks that certainly never have been committed by the authorities. It is probable that they will give up the campaign.” “ Do you think that Perú can allege that these declarations have been obtained by forcé?” “ I do not believe so, since the importance of the people whom ycu have interviewed, their perso'nalities, the posi tion they occupy and the prestige surrounding them will lead to the certainty that they have spoken out fearlessly, and have certainly not been forced by any political measures whatsoever.” “W hat is your opinión with respect to the present autho rities of the province?” “ I have the highest possible opinión of the present autho rities of this province.” Personally I may say that, every time I have had to do with them, I have received every attention and I have found in them a manifest good will to serve and assist those who wish to Work and prosper in harmony with order, honesty and submission to the laws, and I believe that what has happened to me happens also to all the people of Tacna, without distinction of nationalities, who wish to live and prosper in the shadow of the laws with which Chile facilitates the labours of all those citizens who do not seek to evade them or to discredit them.” Señor Monteverde spoke to us of personal matters. He told us about the settlement of his home in Chile, where his children were born and to whom he would grant this nationality the day they ask for it. “ I cannot speak otherwise,” he added.” It has been in this country that I have made my fortune, under your 42 —

flag, where I have managed to ensure that in the future I shall be able to rest in comfort among my own people.” I could add much more, but you will understand me.” “Yes, Señor,” we replied, “we understand you perfectly well, you have been very good to us. W e wish only to demónstrate to the world that we are being unjustly defamed, and we can best do this through the testimony of men like yourself, worthy, truthful and honest. Many thanks.” Saluting him gratefully, we left the office. — 43 —

With Don Carlos Gierke.

“(El Pacifico" Tacna, Jan., 26f/i, 1923.)

The enquiry set on foot by “El Pacifico” with the object of learning the opinión of the most prominent inhabitants of this province on the re cent imputations made by the Peruvian Govern ment before the whole world against our country and the authorities of Tacna has not terminated and we shall not put an end to it until we have proved to the full, like the light of day, with thesevaluable testimonies, that what the Gov ernment of the Rimac has asserted to the world. with such unheard of precipitation, falls as D. Carlos Gierke. quickly to the ground and with the same facility employed to pile up the mass of untruths that rests on our country and on the dignity and honour of our institutions and governors. 44 —

This enquiry will end, then, on the .day on which the most prcminent peopie oí the province have expressed, freely and spontaneously, their mode of thinking on the question that has given occasion for it. Yesterday we had the pleasure of ¡nterviewing the distinguished Germán gentleman living in Arica, Don Carlos Gierke, an outstanding personality in society and commerce in the neighbouring port, a man of remarkable intelligence, of severe and corred judgment, of great heart and sober judgment. We found him in his office in the Plaza de Armas, at the end of his morning work. “W hat good luck to find you in, Señor Gierke: W e have come to interview you for the enquiry.” “Ah! You are from “El Pacifico” in Tacna?” “Just so, Señor. One of the chief objects of our journey to Arica has been to meet you.” “All right, come in, “said Señor Gierke, a fine oíd gentlemen with a noble face, introducing us into his office. “ I have been reading with great interest in your paper, the interviews that you have been publishing, and I congratúlate you sincerely on them.” “W e thanked him for his courtesy. “ W e are doing what we can. You see, it is a kind of personal matter which affects our most intímate feelings.” “ I understand,” he said, and, with great amiability of manner, he answered our questions in the manner following: ‘How long have you been in Chile, Señor Gierke?” Fifty years, and forty of them in this province. I carne to Arica in the year 1880, and since that date I have been in cióse and constant touch with the Chilian authorities of the province and with the Peruvian inhabitants who have hved, and still live in it.” , In 1887 I went for some time to Pisagua, and it was in that port that I was able for some years to take note of the sincere friendship that, in spite of the war, existed between Chilians and Peruvians. The 28th of July and the — 45 —

18th of Septenber were celebrated with equal enthusiasm and magnificence by all the inhabitants. Victors and con quered lived fraternally up to the day when the government of Perú had the unfortunate idea of refusing the wreath offered generously by Chile as a symbol of future peace and mutual progress. From that day on feelings have cooled until matters have ended in the present State of affairs, but it must be remembered that it was not Chile that threw the first stone.” “ Do you believe that the present authorities of this province could have ordered the carrying out of the attacks of which we are áccused?” “To answer that question I must first of all tell you that my wife is a Peruvian and that I act as cónsul in.this port for Germany and Holland. For these reasons, naturally, I have paid special arttention to the acts of the authorities, and I must confess that since I have lived in this province I have nevér seen attacks or violence committed against anybody ñor against any set of people, still less to-day, when we are all Iiving in peace. More, at present I have many good Peruvian friends, and I have never heard any of them complain of the proceedings of the authorities. My specia] cjrcumstances prevent me speaking more clearly, as I should like to do, otherwise I should make more precise statements and express myself more fully.” “Do you think that in this province Peruvian commerce is interfered with?’’ “ I have never heard of it.” “W hat do you think about the work of the carabineers in this province?” “ I think that they are entrusted with a task of positive benefit and tending to the full and personal security of all the inhabitants. The public Services based on order and respect can only be detested by those who do not wish to practise those true civic virtues.” — 46 —

“Can the Peruvian government refute the declarations made in the course of this enquiry by well known and influential foreigners?” “It is probable that an attempt will be made to do so, but without any reason, since those who have taken part in your enquiry are all independent people, honest and incapable of falsifying the facts,— in a word, gentlemen.” “W hat is your opinión with regard to the authorities and public Services in this province?” “I should say that throughout all Chile there are no better authorities or officials who carry out their duties better. Nobody has any right to complain of the present authorities, and whoever does so is a bad man. W e have a good Intendente, Governor, Custom House Inspector, Rail- way Inspector, a good Judge, and in fact, all the officials are good and hard working. My declarations on this point may naturally appear to my countrymen a little exaggerated—I may be accused of party feeling or of prejudice-^-but I should tell them that it is necessary to know this province as well as I do to be able to say what I have said.” In continuation, the distinguished gentleman spoke of the generosity that Chile has always shown to her conquered enemy of 1879, very different, unfortunately, from that shown by the victor of 1918 to poor and unfortunate Ger- many. In this connection Señor Gierke made certain de clarations to us that we lament the more as they were utter- ed by a man who, far from his country, laments to-day the fate of his brothers. W e kept a respectful süence. Señor Gierke was silent also— overeóme by his feelings of wounded patriotism. W e expressed our thanks to this courteous gentleman and retired from his office, satisfied yet sad. — 47 —

With the United States Cónsul in Arica Mr. Egmont von Tresckow.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna, Jan. 27ih, 1923.)

After interviewing the Cónsul of Germany and Holland in Arica, Don Carlos Gierke, we went on to the Cónsul ate of the United States in the neighbouring port with a view to obtáining an in terview with the cónsul of that country, Mr. Eg- montvon Tresckow. More than onepersonmay thirtk that we should not have attempted to obtain the opinión of a consular representative of the coun try which shortly will have the high and grave mission of serving as arbiter in the differences arising out of the Treaty Mr. Egmont von Tresckow. of Ancón, but to those holding that opinión we reply that in search of truth and justice, which we do not fear to see exposed to the light of day, we approached this consular representative also, in order 48 — to learn his opinión with regard to the accusations recently made against us by the Peruvian Government. The distinguished representative of the United States in the province is well known to all, since Señor Von Tresckow has won many friends in Arica and Tacna by reason of his affable and gentlemanly character. W e found Señor Tresckow engaged in his official task. “W e have come to interview you, Señor Von Treskow, in the ñame of ‘El Pacifico,’ we said, after presenting our respecté. W e noticed a very amiable but cautious smile on the face of the Cónsul. W e understood perfectly. Señor Von Tresckow was remembering that he was the Cónsul of the United States. “ Do you believe, Sir, that the charges made by the Peru vian Chancellory with regard to supposed attacks and violences ordered by the Chilian authorities of this province on resident Peruvians, can be true?” “ I have not read the Peruvian circular in which the charges of which you speak are m ade: I only know it from the extract published a few days ago in “El Pacifico.’’ ” “And what can you tell us about the publication in our paper that you refer to?” “ I should be very glad to answer you, but, as a Cónsul, I am absolutely unable to do so. The consular representatives of the United States are prohibited from making declarations on any subject. My country is very strict in this matter.” “If, in view of the difficult and important charge entrusted to you, you are unable to answer our first question, can you tell us your opinión of the authorities of this province and whether you believe that they could order acts of violence to be committed such as Perú accuses them of and of which you are aware from the extract published in ‘El Pacifico’?” “ I can answer that to the extent of saying that my relations with the authorities in this province are of the most cordial nature.” — 49 —

Señor von Tresckow again expressed his desire to serve us and regretted his ¡nability to go further. W e chatted on other subjects, and the cónsul complimented us on the manner in which news was presented in our joumal. Thanking Señor von Tresckow we took a cordial farewell of him. Once in the Street we made a reflection. Señor von Tresckow had a wish to serve us and would like to answer our questions, but, above all, for him exists a sacred obligation, that of loyally respecting the orders and instructions of his government, such as it gives to all its consuls and other diplomatic officials in every country in the world. He has fulfilled his duty, and we, as journalists, have done all that we could. — 50 —

With Don Silvio Raiteri.

("El Pacifico,” Tacna, Jan. 28ih, 1923.)

It would be difficult to find anyone who does not know Don Silvio Raiteri— Don Silvio as he is generally and af- fectionately called. W e approached him in the full confidence that we were entering the house of an oíd and esteemed friend. “Good afternoon, Don Silvio.” “Come in, I ara very pleased to see you.” “Thanks, Don Silvio, we have come for you know what.” “Yes, I know, to hold an ‘inquest’ on me.” “Just so.” “I have great pleasure D. Silvio Raiteri. in placing myself at your orders.' And the simple-mannered and kindly merchant, the man who has built up a fortune cent by cent, with the sweat of his brow, invited us into a Iittle room, modest but of pleasant aspect. — 51 —

The good man did not know how to do enough for us. He offered refreshments, cigarettes and lavished attentions upon us. “W e have not come for fun, Don Silvio. W e want to talk to vou seriously.” “Yes, I know, go ahead.” “How many years have vou been in Tacna?” “Thirty, I carne from Italy to Arica in the year 1893. I had here, before I arrived in this blessed land, a brother, Juan, established in Tacna. Soon after my arrival I started a hotel, the “ Baños Tibios,” an establishment that I kept up for 12 years. Afterwards I bought the hotel that you all know, and which bears my ñame, the Hotel Raiteri.” “You must have seen a good many things in your time, and heard more, in so many years, is it not so, Don Silvio?” “Ah! If I could only talk.” W e could see a cloud of memories pass across the jolly face of the good Don Silvio, shading for a moment his blue eyes, the eyes of a good and sincere man. “W hat is your opinión about the work that Chile has done in Tacna?” “That is a question that cannot be answered.” “What has Chile done, then?” “Chile has done everything. W ho could recognise in the present city that of thirty years ago?” The Alameda, where I had my establishment “ Baños Tibios,” was a garbage heap. You could not go out to walk in it at night, because then the people carne to throw their refuse into the Caplina, which ran open along the middle of the avenue. Oh, it was horrible, filthy. Please note also that the water we drank was the same that ran down the Caplina, the very same that carried off all the refuse and filth of the town. On Thursdays and Sundays, days on which the Caplina flowed, the people took the opportunity of providing themselves with water for the rest of the week, and you could see that this water, stored in barréis, standing stagnant inside the houses near — 52 —

the refuse heap, was the breeding place of millions of enormous mosquitos that were as big as cats! “So, then, Don Silvio, you are convinced that the Chilian administration of this province has been beneficial?” “That goes without saying. Beneficial in the extreme.” “W hat do you think would have happened to this Pro vince if it had been Ieft in the hands of Perú?” “Simply that Tacna would have remained the muleteers’ town that it was before. To-day Tacna is a clean town, very agricultural, capable of supplying a great part of the North with vegetables.” “W hat have you to say about the different administrations that there have been in the province?” “They have all been excellent.” “Including the present?” “ I do not wish to say. But since you journalists are so clever, you can guess at what I think. In my opinión it is the best we have had.” “Have you read, Don Silvio, the latest circular issued from the Peruvian Chancellery ?” “That published in “El Pacifico?” I do not believe a Word of it. I have never seen or heard tell of any of the things affirmed by Perú.” “ Do you believe that Peruvian buSiness people work and live here in complete liberty?” “ I not only believe so, but I know it for a fact. I see the Peruvians busy all the time, and they prosper easily, coming and going on their business trips continually, a fact that indicates clearly that these people are flourishing and carrying on their affairs in complete liberty. W hat more is there to say?” “Do you know of any honest Peruvian business people or any residents of that nationality who have always respected the laws and yet have been forcibly expelled from the province by the authorities?” “I do not know a single case.” — 53

“Which do you consider the superior race, the Chilian or the Peruvian?” “The Chilian, because during the 30 years that'I have lived here I have observed that the Chilians are the more clever, active, loyal, strong, superior, more faithful to their obligations than are the Peruvians. Well, I cannot express myself very well, but I want to tell you that now, after 30 years of work, I am allowing myself a rest, and in the course of the quiet life I lead I have had occasion to make many reflections. I shall soon make a holiday trip to Italy, but, believe me, the only thing that will trouble me will be to leave for a time this ¡and which I love so much and which I shall always love because I have had only happy days in it and have lived tranquilly and safely under the shelter of that beautiful flag of yours.” The words of our venerable oíd friend moved us deeply. He had spoken them from his heart, and more than we had hoped for. During tire whole of our interview we saw in our friend not merely a man obliged to be polite to a repórter, but a foreigner thanking the country which has allowed him to amass a fortune which permits him to take a rest during his oíd age. 54 —

The Opinión of the Japanese Colony.

With Don Alberto Hayashi.

(“El Pacifico," Tacna, Jan. 29th, 1923.)

The graver and more numerous the charges brought against a man before a tribunal, the longer time is necessary for his defence. This is our case in the matter of the circulars launched against us before the whole world by the Peruvian Chan- cellery and it is evident that we must bring together the greatest possible number of testimonies from foreign residents that certify that there is no truth in the Peruvian allegations against the Chilian authorities of this province and in the alleged proceedings of our country in Tacna. The Japanese colony in Tacna is justly considered to be honourable, cultured and flourishing. W e sought out, therefore, the most representative members of this colony with the object of obtaining their views 55 — with regard to the questions which we proposed to ask them. W e found Messrs. Zaga Ishihashi and Alberto Hayashi, Japanese citizens who have lived six years and ten years respectively, in the province. “Would you be so obliging as to answer for us a few questions?” “W ith great pleasure,” answered one of these excellent Japanese merchants. “ Have you any complaints to make against the authorities of this province?” “None, we live very contentedly and in perfect harmony with all the world.” “Do you believe that these authorities have been capable of ordering the commission of acts of violence against the Peruvian inhabitants of this province?” “Not only do we not believe it, but we are sure that it is not true. W e have never seen the authorities molest anybody or take measures against anyone.” “ Do you consider that the Peruvian business men living in this province live and carry on their affairs with the same comfort as yourselves?” “W e have several Peruvian business people near our establiárments, and they have been there for a long time, earning a good living and making money quickly.” “Are you contented here?” “W e live quite happily, we are all contented and like living in your country, which is a sincere friend of our own. W e are sure that with the passage of time, when these territories have definitely passed into Chilian hands, our colony will increase in number, because all Japanese know that Chile is a safe country, in which they can live as well, or better, than in Japan itself.” “ Is this province a quiet place?” “ I do not think there is a quieter place anywhere, replied Señor Hayashi with a smile. 56 —

“ Is it true, or have you heard that honest and worthy Peruvians, honest people who respect the laws, have been expelled?” “During the whole time we have been here we have heard of no such thing happening.” “Do you think that the province has improved since it has been in Chilian hands?” “During the years I have been here,” said Señor Hayashi, ‘ that is to say 10 years, I have seen this city make such progress that it would be no exaggeration were I to say that if we went back from the present time to the date when I arrived, we should consider that the Tacna of 1911 was a town inferior to Pachia or Calama; or, in other words, in ten years the Chilians, by the expenditure of intelligence and hard work, have improved the place a hundred per cent.” “W hat do you think about the Chilian and Peruvian races •\? 99 Both Japanese answered immediatély and together: “The Chilian race is much the better, much superior, braver, more hard working, much more intelligent. In fact, you are worth much more than other races. Moreover, if the Peruvians say that they are the equal of yourselves, why did they not do in this province what you have done? And Perú is the same almost all over,— backward, unfriendly towards modernity and to the advantages of civilization and science. The Japanese for this reason, prefer to live among the Chilians.” “Thank you sincerely.” “W e need say no more because you journalists are so clever.” — 57 —

With Don Juan Bacigalupo.

(“El Pacífico,” Tacna, 30th Jan., 1923.)

Continuing our self imposed task oí acquaint- ing our readers and the world at large with the truth, we now give the opinión of a hardworking merchant of this place who is in a better situation than most to express 1 himself on the very grave tcharges made on our I governors and authori- Ities by the Government ' of Perú by means of its unfortunate circular. Señor Juan Bacigalu- do. an ítalian, who has lived in Tacna since 1900, is an active and honourable merchant who dedicates himself to the business of a general D. Juan Bacigalupo. dealer and the purchase and sale of agricultural and stock produce in this province as in the Republics of Perú and Bolivia. He is, therefore, peculiarly well fitted to declare with all honesty what has happened and is happening in the province with reference — 58 — to its administration, past and present, and the acts of the Chilian authorities. “Don Juan, we have come to ask you to make a few statements for the enquiry put in hand by ‘El Pacifico,’ we said to him. “Good evening. I can tell you frankly that all that my countrymen have said to you on the subject is the naked truth, and I do not think there is much to add to it.” “ How long have you lived in T acna?” “ I first carne here twenty-two years ago and have not moved elsewhere since. I was first employed in a general store kept by Don Nicolás Schiappacassi and soon was able to start on my own account in the same line and in agricultural producís and stock.” “ In that case, Don Juan, can you tell us anything about the local progress you have witnessed and about the different administrations?” “Certainly I can,” answered Señor Bacigalupo. “I know the people here and on the other side too, since I have business dealings with them almost every day. With respect ito the administrations of this province, that is to say of this icity, without going further back than the Intendentes Señores iMaximo Lira, Eduardo Orrego, Fernando Edwards and the present Intendente Señor Barceló, I should say that ¡Tacna has made very important local progress. Thus, for ¡example, this very Street (Carreras) was scarcely paved ¡save for three or four blocks from San Martin to the north, ¡side walks were unknown, and down the middle of the ¡road ran an open sewer, carrying off the refuse from the ihouses and any kind of filth. To-day we have paving, good side walks, drainage service and above all, good pot able water which has been improved by the installing of ¡meters.” “And about the authorities, can you tell us anything about the measures they díctate or about the application of the laws, whether administrative, judicial or military?” 59 —

“Certainly. I will begin by telling you that some thirteen years ago I rented some houses to the Army, which are ■occupied by the Lancer regiment. The upkeep of the buildings, the payment of the rent and the treatment I have ■received from the many chiefs and officers, has been such that I should be ungrateful if I did not recognize the fact that all has been most corred, and it is a real pleasure to me to be able to say so publicly. ! “As regards the governors, I may say that on several occasions when I have had occasion to refer to them on ¡affairs connected with my business, I have always received the most courteous attention and assistance. Here we live in complete security, not interfered with by anyone, and I ¡may be allowed to add that foreign business men, above ¡all the Peruvians, enjoy complete liberty of action in com- ¡merce, and I have never heard anyone complain of acts of hostility, and you must know that in business circles everything gets known and gets around very quickly.” “Can you add anything on the subject of the outrages ¡and attacks which, it is said in Perú, there have been committed against women, children and oíd people of Peruvian nationality?” ¡ “You must be joking, I should be one of the very first ■people to hear of such outrages, because every day there ¡arrive at my tambo (inn) Indians from the Chilian hill country like El Mauri, the Chucatamani ravine and from ¡Perú and Bolivia, bringing me alpaca wool, llama and ¡sheep wool, hides of all sorts and anything else that they produce An Indian, habitually, talks, and above all, if you threaten him he complains that you have hit him, tells the pólice at once and spreads the news over the whole district. I have never heard from the Indians of the Tarata cordillera, from Perú or from Bolivia that they had ever suffered any molestation of the gross kind that you tell me about and which I have read about in “El Pacifico.” It is a baseless calumny, and one which even the Peruvians themselves laugh at. 60 --

“ In a word, I will say that the present administration of Señor Don Luis Barceló, together with that of the Munici- pality, Pólice and Resguardo, with which I have to deal daily, are doing their work in Tacna in a most. excellent manner, and have no need to envy any other town in Chile. “Then you think, Señor, that the province has improved under Chilian rule?” “To be sure it has. I come in touch with its improvement in every direction. You now have roads in every part and can travel where previously you went with'extreme difficulty, losing at least one animal every trip. The transport beast used to be worn out and useless in no time, and of course freights were higher in consequence. “Another important and beneficial measure has been the coming of the carabineers, which has been a direct gain to every honest merchant, since smuggling has been put down which formerly competed seriously with legitimate commerce.” “From what you tell us, Don Juan, it would seem that you are contented in Tacna.” “Frarkly. and putting my natural modesty on one side. I am happy. In Tacna I have made my home and married my wife, who is the daughter of an Italian. Here, under the Chilian flag, my children have been born and have received sound Chilian instruction. In Chile I have invested my savings and even made a small fortune,”—he said smilingly— “iust enough to let me die in peace and leave enough for my family. Two of my sons received their first education in Iquique and now, in Italy, thanks to the good grounding they received here, they are occupying good positions. I have a third in Iquique, the rest are in school in Tacna. This is why I consider Chile as my second country and why I have said what I have from my heart and in honour of truth.” “ In one article mention has been made of the difference of race between Chilians and Peruvians. Have you any ideas on the subject?” - — 61 —

“As a foreigner it is scarcely fitting that I should express an opinión on the matter» but I must say that I think that the Chilian working men are much superior to the Peruvian. The “roto” is strong, used to work, though too much given to alcohol,— industrious, astute, exceedingly tough, just like a European.” Señor Bacigalupo discreetly enquired whether we had dined, since it wás half-past eight in the evening, for which reason we shook him by the hand and departed, well satisfied with his testimony. 62 —

With Don Jorge Finlayson Nugent.

(“El Pacifico," Tacna, Feb. Isí, 1923.)

W e took the opportunity of a trip to Arica to learn the opinión of some oíd residents of the port on the subject of the statements made by the Peruvian Chancellery with regard to the treatment received by Peru- vians in this province. Everybody knows about the assertions made by Perú about Chile, affirming the occurrence of abuses and attacks that are committed by the authorities of Tacna, Arica and Tarata on the Peruvians living in this región. Our good fortune led us to meet Mr. George D. Jorge Finlayson. Finlayson, ex-Consul of the United States, present Belgian Cónsul and a well known business man, born in Arica, who gladly agreed to answer some questions that we wished to ask him. Whoever knows Mr. George Finlayson, his commercial position and the — 63 — general esteem in which he is held, will give full valué to his statements. A sincere and open man, it is impossible to suppose that he would be capable of twisting or of deliberately exaggerating anything in his testimony, which we trans cribe with great satisfaction. “W hat is your opinión with regard to the present authorities in this province?” “The best that you can imagine. I believe that the pre sent Intendente and Governor are splendid officials, indefatigable workers and perfectly correct in all that they do.” “You do not believe that Peruvians are attacked and maltreated in this province and that the authorities have ordered this treatment of them?” “ Here— I refer to the entire province—nobody is interfered with, ñor do I believe that the authorities have ordered any such proceedings, outrages and violences that certainly I have heard nothing of and which nobody else has either.” “ Do you believe that in this province the Peruvians live as freely and comfortably as the rest of the inhabitants?” “ I believe that they enjoy exactly the same freedom and privileges as the rest.” Mr. Finlayson told us much about the progress of Arica since it has been under Chilian control, and many similar things also which he reauested us not to publish. It was time to take the train, and we had to leave Mr. Finlayson, whom we desire to thank in these columns for the sincere and spontaneous declarations wjth which he favoured us.” — 64 —

With Don Albino Salcilli.

(“El Pacifico,” Taúna 2nd, Feb., 1923.)

A well preserved man of some sixty years of age, Don Albino Salcilli, an Italian merchant of Arica, received us with his characteristic politeness and with that open- ness that has gained for him the well-earned re- jutation of saying what íe thinks without fear or tavour. “W e ha ve come, Se ñor Salcilli, to ask you to enrich the enquiry of “ El Pacifico” by answering a few questions relating, as you probably know already, to the assertions of the Lima Chancelllery spread throughout the world about the bad be- D. Albino Salcilli. haviour of the Chilians towards the Peruvians of this province.” “Sir, replied Don Albino, “I am an oíd resident of this place and I could say a great deal to you to prove that the circular you refer to is nothing but a tissue of lies against — 65 — the Governors of Tacna and Arica, whom they accuse of having impelled the troops and populace to commit savage outrages. In the first place we who are near at hand would have been the first to know of such happenings, since it is impossible to hide facts such as those that have been denounced, and it is childish to suppose that America will be taken in with tales so devoid of truth. Nobody has anything to teach me about public administration in Chile, ñor can anybody say that my opinions are begotten of the desire to be anything but what I am. Thanks to my work and industry, I am independent, I am free to speak as I like, and I desire to do so without failing in the truth. I have never made any attempt to “climb” ñor would this be an occasion to make the effort to do so. I am the father óf five Chilian sons, I have been more than forty years resident in Chile, and my present tranquillity is due simply to the freedom which the laws and authorities in Chile have given to me, and to all those who labour honestly to earn a living in whatsoever sphere of life they may be found.” “ Do you consider, Señor Salcilli, that in Chile, and especially in the North, the liberties of foreigners, and especially of Peruvians, have ever been deliberately interfered with?” “ I can answer you roundly that I have never seen ñor heard say that the Chilian authorities have placed obstacles in the way of free commerce or have failed in their duty to individuáis, whether Chilians or foreigners. It is for this reason that I am filled with astonishment at the fact that the Rimac Chancellery complains to-day of outrages of the most savage kind committed by Chilians against men, much less women and children, on the frontier. And, in fact, as an illustration, which you are possibly unaware of, I must tell you that such is the liberty enjoyed there by the Peruvians that there have been actually complaints from business people against some of them who make a profession of smuggling in Tacna and Arica, and from this port to Tacna, and they have never had an obstacle placed in their way or (3) — 66 — even received harsh words from the authorities, ñor have they even been ordered to cease from their illegal traffic. Furthermore, Gentlemen, I have watched Chillan administration, both in Chile and in Perú itself, and I have no recol- lection of exactions demanded by your authorities even after the triumph of Miraflores.” “ Is that so?” “Yes, gentlemen, I was an employee of a commercial house in Callao when Chile occupied Lima, and I can tell you with no fear of being gíven the lie, that commerce went on and people continued to live as usual, quietly, as well protected under Chilian domination as under Peruvian. The only tyrany exercised by the Chilian power in Lima and Callao was that the occupants required the cleansing of the city, imposing heavy fines on those who did not clean up the side walks, streets and squares near their dwellings, and it was in this way that within a few days these cities, before half abandoned to dirt, were cleaned up and they could be seen with clean faces, a thing that had never been accomplished under the Peruvian Government. “So, then, Don Albino, you have lived in Perú under Chilian domination and subsequently in Chile?” “Yes, Señores, and I have never been a victim of unjust attacks or abuses of authority, and that is why I feel contented and happy, with my head held high, and with the added satisfaction of being able to say that Chile can ask from me at any moment three citizens who belong to her, because they have now served under her flags in fulfilling their military obligation. They are my sons.” 67 —

The Truth of What has Happened in Tacna.

(“El Pacífico," Tacna, Feb. 3rd, 1923.)

There are people who believe that our enquiry follows a determined plan and that we have limited ourselves to interviewing certain well known persons, who by reason of their social position, the posts they occupy and the number of years they have lived in the province, are visited in a fixed order. There was nothing further from our intention when we resolved to set the enquiry on foot. The idea of this enquiry aróse spontaneously and freely the day on which we became aware in detail of the foolish imputations of the Peruvian Chancellor, and from that day on, with all the speed and lack of order to be expected in a man who is obliged to write every day for an invisible public, we began to interview, without selection or method, the foreigners residing in this province, with the object of destroying, with their testimony , the false statements that have given occasion to the enquiry itself. This explanation, which we give gladly and respectfully is directed to all the foreigners who have considered themselves to have been postponed or passed over in our proceedings. In what some have supposed to show a certain preference, there is only that which we are about to explain — an inquiry free entirely from prejudice, preparation or consideration for difference of classes and social condition, and with no other end in view than that of sincerity on both sides,— on that of the person interviewed and on our own. — 68 —

With Señor Pedro Pessino.

(“El Pacifico," Tacna, Feb. 9th, 1923.)

Señor Pedro Pessino is an active and amiable merchant who has a big store in the most central part of the town where, assisted by a staff of employees, he daily at- tends his numerous customers. W e found Señor Pes sino in the midst of his daily Business. He led us to the interior of his big store and began the interview himself. “ I think I know why you have come here,” he said with a humorous smile. “Just as we have done with those before and those .who will come D. Pedro Pessino. after, it is now the turn of this distinguished merchant,” we replied. “None of your flattery,” said he. “Get on with your questions.” “How long have you lived in Tacna, Don Pedro?” “I carne from Italy to this provínce about 24 years ago and I have only left it for a few months or days.” — 69 —

“W hat do you think, or what opinión have you formed, about the declarations that for some time past the Peruvian Chancellery has been making about alleged attacks committed by the authorities of this province against the Peru vian inhabitants?” “Please do not ask me things like that, because if I have to answer I might use rather hard words about the people who have the cheek to invent such yarns. These things ought not to be taken any notice of, they are simply lies which nobody could possibly believe, least of all we who live in this province at the side of the very places in which it is said that these things have happened.” “Do you think it likely that the present or former authori ties of this province could order at any time the attacks and abuses imputed to them in the official documents of the Peruvian Chancellery?” “That is another thing to which I should prefer not to answer. I am sincere and no-one can say that I am flattering when I say that I have no words sufficient to express my gratitude to the authorities of this province, especially to the present ones. Take, for instance, Señor Barceló and Colonel Fernandez. Both are most excellent persons and perfect gentlemen. “ Now,” continued Señor Pessino, “let them come and spin their yarns to me. I have had any number of Peruvian employees in my store and I can assure you that I have never molested them, ñor has anybody else. “You can easily understand that in 24 years that I have lived in a town like this, where things are talked about almost before they have happened, I have had a good chance of forming pretty clear ¡deas about things in general, and my opinión in this matter is that it is all a string of fables which only children could be expected to believe.” “Having lived so long in Tacna, Don Pedro, you must have had a good opportunity also of appreciating the pro gresa of the province, is that not so?” “You bet I have. It is true that I found Tacna rather 70 — clean and up-to-date, because I found it in the hands of Chile, but the truth is that during the last 20 years Tacna has progressed a great deal, inuch more than you can imagine. “ I dont want to refer to what this was before, some 20 years ago for instance, as there remained then many a sorry relie of an obsolete administration. “Do you know anything about expulsions of honest and law-abiding Peruvians?” . “I do not know, ñor have I ever known any honest and law abiding Peruvian who.has been expelled.” “Tell us, Señor Pessino, do you think Tacna would have progressed as much as it has done in the hands of any other country?” , “I do not see what stimulus any other country could have given to this province. I believe that in other hands there would result at once a general disaster, a chaos, something horrible. More, I believe all thé merchants in the place would have to sell up and that a time would come when Tacna would be abandoned to muleteers as it used to be 40 years ago. “What do you think about the work of the Carabineers in the province?” “ I can tell you this. On many occasions I have asked Indians who come over with different sorts of merchandise from Perú with regard to the treatment they receive from the Carabineers, and they all reply that the forcé is the best aid they have in the difficult and rocky roads of the province. They tell me that the Carabineers are their best guarantee of safety. Finally,” said Señor Pessino, “I wish to say the best I can about your country, its governors and all, and in so doing I shall express all that I think and feel in entire sincerity. This, I add, is because Chile has laws and governors which could be envied by the most civilized countries in the world.” 71

With the British Cónsul and Manager of the Tacna-Arica Railway, Mr. Yorke Eliot.

(“El Pacifico, Tacna, 4lh Feb., 1923.)

In the afternoon of yesterday we asked the British Cónsul and M a nager of the Tacna- Arica Railway, Mr. Yorke Eliot, to grant us an interview with the object that this distinguished gentleman should give us a few ideas with regard to the enquiry. W e found Mr. Eliot taking tea with his distinguished wife. Mr. Eliot, with true British courtesy and kindness, invited us to his table and to take tea with them. “There can be no need to tell you, Mr. Eliot, that the reason of our visit is to interview you for the purpose ot Mr. Yorke Eliot. our enquiry.” “Ah yes, I guessed that you would come to see me.” “ How long ha ve you been in Tacna, Sir?” “Five months. I carne from the Argentine.” — 72 — “ Have you read in the papers published in Perú the accusations that have been made to the effect that the employees of the Railway (OÍ which you are Manager have been dismissed en masse?” “Yes, I know all about that, and, for that very reason. I sent a note to the Intendente of the Province in which I gave him a detailed account of the true situation of the staff of the railway under my charge. In order that you can gather an idea of the lack of honesty with which the statements have been made, I formally declare to you that the present staff of the railway comprises the following nationalities:

P eru v ian s...... 45 C h ilian s...... 40 E n g lish ...... 4 B olivians...... 4 A rgentines...... 2 Spaniards...... 1 Ita lia n s...... 1

T o t a l ...... 97

“As I said in my note, which you published in your issue of last Friday, the 12 employees recently dismissed, for various reasons, were nine Chilians and three Peruvians. “ Not only so, at present one of the leading employees in the railway is a Peruvian and the two foremen on the line are also of this nationality. “ Furthermore, all the Peruvian employees under my orders have held their posts for many years and have never been interféred with by anybody.” “ Do you believe that the authorities of Tacna and Arica could commit the violences and outrages which are attributed to them in the circular of the Lima Chancellery and in the press of that country?” — 73 —

“The mere fact of knowing the present authorities of this province, of knowing that they are cultured and courteous almost to an exaggerated degree, of wide knowledge and high distinction, destroys any such supposition at its root. I believe also that the very accusation made against them affords sufficient ground for discrediting other charges. “ I have lived in many countries. I know Russia, Germany, France, Persia, Africa, Argentina and, finally, Chile. I have never seen in any place better authorities than you have here, more distinguished chiefs or men who take a more personal interest in the administrative duties that pass through their hands. It would seem that everything they do, everything entrusted to them is carried out with the same care as though it were their own prívate affair. “ It is sufficient to take note of the present Intendente, Señor Barceló, when he passes through the streets saluting and kindly answering the Salutations of the children and the people in the outskirts of the town. All speak well of him and know that he cares for them. “Then I ask myself, how is it possible that a public authority so well beloved by all could commit the slightest fault against any one of them?” “ In the receptions given by Señor Barceló in his house, I believe I have met the whole society of Tacna, without distinction of nationalities.” “ I am sure that the present authorities of Tacna and Arica are good and Progressive. On many occasions when Ameri can tourists have come to visit this town, the first thing I have heard them say is, ‘What a clean and pretty town.” “W hat do they mean by that?. To me it mefins that Tacna has good public authorities, since a clean town means a well administered town.” In continuation, Señor Eliot spoke to us with enthusiasm of the different public Services, of the railway under his charge, and, as though he still felt himself to be under an unjust accusation, the unpleasantness of which every man of — 74 —

corred and delicate feeíing would wish to remove completely, he said again: ‘ How can they possibly speak of expulsión en masse from the railway when I have here at the disposal of everybody the pay-sheets in which appear the ñames of the forty odd Peruvians who are under my orders receiving their salaries? “The truth of the matter is that, if there have been any men expelled, it would be most interesting to learn their ñames and what their duties were, but there is nothing of the sort. They say that people have been expelled, but they do not say who they are.” “To what do you attribute these prejudiced statements?” “ I cannot give any explanation of them. Probably mis- chief-making. I assure you that during the time that I have been here, I have never had anything to do with politics and I shall never permit politics to enter the railway; I mean, of course, international politics.” “ In all, I believe that there is so much tranquillity, order and hard work here that it would be hard to match it elsewhere, and I do not think it is worth while bothering about things in which one knows that there is not a grain" of truth.” Thus speaking, Mr. Eliot lit a cigar, and his .face, that of a good and distinguished man, with his heart in the right place,—in a word, a thorough Englishman,—there dawned a smiíe of sincere satisfaction. W e now had before us, not the Cónsul ñor the Railway Manager, but the brave soldier, loyal and noble, who wished to speak to us about our fighting men. “W hat I admire most among you are the soldiers— mar- vellcus! Colonel Fernandez is a fine soldier, a distingufshed chief, who would be an honour to the best army in the world. The trcops here ought to be proud of having a chief like their Colonel, and I say this because I know what I am talking about. Here, in the station, I have had plenty of opportunity to see the conscripts arriving, and those that are leaving after their Service. Those who arrive, called to the files, pass along slouching, sorrowful, depressed, like oíd men 75 —

or sick people, as though they were bound for the hospital; but these same men, after only a few months’ Service in the ranks, turn out with happy faces, content, great talkers, well got up, and with lively eyes. In a word, they are men. “With your military Service you are doing a great national work. Miserable folk go into it, and come out proper citizens, upstanding and well turned out. “ I have had opportunity of observing that the soldiers who fulfil the sacred duty of serving their country in the ranks of the Army come out of barracks with a high ideal of respect not only towards their superiors but with an idea of personal respect and dignity, and that is the best thing in life. “ Nothing else could happen to men who live in greater comfort in barracks than even English soldiers; they eat well, have good exercises and lead a healthy life. This is what makes them come out of the ranks 100 per cent improved mentally and physically. “ I believe with blind faith that the citizen who does hís Service in the army gains more in that one year in barracks than he does in five at any other time in this life.” “ Believe us, Mr. Eliot, we are proud to hear you speak like that.” “Oh yes. I have been, and still have the honour to think myself, a soldier. I have had seven years of war.” “How was that, Mr. Eliot? Please explain.” “ I served in our Army in the year 1899, when the Trans- vaal W ar broke out in South Africa. I fought then for three years. Afterwards I went through the whole four years of the European war, from 1914 on. “For love of my country my two sons are soldiers, and are at present in India, the other, who fought beside me in the late war, is wounded, in England. He was wounded by a tank.” Mr. Eliot, with great conviction, added, “ If I had 20 sons, the lot would do their military Service and learn to be soldiers.” — 76 Our kind friend again spoke about the work carried out in the province by Señor Barceló, of his spirit of hard work, his astonishing activity and that of the officials who assist him in it. He made many striking comments on this matter and ended by telling us that he was very happy in Chile and that this country should feel contented at being able to send men of the stamp it did to these regions. — 77 —

With Señor Don Juan Bollo.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna, 5th Feb., 1923.)

Who is Don Juan Bollo? Don Juan, as he is familiarly called, is a most distinguished merchant of Italian nationality, of a probity and aus- terity none too common, and as good as goodness itself. This gentleman has peculiarities of his own. He is a man who lives on the memory of certain dear ones who were ever at his side and for whom he retains a holy venera- tion and an imperishable remembrance, which in spire respect and venera- tion also in those who listen to his reminiscen- D. Juan Bollo. ces. “ I have in the Cemetery of this city two very dear relatives and this fact has made me retire to my house to recall them always.” — 78

“You ought to take a little recreation, Don Juan,” we told

“For 40 years I have been a member of the Italian Club, and, believe me, I have never been inside the doors of that institution which we Italians have here.” “Then how many years have you lived in Tacna, Don Juan?” we inquired with some curiosity. “I have lived in Tacna for 45 years. I carne to Arica from Genoa on August 3rd, 1878.” “W hat was Tacna like when you first carne here?” “There were six or seven big firms that had an active commerce with Bolivia,—that was the principal business. The merchandise was carried on mulé back and all the chief streets of the town were full of animáis, mules, llamas and horses which carried goods to Bolivia and to the valleys roundabout.” “What was Calle San Martin like?” “It was not the shadow of what it is now. In those days it was called Calle Comercio. The side-walks were very bad and the Street itself was bad also. Along the middle of the road there was a sewer, and every day the Street was watered with buckets. That job was done by Indians. In those days there were lots of Indians here.” “And the Plaza Colon?” “Oh, the Plaza Colon is greatly changed. There were big trees in it and it had a depressing appearance. The fountain there was in the place where the band stand now is, and as years went.by, in the time of the Chilian occupation, it was transferred to the centre, where it is now. The Plaza to-day is very beautiful, with the walks and gardens that cheer the eye with their beautiful flower-beds.” “And the Market?” “Shortly before I arrived, the market was situated where the Pasaje Bulnes now is (then called Pasaje Vijil), and, at the entrance where the passage begins to-day, there were three stone arches, one on each side of the big one, closing in the passage completely. These arches were placed at the two — 79 — ends, in Calle Comercio and Sucre. Inside the market every thing was sold; there was a big trade carried on. “When I arrived I found the present market where it stands to-day, but in a very inferior state as compared with that of to-day. It was paved with pebbles from the river and the vegetables and fruits were spread over the ground. The only things placed on tables were the meat and the fish. The whole place looked very miserable.” “The Alameda?” “The Caplina ran down the middle and the people got their drinking water from it. There were no beautiful palm plantations such as have been placed along it by the Chilian authorities; there were only big trees that gave an air of deso- lation and sadness to the place. It was all a wilderness. To go to the Cemetery you had a great job to get across the Caramolle river, and then you had to traverse a refuse heap and a desert. The present Calle Carrera, then called the Caramolle, only went as far as what is now the Caramolle bridge. The Cemetery had not then the pretty entrance which it now has ñor was there a chapel inside.” “W hat changes have yoú noted between the city of those days and now?” “Very many, and it would be difficult for me to enumérate them one by one. But Chile has done very noteworthy things here, more, one can say without exaggeration, than the place is worth. “The paving of all the principal streets, which were before impassable, the improvement of the place with gardens and plazas, the canalizaíion of the Caplina, the construction of many public buildings, including schools, the beautification of the Cemetery, of the Pinto Park, the Plaza, the con struction of pretty and modern houses, of well built and well ventilated barracks and the tanks of potable water for the service of the city, the improvement of the roads leading to Tacna; in fact, there is no end to the improvements that have been effected. In a word, Chile has done everything for the place.” — 80 —

“Were yóu here when our troops carne in?” “Yes, I was in Tacna and saw everything. W e were expecting from one moment to another the arrival of the Chilian troops. I remember that the arrival, on what is now the Pachia, Palca, Tacora road, of the Bolivian troops that came from the Plateau to fight the Chilians in Tacna, made a great impression on people. They defiled through the Calle Comercio all day long. There were very many soldiers. There was a regular rain of bullets here on the day of the battle of Tacna from six in the morning until after midday.” “Let us pass now to another matter, Don Juan. What do you think of the present authorities in Tacna?” “They are splendid fellows, and better could not be asked for. They are active, just and hard working. I hold them in high esteem.” “Do you believe, or have you heard of attacks committed by Chilians against Peruvian citizens, as the Government of Perú says?” “ I do not believe anything that Perú says about the present or past authorities of this province to the effect that they have committed any irregularities. I do not believe it, and nobody will be able to make me believe it, fhat such good people as Señor Barceló could order outrages. I know them, and I know what I am talking about. I suppose this Peruvian agitation comes from a few meddlers who neither know what they are talking about ñor what happens here.” Señor Bollo appeared to be rather tired. W e thought it better not to trouble him further. On bidding us farewell, the good oíd gentleman shook us by the hand, and, in the shadow of his doorway, said: “All that I have told you is the truth. I live with my dead, but my heart is with you, yes, always with you.” — 81

With the Señor Don Francisco Fuster Segura.

(“El Pacifico," Tacna, Ith Feb., 1923.)

In the desire of rendering fully evident the lack of truth in the charges made by the Government and Press of Perú against the authorities of this province, we have continued our interviews with the oldest foreign residents in the place. To many of our readers it must seem un- necessary to go on with the enquiry, and we may say at once that, if it has not already been terminated, it is because of the satisfaction given us by the words of cheer that we have heard in the course of our investi- gations. D. Francisco Fuster Segura. This and other con- siderations of journalistic duty oblige us to pass over no opinión given to us sincerely and spontaneously, as all those have been that have hitherto been placed before our readers. — 82

W e called on the well-known man of affairs in this city, Don Francisco Fuster Segura. Señor Fuster is a native of Lluchmayor, Province of Majorca, Balearic Islands. “W hat do you think about our inquiry, Señor Fuster?” “ I find the declarations made to you by all sorts of people very just and to the point, since most of them have been made by people who have been here for many years and are able to speak from personal knowledge. I carne to Arica at the end of 1891, that is, after the civil war in Chile, in Balmaceda’s time. I had goneto Perú in the same year with the idea of starting the same business there that I have here, a bakery and cakeshop; but the climate did not suit me, and I had to come to Chile, where you see me now.” “Do you know Chile?” “Very well. I know Santiago, Valparaiso, Iquique and Antofagasta, and I don’t mind telling you that I have made a good deal of money, but at the same time I have lost plenty on occasion. Since my arrival in 1891 I have carried on this business. I got together some capital in the business, and everything I have I owe to my work in this province, under the protection of Chiban laws and always counting on the patronage of many good customers.” “W hat do you think about the place?” “The advance made in this city and in the province generally is very remarkable and creditable. The paving of the streets, the lighting and general cleanliness, the very many new buildings, etc., all these things are really very beneficial to the people of Tacna.” “Tell us about the authorities.” “As regards the authorities, administrative, military and local, I can only say that they are an absolute guarantee of safety, order and respect for all the inhabitants of this pro vince. ít would not he easy to find better anywhere. They execute justice, subject to the laws and decrees, that I know, and their justice, I can say without fear of contradiction, is extended equally to all. It would be an injustice on my part were I to say that I have ever had a single reason to — 83 — complain in this sense during the 30 ycars and more that I have lived here.” “ I live happily in Tacna, though that does not imply that I never hope to see my fatherland again. But the truth is, gentlemen, that having made my home in Tacna, my children have been born here and educated in the schools that Chile maintains here with such success, and accordingly, I have every reason to be fond of this place and grateful towards your country.” “W hat is your opinión about the Carabineers?” "So far as I am concerned, the Carabineers are a frontier forcé that sees to the carrying out of the laws and prevenís contraband trade, guarding in this manner the laws of the Republic. All countries have frontier pólice and the greater reason exists in this province for you to keep such a forcé as you are bounded here by two republics and also the frontiers are so open and very easily negotiated by unscrupulous people who carry on smuggling.” “Have you heard anything about the alleged outrages?” “ I have never heard anything of the kind. On the other hand, all the folk with whom I have to do, whether in the course of business or as personal friends have never spoken to me of attacks or acts of injustice against anybody. I look upon all these matters as jokes, the people who are making the accusations are ‘talking through their hats,’ as the saying is, since, if they were true, the people concerned would have raised no end of a row. The Indian worships his wife and children and is very litigious. “Finally, I can tell you that one can live in Tacna better than anywhere else, with full personal protection and with perfect liberty of commerce.” Whilst in the doorway, Señor Fuster said to us: “ Do not forget to mention this: only my eldest son, A n tonio, is registered in the Spanish Consulate. A11 my other children are sons of Chile.” 84 —

The good Don Francisco gave us a cordial farewell, and we left him with the full conviction that this honest merchant, who has made a modest fortune by hard and constant work alone, has told us the truth. — 85

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

(“£ í Pacífico,” Tacna, 9th Feb., 1923.)

Our enquiry is approaching its end. So many foreign residents in this province have spoken up for us and they represent so well the opinión of hundreds of other foreigners among us that we consider this branch of the enquiry almost exhausted, and that we have completely disproved, with the testimony of so many honourable people, all of them quite independent and oíd residents in the Province, the unspeakable fallacies that have been made against Chile and against the authorities which our country has in this Province, by the Chancellery of Perú. None the less, in order to give still greater forcé to our enquiry, we shall conclude by taking the opinión of a few more foreigners, all of them of indubitable impartiality, well known to all and men of complete independence of opinión. — 86 —

With Colonel Don Lisandro Cortes.

W e fouhd Colonel Cortes, as he is called, on one of his daíly walks. Don Lisandro Corte» is a well-known retired Co lonel of the Bolivian Army who has lived in Tacna for some five years past. “ I retired,” said Colo- nei Cortes, ‘‘from the army of my country and I carne to this country in the hope of curing an oíd complaínt, but the fact is that once arrived here with the object of spend- ing a short time, 1 have been here five years. “ I am going to speak frankly to you. I have stayed much longer than D. Lisandro Cortés. I expected because I have received every courtesy and attention not only from the civil and military authorities but also from the society of Tacna. I live here happily and quietly, I have never been interfered with by anybody, and I have only words of thanks and affection for one and all of the people who share with me this tranquil life in this Province.” — 87 —

“I was a great friend of the ex-Intendente, Señor Fernando Edwards, and the present authorities of Tacna have always honoured me with marks of their esteem.” “Do you believe, Colonel, ín alí this about expulsions and attacks against Peruvian citizens and of the violation of Peruvian women and girls?” “I have never heard of such things in the five years I have been here. I do not believe that the present authorities have ordered such acts. It would be impossible and incredible. If it were true, should we not have heard of such things happening quite cióse to us?” “Then to what do you attribute these accusations which appear to be untrue on the face of them because they are so absolutely unspeakable?” “ I attribute them to the work of a few discontented people, who have not been able to do what they like here, because the fact is that everybody who respects the laws and carries out his duty is free from molestation of any kind whatever here.” “ Do you believe that we live in peace here and that business people attend to their affairs in entire independence. ?” “ I not only believe that we live in peace, but that we live in great happiness and that all the business people, without taking count of nationality, carry on their affairs under the shelter of equal laws. To think or say anything different would be to deny a self-evident truth of which all the foreigners here are fully aware.” “What is your Opinión about the present authorities?” “ I think that they carry on theit duties in an atmosphere of great activity and progress, and that they are doing useful work and by so doing are benefiting both the province and its inhabitants. I can add from personal knowledge of them that the administrative, military and local authorities of this province are all cultured, distinguished men and hard workers.” — 88

“ I do not wish to finish before assuring you that all that I have said is exactly the opinión of my compatriots residing here. I can authorise you to say that for them, as I know well that that represents their feeling of grateful recognition for the frank and sincere hospitality which, under various circumstances, they are receiving in Chile. All of them are deeply grateful for the attentions they have been offered and the facilities granted to them in all parts.” • — 89

With Mr. W. H. Foulkes.

("‘El Pacifico," Tacna, lOíh Feb., 1923.)

W e took advantage of our last visit to the neighbouring port to in terview a distinguished English gentleman who has lived for many years in Arica and who occupies there a respectable position in society and in commerce, Mr. W . H. Foulkes. Mr. Foulkes occupies an enviable situation in Arica, as much on account of his personality as for his culture, amiable manners and many qua- lities that are universally appreciated. Our friend has been for years a sup- plier of stores for ship- ping in the port, and in D. W. H. Foulkas. commercial circles in all the different centres of the locality Mr. Foulkes is very well known and highly esteemed. — 90 —

W e were introduced to Mr. Foulkes by chance, and we immediatély took the opportunity to tell him the object of our journey and of our hope that he would favour us with his opinión on our enquiry. Mr. Foulkes listened to us with satisfaction and then told us that he did not read the newspapers much, as he devoted the whole of his time to his work and that he was utterly un- acquainted with the course of international politics. “See,” he said after hearing us out, “ I. have lived here ten years, and during those ten years I have known the different authorities who have administered this province, and according to my idea, and because I have known them exceedingly well, I believe it impossible that any of them who have held positions of authority here could commit the slightest infraction of the laws. I think that in saying this I have said everything that I have to say in answer to any enquiries that you make, I don’t want to say more because that ineludes everything, and because I do not think it worth my while to busy myself with statements that have no valué whatever.” Mr. Foulkes looked at us with a smile and bade us a genial farewell with a warm shake of the hand. “Many thanks for your answer, Mr. Foulkes, it is quite decisive, very significant and above all, quite English, short, but good.” — 91

With Don Eduardo Vidal.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna 11 th Feb., 1923.)

There lives among us a man who has resided in Tacna for sixty-two years, and this man, naturally, could not escape our enquiry. This is Don Eduardo Vidal, a Spaniard born in Mala ga and who arrived in Valparaíso on the 31st of December, 1856. He is at present 81 years of age. “W ill you tell us your history, Señor V idal?” “W ith great pleasure. After a voyage that lasted 65 days in the Span- ish sailing ship “Gravi- na” I arrived in Valpa- raiso on December 31st, 1856. I was employed D. Eduardo Vidal. in the printing house and book store “ El Mercurio” for five years. I saw to the adver- tisements and subscriptions. In 1862 I carne to'Tacna province, which was then governed by the Peruvian Prefect, 92 —

Don Carlos Zapata. When I arrived at this city there were two Peruvian regiments here, one of cavalry and one of infantry; the cavalry were commanded by Don , Mariano Ignacio Prado, the same who was afterwards President of Perú. Prado was an intelligent man; it was he who began the construction of the present market. “In the month of October, 1879, after several journeys, I arrived in Antofagasta. In this port- they would not let me disembark, and on board I obtained a document dictat- ed by the commander-in-chief of the Chilian forces on campaign, and in which it was disposed that the chief or officer who went half a mile away from the camp without express permission of the Commander-in-chief would be court-mar- tialled at once. “This regulation struck me as in contrast with what I found a few days afterwards when I arrived at Arica, where I was not allowed to land either, among the Peruvian and Bolivian troops. “ None the less, whilst on board the ship in which I arrived I heard through some of my friends in the Bolivian army, a major and a captain, that the chiefs, officers and troops of the allied armies had a jolly social life, that they passed their days in a continual round of festivities, and that all of them, especially the chiefs, were very well dressed. “In the month of December of the same year, I went from Arequipa to La Paz, and when they asked me my opinión as to which country would win the war, I replied that Chile would.” “W hy did you answer thus, Señor Vidal?” “ Be,cause of the decree I had read in the South and the ‘fiestas’ of the Peruvian and Bolivian chiefs and officers in Arica. That, however, is all history. I was one day in the door of the store that Don Fermin Ousicanqui had at that time in La Paz. There carne in just then the Bolivian troops who had fought in the battle of Tacna, in the camp of the Alliance: in the door of the establishment I met my chief, the hTnister of Brazil in Bolivia, and several other — 93 —

persons. W e watched the passing of the troops who had been defeated a few days before in Tacna, and on seeing them there escaped from the lips of the Brazilian Minister a very suggestive remark that will remain in my memory all my Iife: “ ‘And do you expect with this army to defeat that of Chile, which is a great and well-organised forcé?’ “That is why I was not surprised at their defeat. “Eventually I carne to Tacna in 1880. There was here then, if I mistake not, Don Eusebio Lillo, a most illustrious man who became my very good friend.” “W hat was Tacna like in those days Señor?” “Much Iess advanced than it is to-day. Time does not pass by in vain for places and people. The Pinto Park was then simply a dust heap. The beautiful recreation ground of to-day was a pig-sty. This transformation Tacna owes to the indefatigable worker Señor Soffia, that good Intendente. “The present Plaza Colon was very neglected, because we must confess that the northern race is inferior and more indolent than that of the South. The drinking water was very bad, and, therefore, little was drunk. Generally we used tea, mineral water, beer and the like.” “ I have known very good Chilian administrations—that of Soffia, of Don Guillermo Blest Gana, that of Don Ale jandro Fierro, that of Don Vicente Prieto Puelma and that of Don Antonio Edwards, who was governing this province in the years ’91 to ’94, at that time the Prefect of Pólice being Don Alfredo Jaramillo, and finally, that of Don Eduardo Orrego and to-day that of Don Luis Bar- celó.” “W hat do you think of the work of Chile in this province generally?” “ I regard it as a work of genuine progress. Chile has brought the province of Tacna into line with modern stan- dards, and you can be próud of the fact. — 94 —

“The authorities who govern the provinces are, without doubt, excellent. I have never come into conflict with them, and I believe the same remark applies to all other foreigners, who, indeed, receive nothing but courteous attention.” “Do you believe that during the time you have been in Chile our country has carried out in this province a policy of violence?” “In the 63 years that I have lived in Tacna, I have no knowledge of any acts on the part of the Chilian authorities contrary to humane laws and certainly of no attacks or outrages.” “W hat work have you been engaged in in this province, Señor V idal?” “ I started a book-shop here. Afterwards I was accoun- tant and cashier of the National Bank of Bolivia, chief of the Deres Firm, of París, Agent of the Mercantile Bank in Arica, afterwards I became Sub-Manager of the Bank of Tacna when Don Guillermo McLean was Manager and Don Miguel Casanovas President of the Directorate. “The years went by. I was Manager of the Gas Company for five years, and, when the Company ceased to exist, I went in for bookselling.” “I only remember two years of Peruvian administration, because in those days I travelled a great deal, and I know much more about the Chilian administration.” “Chile has done a great deal here. I believe the best thing she has accomplished has been the splendid transformation of the Alameda, the public gardens and the like, in fact, the whole town.” “I was greatly impressed by the rapid and admirable mobilization of the year 1920. In a few days you mobi- lised some thousands of men.” Do you think, Señor Vidal, that the present authorities of the province could order or commit the acts of violence or outrages of which they are accused by the Peruvian Gov- vernment and Press?” — 95 — “ I have never heard of such. On the other hand, I can give you the ñames of many Peruvian merchants who have told me that they live happily and prosperously under the protection of the laws. You can make any deductions you please from that statement.” “Speaking in all sincerity, Señor Vidal, you, who have nothing to fear, you who have a Cónsul who would take care of you whatever happened, we ask your opinión as a respectable and aged man, what opinión have you with regard to the present authorities of T acna?” “The very best opinión, like all my neighbours have.” “Then you consider what Chile has done to be good?” “Yes, gentlemen, I find it all very good and in conformity with reason and humanity.” Señor Vidal bade us farewell. We saw that we were leaving a man who had spoken from the experience of a long life and with all the sincerity of a foreigner anxious only to tell us the truth. Spain is a noble country in tradition and in race, and a .Spaniard called to give evidence before the tribunal of justice and truth could never lie. — 96 —

With Don Manuel Yanulaque.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna, \4th Feb., 1923.)

Don Manuel Yanula que has lived in this province for nearly forty years. W e found him in his store, fully occupied in attending to his customers. At the earliest possible moment we explained the object of our visit to him. Don Manuel gladly agreed to help us, and, at once, with the counter between us, we began our enquiries. “Do you believe all the Government and Press of Perú say is happening here in this province ?. “So far I have not had any news that the v , attacks and outrages are O. Manuel Yanulaque. ,true. ,, ° “ Do you believe that foreign merchants, especially Peru- vians, are maltreated here?” — 97 —

“Nobody interferes with me, and I have not seen anybody molested or ill-treated, so I do not believe that what you tell me is true either.” “W hat do you think about the present authorities of the Province?” “ I think them excellent, very good, because I know they are very good, and I think that the rest think so too.” “ Do you live contentedly here, Señor Yanulaque?” “Yes, I live contentedly, I have nothing to grumble at, and I believe it is the same with all the other people in the Province.” “ I think I have said all that you wish to ask me, since I have read many of the inquines that you have been making.” Señor Y anuiaque is a prominent man of business who has built up for himself a spíendid position in the neighbouring port of Arica thanks to the honest and energetic work which he has put in for nearly half a century past.

(4) — 98 —

With the Vice-Consul of Spain at Tacna Señor Miguel Casanovas.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna, Feb., 28th, 1923.)

All know the results of our enquiry; more than a score of well-known foreigners residing in this province, including the consular representatives of all the countries, have given their opinión frankly and sincerely in our columns towards the i object that we pursue, that of demonstrating that the Peruvian imputations against our country are false, totally and absolutely untrue. W e are grateful for the kindness and honesty of this score of foreigners whose opinión we have published and which aid us to prove that what has Miguel Casanovas. been charged against us by the Chancellery of Perú is nothing inore than a bad attempt to lower us in the eyes of the whole world. — 99 —

W e shall put an end to the enquiry when we have completed our mission, but the truth is that one man was still lacking, the only consular representative that had not y_et spoken, Don Miguel Casanovas, Vice-Consul of Spain in Tacna, one of the oldest and best known of the foreigners who are living among us. When we began our inquiry, Señor Casanovas was absent in Santiago. A few days after it ended, Señor Casanovas returned to this city, after having been for two months in the south. W e could not resist the desire of interviewing so well known a man, and, accordingly, we called at his beautiful house with the object of obtaining a few statements from the Vice-Consul and thus fastening up our enquiry with a golden brooch, as it were. Don Miguel Casanovas received us with great courtesy. He told us that he had taken note of the enquiries set on foot by “El Pacifico.” After conversing for a short time on general topics, we approached the main object of our interview. “ How many years have you lived in this province, Señor Casanovas?” “ I arrived in this province, coming from Spain,.on May 3rd, 1874. The year following, 1875, I took the post of cashier of the Bank of Tacna, till the year 1883, when I retired from the Bank to enter into partnership with Don Julio Hirschmann, a partnership that lasted until 1901. Later I carried on business alone with an establishment in La Paz and another here in Tacna. “ In the year 1911 I became Manager of the Bank of Tacna, holding that position until the Bank went into liqui- dation. “For, 15 years I was Alcalde (Mayor) of this city (three periods of five years each). I became Vice-Consul of my country in 1900 or 1901,— I cannot remember exactly, at the moment—it was during the administration of Intendente — 100 — Palacios, and, during my stay here, I have presided over several commercial and benevolent institutions. “During all this time, and under Chiban administraron, have any acts of violence or ill treatment, massacres and the like, of Peruvian citizens come to your knowledge?” “ I remember no case of that nature,” answered Señor Casanovas.” . “W hat idea have you formed with respect to the Admi- nistrations with which Chile has governed this province?” “ I have a very high idea of them all, and I can add that I have always received every courtesy from the authorities.” “W hat do you think of the present officials?” “The same.” “Do you believe that, generally speaking, the Peruvian inhabitants and foreigners live and work here in full liberty?” “Quite so.” “Do you believe what has been asserted, that Peruvian* are robbed of their property here?” “ I do not believe it,” replied Señor Casanovas. “W hat do you think of the work of Chile in these territories?” “Chile has carried out very noteworthy work here. I myself have contributed towards it during the time I occupied a post in the municipality, in carrying into effect some of the many improvements that have been effected.” Señor Casanovas spoke to us of other times and other things, always with sincere affability, and in the desire to spare the distinguished patriarch any fatigue, we left the presence of this good and universally beloved man, not without thanking him heartily for his kindness, and congratulat- ing ourselves on the good fortune that had allowed us to interview him and to obtain from his lips further evidence in support of the purity, justice and truth of our cause. Señor Casanovas accompanied us courteously to his door in bidding us farewell in the time-honoured phrase: “You know that this house is at your disposition.” 101

W e respectfully saluted him. W e Ieft the quiet and dignified mansión with the certainty that in our hasty notes we had secured the finest testimony possible to aid us in overthrowing the mass of untruths heaped upon our country. 100 — Palacios, and, during my stay here, I have presided over several commercial and benevolent institutions. “ During all this time, and under Chilian administration, have any acts of violence or ill treatment, massacres and the like, of Peruvian citizens come to your knowledge?” “ I remember no case of that nature,” answered Señor Casanovas.” “W hat idea have you formed with respect to the Admi- nistrations with which Chile has governed this province?” “ I have a very high idea of them all, and I can add that I have always received every courtesy from the authorities.” “W hat do you think of the present officials?” “The same.” “ Do you believe that, generally speaking, the Peruvian inhabitants and foreigners live and work here in full liberty?” “Quite so.” “ Do you believe what has been asserted, that Peruvians are robbed of their property here?” “I do not believe it,” replied Señor Casanovas. “W hat do you think of the work of Chile in these territories?” “Chile has carried out very noteworthy work here. I myself háve contributed towards it during the time I occupied a post in the municipality, in carrying into effect some of the many improvements that have been effected.” Señor Casanovas spoke to us of other times and other things, always with sincere affability, and in the desire to spare the distinguished patriarch any fatigue, we left the presence of this good and universally beloved man, not without thanking him heartily for his kindness, and congratulat- ing ourselves on the good fortune that had allowed us to interview him and to obtain from his lips further evidence in support of the purity, justice and truth of our cause. Señor Casanovas accompanied us courteously to his door in bidding us farewell in the time-honoured phrase: “You know that this house is at your disposition.” — 101

W e respectfully saluted him. W e left the quiet and dignified mansión with the certainty that in our hasty notes we had secured the finest testimony possible to aid us in overthrowing the mass of untruths heaped upon our country. — 102 —

The Peruvians in Chile Contented.

It would be difficult to find a better argument in favour of Chile than the testimony of the Peruvian residents themselves, a favourable testimony that they do not hesitate to gire. W e publish below the reports of interviews held with Pe ruvians living in Tacna, and among the hundreds of declarations now in the possession of the Ministry of Foreign Af- fairs, we select a few of those sent to different Intendentes and Governors of the Republic. 103 —

With Don Eleuterio Mita.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna, Feb. \5th, 1923).

The gentleman interviewed is too well known in the Province, especially in this Department for us to sing hispraises, since it was none other than Don Eleuterio Mita, a wealthy agriculturalist of Tarata, where Señor Mita owns a wide i extent of property and a great number of animáis. The many activities of our friend have permitted him to make an envia ble fortune and to ele- vate himself to a higher social sphere than that when he first began his career. “Where were you born, Señor M ita?” was D. Eleuterio Mita. our first question.” “ I was born in Tarata in the year 1862, so that I am of Peruvian origin.” “W hat property do you possess?” “ I own 46 big sites in Tarata, and in all of them I have — 104

a great number of cattle and sheep, many of them of fine breeds.” “I have never moved from my birthplace since I was born, and I have lived here very comfortably and at peace with all the world.” “That is all very well, Señor Mita, but the truth is that your countrymen who govern Perú from Lima, assure us that it is precisely in Tarata and in all the frontier región (Ticalaco, Ticaco, etc.) where the Chilians are ill-treating, killing and despoiling of their goods the Peruvians who live there.” On the face of Don Eleuterio dawned a smile of incredu- lity and amusement, and he answered us: “That is what they say in Lima, but I could tell them that, during all the years that I have lived here in the próvince, I have never seen any people killed, outraged or despoiled of their property. “You can tell them what I say, and to this effect, that for all I know, have seen or heard, I have never had any knowledge of interference with anybody. On the contrary, the authorities we have had in Tacna have always been very good, and distinguished for their spirit of justice. Imagine how many successive authorities I have had to deal with here in my time. “The present Sub-Delegate, Señor Chacón, is an excellent and just chief; I can assure you of that from personal knowledge, because I know at first hand of what Señor Chacón is doing in Tarata.” “W hat is your opinión about the authorities of the pro- vmce? “ I think that the present authorities of the próvince have been always very good to me and I have never heard anything said against them.” “Do you believe that they could have ordered the injustice attributed to them by your countrymen in Lima?” “ I do not believe it. I know the present Intendente—I know the Judge also,—and I am sure that they could never — 105 — have ordered such acts, acts moreover, which I should have heard about, since all the time I am talking with my men, who live in the very región in which you tell me the matters spoken of in Perú have taken place.” “Ah! So you are in constant touch with your people in charge of your property in T arata?” “Yes, thev come to give me an account of things in my farms very frequently, and I always ask them the news, as a matter of course.” “What do they say?” “They say that everything is quiet and in order, and that every day the road in construction between Tarata and Tacna is progressing.” “W hat opinión have you formed respecting the work carried out by Chile in the province?” “ I have the best impression about it. It is a work of progress and in the right direction.” Señor Mita spoke to us with enthusiasm of the road being made with Chilian workmen by the firm of Franke-Julian between Tarata and Tacna.” “That is a fine work,” he said. Once completed it will reduce the cost of living in Tacna, since it will be possible to bring many producís from Tarata at much lower cost in freight, and much more quickly.” “Take into consideration the fact that the freight from Tarata to Tacna, on mule-back, costs $5 the 46 kilos. I believe that when the road is finished this freight charge will be reduced by one-half. Everything will be brought in one day instead of in two, as at present.” “W e are very pleased to hear you speak like that, Señor Mita,” we said to him, and we are glad to see that you appreciate the work at its full valué, since it is bound to benefit all the farmers in your valley, without distinction of nationalities. It is a work of real progress that is being effected by our country in the province.” “ It is indeed, gentlemen,” said Señor Mita. Undoubtedly everything will improve when we can make use of this road 106 —

and the journeys are less troublesome than they are at present. Even now, when the work is still unfinished, one can go very comfortably as far as Quilla, nearly half way.” “W hat have you to say about the Carabineers?” “The Carabineers see that the laws are carried out, and do not bother anybody who keeps them; on the contrary, they favour and assist them. Nobody has any right to complain against this excellent service.” Señor Mita again talked about the future benefits which would be afforded to the farming interests by the excellent road in construction, making very acute and sensible obser- vations on the subject. Señor Mita spoke to us in all sincerity, the sincerity proper to a man living far away from the turmoil and wholly devoted to his work and to the ensuring of his own prosperity. He knows nothing of politics or of what is taking place abroad, but he knows every detail of what is taking place on his own property and in his neighbourhood. For a final remark, we may say that it was our desire to termínate our inquiries with the interview with Señor Mita, because we thought him the best person to make a categoric denial of the absurd charges woven by Perú for the purpose of loading us with the blame of unheard of outrages committed in the very región where Señor Mita, a Peruvian citizen, the son of Peruvian parents, born in Tarata in 1862, orvns very valuable estates. Señor Mita, with enchanting simplicity of manner, has told us that these charges are utterly untrue. — 107

With Señor Daniel Copaja.

(“El Pacifico,” Tacna Feb. 8th, 1923.)

Inspired with the idea that all know of, we visited Arica with the object of interviewing a few more of the most prominent foreigners of that city. By chance one of the first whom we met was the well known Peruvian business man of Arica, Señor Don Daniel Co paja. Señor Copaja has a well known pharmacy in Arica, much patronised by the best people, where they meet with every courtesy and attention and skill of a high order. This gentleman is well known in Arica and D. Daniel Copaja. Tacna, and is universally esteemed for his personal amiability, honesty, seriousness and competency. As soon as Señor Copaja was informed of the object of our visit, he led us into his shop, and then into a small sitting room, his office. — 108 — “I am at your orders, gentlemen,” said Señor Copaja, amiably. “ Before commencing our interview, Señor Copaja, we ought to warn you that we have only come to you because we have been told that not only are you an oíd resident in the province, but a person who, on account of the position you hold in business, should certainly figure in our enquiry.” “That is flattering to me, and I must attribute it rather to yourkindness.” “W e desire, also, Señor Copaja, that in this case, as in those which have preceded it, to proceed with entire sincerity and complete liberty of action, and you are perfectly free to answer the questions you prefer to.” “Gertainly, ask your questions, I expect I shall be able to answer all of them.” (A short dialogue followed in the course of which we received a very favourable impression of the culture and courtesy of the gentleman we were interviewing.) “Do you believe that the Peruvian merchants of Arica, and, with them, those of other nationalities and the inhabitants of the province generally are inconvenienced, molested or ill-treated by the authorities?” “ I believe that all the Peruvian merchants of this province as well as the other inhabitants, live quietly here. I can assure you of the truth of the following, so far as I am con cerned: If anybody affirms that I, because I happen to be a Peruvian, am interfered with by the authorities, I should say that, on the contrary, these same authorities have helped me in every way, especially in business matters, and speaking from the moral view-point I should say that at all times I have been able to count on the frank and sincere attitude of the governing body which has never in any way interfer ed with me, but has been a splendid guarantee of security.” “Can you tell us anything of your personal history?” “ I began my studies in this province, and they were Chi- lian professors who gave me my earliest education. In later years I went to Santiago, to continué my studies in pharmacy. — 109

“Whilst living in your capital, in spite of the fact that I never, on any occasion denied my true nationality, the Pe ruvian, I was never molested. On the contrary, I left many intímate friends there, and I can say, without fear of being contradicted, that the years that I spent in Santiago were the happiest of my life.” “Where were you born, Señor Copaja?” “I was born in Candaravi, a city situated in the South of Perú, and I was brought up in Tarata, where a number of my relatives live still.” “ Do you believe, Señor Copaja, that it can be possible that the authorities of this province could order acts of víolence such as the Government and Press of Perú speak of?” “As to that, I am able to say that, as I told you before, I have members of my family living in Tarata, a town very cióse to Ticaco, a Peruvian town in which these things are said to have taken place, and yet, as a fact, nobody has told me anything about them. “You can understand that if such things had really happened, I should have heard of them before most people, either from members of my family or from friends who are living there. I think it is better not to believe all that. I do not think that there is anything to add to what I have told you.” “W hat is your opinión about the authorities in this pro vince?” “Why, simply this, that they have always acted in a splendid and perfectly correct manner. All of them have kept the laws and have carried them out in the best manner. I do not think the present authorities in Tacna could be bettered, and certainly, nobody can make any complaint against them. “Furthermore, the fact that I am a Peruvian does not imply that I know nothing about the present officials who administer these territories, since, during the years I spent in Santiago, as a student, I was able to form a judgment - - 110 concerning the outstanding personalities ín every field of activity in Chile, and it has been with pleasure and surpnse that I have seen figuring as governors in this province, or sent to it on government commissions, persons whom I had learned in those days to consider as distinguished, correct and gentlemanly. “ Finally, I can tell you without any reservaron that I live happily here, that my best customers are. Chilians, and that nearly all the Chiban firms established in this province grant me preferential terms. Why, then, should I complain of a country that has behaved in so gentlemanly and benevolent a way? It would be ungrateful of me. “ My wife is Chilian, and my four children are Chiban because they have been born here and have learned to earn their living in Chiban schools.” Señor Copaja spoke to us about all these things with en- gaging simplicity and naturalness, like a man who knows that he is not deceived, and who, from a sense of gratitude, is glad of the opportunity of talking about them. He told us many private matters connected with his family, and, in his words, we could see that this man of business, who carries on his pharmacy with honour and good repute, wished to speak in entire sincerity as though he were desirous of publicly disassociating himself from the charges and untruths attributed to us. “It was now mid-day, and we left the pharmacy of Señor Copaja, after thanking him warmly for the favour that he had done us.” 111 —

Other Significant Testimonies.

The testimony of many Peruvian residents constitutes a valuable body of evidence of the fact that the Peruvians residing in Chile do not suffer from acts of hostility as is stated in the charges formulated against our Government, but that, like the Chilians themselves, they enjoy in quietness all the benefits of our institutions. These testimonies have been given publicly and in complete liberty. W e proceed to transcribe a íew of these declarations.

“La Serena, Feb. 6th, 1923.—The undersigned, a Peru vian citizen, born in the province of Trujillo, (Republic of Perú), 77 years of age, declares: That he has lived in Chile since the year 1844, that he has been for 27 years in the Chilian army, fighting in the Artillery regiment No. 1 in the Civil W ar of 1891, having been wounded in the Battle of Pisagua. That at present he receives a pensión of $181.40 on retirement, as 2nd class Sergeant in the Army. He further declares that he has never been molested in the country of his adoption, either by the authorities or by prívate persons, and that he has lived under the shelter of the laws.

(Signed).—Fernando Gavidia.

Benedicto Cespedes Vasquez, born in Lima in 1862, son of don Benedicto Cespedes Rospigliosi and of Doña María Vasquez de C„ declares: That he has been in Chile for — 112

34 years, of which he lived for 31 in Vicuña, department of Elqui, and in three other places in the Republic. He adds that for 20 years he has been Director of various primary schools in this department and that he receives the retiring pensión decreed by the Supreme Government of Chile. He declares that he has no complaint to make against the authorities or people of the country, but that, on the contrary, he is grateful for the deference that has always been shown to him, and that he has lived quietly in the country under the protection of its laws, without interference from anybody. < The last time he was in Perú was in the year 1904, when he went there to bring his mother, who died in Chile. He declares, finally, that he so loved this country that eventually he became nationalised, according to the certifícate of natu- ralisation bearing date January 4th, 1897, the date, by a happy coincidence, of his birthday.

(Signed.)— Benedicto Cespedes V. Vicuña, Feb. 17th, 1923.

Señor Lucas Barzo, residing in Copiapo, has declared as follows : “I was born in Lima, Corcovado Street, in the year 1851. I carne to Chile, as a prisoner of war, in 1879, and since then I have lived in the town of Copiapo, in the province of Atacama. I am a carpenter by trade, and, thanks to the favour shown to me by the authorities and public, I have been able to make a competent living. During my residence in Chile, I have never suffered persecutions or interferences of any sort, and I have lived among the Chilians as though I were a Chiíian. I feel contented and secure in my property and business to the extent that I have always expressed my íntention of remaining in this country all my life. My children — 113 ave Chilian and, as such, have fulfilled their duty towards the miíitary service íaw. AII work contentedly. These declarations are made freely, and in making them I feel perfectly satisíied. (Signed.)—Lucas Barzo.” Copiapo, 22nd Feb., 1923.

“I was born in Lima, Calle Mattas, No. 16, on Feb. 22nd, 1884. I Jiave lived in Chile since March, 1902, and have my dwelling at present in No. 546, Calle Carreras, in this city. I ara employed in the business house of Don Amadeo Delard, and my economic situation, if not very ampie, is sufficiently good. I have not suffered interference or insult as a Peruvian citizen at any time, I feel secure in my home and business and it would not be an easy task to persuade me to return to Perú, since I am quite happy in Chile. (Signed.)—Eduardo Suegras." Copiapo, Feb. 23rd, 1923.

"The undersigned, Juana Selem de Woodbridge and Isa bel Selem de Bloomfield, both born in the Republic of Perú, have the pleasure to declare that during their stay in Los Andes, Chile, where they have lived for the last eight years, they have enjoyed every kind of freedom and have been treated with every politeness by the authorities and people of this hospitable country. (Signed.)—Juana Selem de W. Isabel Selem de B. Los Andes, Feb. 4th,1923. — 114

“ I consider it a high patriotic duty and that of a good Peruvian who Ioves his country and the truth above all, to declare, publicly if possible, that the best years of my life have been passed in this hospitable land of Chile, where I have established my home, where my children have been born of a Chilian mother, and rvhich ¿ay by ¿ay I loob upon as my second country, since, for 24 years past, í have lived in it without interference, much less jnsult of any kind, even in moments of greatest popular excitement, when it has been expected from moment to moment that relations with my father- Iand were about to be broken off. I repeat that nevar have I suffered the slightest ill-treatment on declaring to all and sundry that I am a Peruvian, born in Arequipa, and with relations now living in Perú. I feel sure that Perú will feel proud that one of her sons has sufficient loyalty and breadth of view to declare the truth. (Signed.)—Enrique M. Weiss Tejeda." Rancagua, Jan. 26th, 1923.

“ I have worked for the last ten years in the largest mining companies in Chile, occupying positions in which I have con- stantly been brought into contad with working-class people, and I have never been molested. On the contrary, I have always been li.ked by my work-mates and by the men under my orders. í have on varíous occasions acted as mediator between employers and work people to the satisfaction of both parties and without the least complaint from the workmen. (Signed).— Donald Kerr Smilh.” Rancagua, Feb. 2nd, 1923. — 115 —

“ I was born in Tacna in the year 1870. Since the W ar of the Pacific I have only left the Province of Tarapaca on the occasion, in 1919, when I carne to the South. I was brought up and educated in Chile, where I have livfed surrounded by my best friends, among whom I have spent the best years of my life. / have occupied posts in public offices in Chile, as I am able to prove by the testimoniáis in my hands. I have never been interfered with by anybody, including the authorities of any kind; in fact, on every necessary occasion I have been attended to most courteously by Chillan officials. For more or less 15 years past I have been working under the orders of Señor José Rivera M., a distinguished Chilian business man of this province. Finally, I may say that I hve happily and contentedly in Chile where I have good friends in most of the towns. (Signed.)—M. Guevara." Rancagua, 14th Feb. 1923.

“For 16 years I have lived in Chile, for two years naviga- ting on the coast. During this time I have never been molested by the public or the authorities, having always enjoyed every kind of guarantee. A proof of the above is the fact that / am requesting my nationalisation as a Chilian citizen. (Signed.)—Humberto Perez Reyes." Valdivia, 26th Feb., 1923.

“During the 34 years of my residence in Chile, I have never been persecuted or molested by any authority, and not only have I enjoyed every kind of guarantee, but the public offices have on occasion given me facilities that are only exceptionally granted. (Signed.)—Enrique Bacigalupi” Punta Arenas, Feb. 17th, 1923. — 116 —

“ During the course of 40 years, the present is the first opportunity in which it has been possible for me to give written expression to my thanks for the hospitality which has always been afforded to me in the different places in which I have been during my long life in the Republic, and in all of which, though never denying my Peruvian nationality, I have lived unmolested. The only complaint I have had to make, and this outside the limits of the Republic, was an event which obliged me to apply to the Supreme Govfernment for protection, and which took place in December 1920. This was in the City of Buenos Aires, when the Chilian Cónsul refused me a passport to return here in order to resume my post at the head of my business. I informed the Supreme Govern ment of Chile of what had occurred, and at once the Minister of Foreign Affairs sent orders by telegraph to the effect that every facility should be given me. In the passport referred to, which is still in my possession, there is evidence of this. It States that the undersigned, on applying to the Supreme Government, sought the shelter of the laws, counting for this on the correctness of the judgment of the officials called upon to carry them into effect.

(Signed.)—F. M. Rodríguez.” Punta Arenas, Feb. 15th, 1923.

“Nicanor Boloña, of Peruvian nationality, a native of Li ma, Cartographer in the Service of the Government since July, 1889, in the Office of Public Works, Land Surveying Department, up to the time of its closing, and from then on occupied in the Inspection of Colonisation, in all 34 conse- cutive years, feels it his duty to declare that, in this long period, in spite of his nationality, he has received nothing but attentions and been afforded every consideration, from — 117 —

his chiefs and colleagues in the three different Departments of the Public Service, as also from his private friends and acquaintances. „ (Signed.)—Nicanor Boloña. Santiago, May 5th, 1923.

“ El Mercurio,” Antofagasta, published the following in terview with the Peruvian Ex-Senator Señor Juan Duran,.in its edition of Feb. 16th, 1923:— Desirous of learning the opinión of Don Juan Duran, a prominent Peruvian politician, ex-Senator of his country, with regard to the matters at present under discussion, we presented ourselves to him yesterday, with the object of interviewing him. After the customary interchange of compliments, we enter- ed directíy on the matter. “Tell us, Señor Durand, how long have you been living here?” “ I have been about 11 months in Antofagasta.” “We understand that you were deported from Perú on account of the discovery of a conspiracy against the present ruler of the country, in which you were said to be concerned.” “That is true. I was expatriated on September lOth, 1919, the date on which the present President of Perú, Don Augusto B. Leguia, pretended to have discovered a conspiracy. There was no such conspiracy. Leguia wanted to prepare the ground for the innumerable outrages of every kind that he Eas perpetrated in my country, and, in order to do this, he had to get rid of all those who, from their political and per sonal position, could have placed obstacles in his way. After the burning of ‘La Prensa’ and ‘El Comercio’ in Lima, as well as some private houses, effected at that time, he embarked us for New York. There were twelve of us deported.” “How did you come here?” “I carne to Bolivia, from whence I was expelled, doubtless through the machinations of Leguia. In this affair the pre- — 118 —

sidents of both branches of the legislature made attempts m my favour, and there was an interesting debate in the Bolivian Senate, sustained by the representative Don Domingo Ra mírez, in defence of the right of asylum for politicians in trouble. Not being allowed to live in Bolivia, I carne on to this city.” “And how are you treated here by the authorities and prívate persons?” ¡ ■ _ “Nobody interferes with me. I live quietly and with com plete liberty, whilst the people here are very kind and courteous to me.” “ Do you expect to return soon to your own country?” “ I presume so. It is logical to suppose that such an abo minable government must end sooner or later. Happily, the only things that countries do not get accustomed to is crime.” “ But they assure us that President Leguia will be re- electéd?” “To-day there is no such thing as electoral law in Perú. The majority of the institutions that are the sources of votation have been brutally suppressed. This idea of re-election is simply an evidence of senile decay in Leguia and will be the cause of a healthy reaction, which will put an end to all the illegalities that are effected to-day. You know that when a man gets beside himself it is always the eve of his downfall, and this will be the case with Leguia.”

We might ñame many Peruvians under this heading who carry on professional work in Chile in absolute tranquillity. Among them may be named, since he has obtained the most prominent position, the lawyer, Don Víctor Belaunde, who Iives. in Santiago and who frequently pleads in our Courts of Justice. 119 -

Why the Peruvian Population of Tacna and Arica has Diminished.

W e will now occupy ourselves with a statement of general character which the Peruvian propaganda considers as one of the most solid bases on which it founds its conclusions. This statement is to the effect that “The Peruvian popu lation is gradually diminishing generally throughout Chile and more particularly in Tacna and Arica.” This is an actual fact, but its causes are not related to the supposed acts of hostility on the part of the Chilian Gov ernment against resident Peruvians. It is sufficient to recall the fact that in Tarapaca, Antofagasta and Taltal some 69,000 persons were thrown out of work by the paralisation of the nitrate industry as a result of the war. Among these unemployed workmen there were, naturally, a high propor- tion of Peruvians and other foreigners, who, like the Chilians, had to leave the pampa and seek support in their former homes. Thus, on that occasion, the Intendencia of Iquique embarked for the South of Chile 8,452 Chilians, 8,233 Peruvians for Perú, 5,361 Bolivians to ckfferent places and a considerable number of other foreigners. To explain this point, more clearly we consider it of interest to reproduce a Report of the Director-General of Sta- - - 120

tistics, Don Alberto Edwards, occasioned by the Peruvian accusations and published in one of the Santiago papers. The Report reads as follows: “There is nothing more unfounded than these accusations of expulsions, as I can easily prove,” said he. “You can see here”— showing us the Census report for the year 1907— “that, of the 27,146 Peruvians registered, none appear as residing in Tacna, for the simple reason thát since the definite nationality of that province was still undecided, the Census Commission decided that the Peruvians and Chilian residents alike should be considered as on the same footing. “Since the Peruvians of the Province of Tacna do not appear in this Census the diminution to which reference is made cannot be attributed to the movement of population occurring there. “On the other hand, this diminution in the number of Peruvians,” said Señor Edwards, “is explained by the strain- ed relations existing between the two countries, which is not exactly calculated to encourage the immigration of Peru vians to Chile, or vice versa, since only a constant immigra tion could have filled up the gaps made by death among oíd residents whose sons, having been born in Chile, are Chilians. “But there is a more important cause which alone nearly suffices to explain the diminution in the number of Peru vians resident in Chile, and that is the nitrate crisis, which has expelled, without artificial aid, from Tarapaca and Antofagasta, not only Peruvians, but Chilians also. The unemployed in Santiago exceed in number the entire dimi nution in the Peruvians resident in these provinces. It is natural, since there was no work there for Chilians, there was none for Peruvians either. The same thing happened in the nitrate crisis of 1895, when it did not occur to anybody to talk about expulsions. Of the 34,901 Peruvians who where there then, only 15,999 were left, less than half. I am going to give you,” said Señor Edwards in conclu- - - 121 sion, “ a table in which you can see, distributed by provinces, the number of Peruvian residents in Chile according to the Census figures of the years 1907 and 1920” :

1907 1920

T a c n a ...... 7,157 T a ra p a c a ...... 33,574 4,010 Antofagasta ...... 1,749 273 A ta c am a ...... 46 15 Coquim bo...... 91 27 Aconcagua ...... 20 14 V alparaíso...... 813 146 S antiago...... 594 282 O ’H iggins...... 22 7 C olchagua...... 10 5 C urico...... 13 3 T a lc a ...... 10 5 L in ares...... 6 1 M a u lé ...... 3 3 Ñ u b le ...... 10 4 Concepción...... 100 38 Arauco ...... 1 B io b io ...... 4 M alleco...... 10 C a u tín ...... 10 V a ld iv ia ...... 12 Llanquihue...... 9 C hiloe...... i Magallanes . . . . . 25 13

Total ...... 27,140 12,056 122 —

Actual Expulsions: Motives that Justified Them.

(Significant Documents.)

As we have already said, we do not pretend to assert that there have been no expulsions of foreigners. Such a thing could not be said of any province or country. On the contrary, the expulsión of undesirable foreigners and even the refusal to them of admission to the territory, is a defence frequently made use of in Chile, in order to prevent the settlement in the country of foreigners who make a profession of law-breaking or of spreading seditious doctrines. With this object in view, Chile has impeded the entry to her territory, or has expelled from it, many foreigners be- longing to different nationalities. Among them, and since the incorporation of the province of Tacna in her sovereignty, there have been expelled 55 Peruvians, for reasons that would have amply justified the measure in other countries, as may be demonstrated by the reports on the cases preserved in the archives of the Foreign Affairs Department. Among these expelled persons are numbered the ringleaders who have fomented rebellion against our laws or institutions, individuáis who have spread false news with the object of preventing the arrival at a friendly agreemertt between Chile and Perú, liquor smugglers, white slave tra- ders, exploiters of vice, pettifoggers who abuse the ignorance of the Peruvian Indians themselves for the object of stealing their property and, finally, deserters from the Peruvian army who have crossed the frontier with their arms and equipment and even with their horses, and who have been returned to their own country to receive due punishment. To be set off against these few expulsions, all well justi- — 123 — fied, the statistics show a monthly ingress, over the Tacna frontier, of more than two hundred pacific Peruvians who come here to carry on business under the protection of the local authorities. At times these justifiable expulsions serve as a base for the Peruvian authorities and Press to disguise their true character and represent them as cases of outrage and hostility committed by the Government of Chile. Occasions have not been lacking in which the order to leave the country has been falsified in order to serve personal quarrels between business competitors who desire to do each other damage. Fi nally, Peruvian diplomats in the neighbouring countries have given, without any justification, certificates bearing witness to expulsions that have never taken place. The first Secretary of the Peruvian Legation in Bolivia gave the following document in the year 1919: “Peruvian Legation in Bolivia.— The undersigned certi- fies that Antonio Mollo, a Peruvian citizen, a native of Putre (Arica), has been expelled from that place by the Chilian authorities. La Paz, 29 Jan. (Signed).—José María Barreto, First Secretary of the Peruvian Legation. (Sealed). Señor Barreto was stationed in La Paz, and could not possibly know what had occurred in Arica, an enormous distance away. Significant cases also, are those of the Peruvian citizen, Manuel Anze, who in January, 1922, received a written invitation to leave the province, an invitation signed by the Secretary of the Commission, and who finally turned out to be one of his commercial competitors; and of the Spanish citizen, Basilio Iriarte, who was supposed to have been ex pelled from Tacna for having shown his sympathies for the Peruvian cause, and who turns out to have been a swindler, according to note. No. 38 of Vice-Consul ih Iquique, dated Feb. 23, 1922. A typical case of this kind of falsification of fact took place recently with Max R. Morales, who was called by — 124 — “La Prensa” of Lima, in Feb. 1923, “ a Peruvian martyr” and “a well known inhabitant of Arica.” When the case was investigated, it turned out that Morales had arrived in Arica on May 1 Oth, 1922, flying from Bolivian justice that was pursuing him for theft. The Peruvian Cónsul in Oruro, Señor C. Zaco, had obtained his conditional liberty whilst the case was being investigated. Taking advantage of these circumstances, Morales, with the recommendation of the Bolivian doctor, Apolinar Mendizabal, given on a card dated May 2nd, attempted to obtain from the Cónsul of that country a certifícate of Colombian nationality. Eight days later, he obtained a certifícate of Mexican nationality, and, as a Mexican, arrived to practise his arts in Arica. He began his activities there by manufacturing and selling pornographic photographs to the boys. Soon afterwards he established, in company with a Bolivian citizen called V ar gas, a candle factory; but the business carne to an abrupt end when the said Señor Vargas found that Morales was swindling him and stealing the raw material. Later on Morales attempted to start operations with Señor Clemente Cervellini, whom “La Prensa” of Lima calis his “partner” and accused him of having illtreated him. Señor Cervellini, however protested against this in a. letter directed to “La Aurora” of Arica on Feb. 15th, in it revealing the true' personality and frauds of the “distinguished resident of Arica” whom the “ Prensa” describes as a very honourable person. Many similar cases might be cited by us to prove that the greater number of the “victims of Chilian outrages” are generally recruited from the lowest levels of the population of the province of Tacna, especially since orders have been given to exercise greater custom-house vigilance on the northern frontier to put an end to the liquor smuggling, but we believe that the examples given will suffice. In order to justify the accusations that are made against Chile, not only have imaginary cases of expulsión been forged and the character of those actual expulsions rendered — 125 necessary as a measure of national defence perverted, but the Peruvian Government has even paid in one or other ways for false declarations likely to be of use in its campaign. Evidence exists that the Government of Perú has offered and has paid for passages from Tacna to all nationals who care to make use of them, with the solé obligation of declaring that they have been expelled by the Chilian Authorities. These passages were arranged for, principally, by señores Manuel Belaunde and Dr. Parodio, ex-residents of Tacna and domiciled at that time (1919-1920) in Lima. Here are a few acts, declarations and documents that prove what we have said, and which are in our possession: “On June 3rd, 1919, appeared the Peruvian citizens, Pedro Aristides Quea Sologuren and Antero Berrios Gil, living in this city, and who declared: That in April last they resolved to make a journey to Lima, the first with the object of being treated for a disease of the eyes and the other as his companion; that Don Héctor Veliz, Sub- Prefect of Locumba, whom they met by chance in Lima, advised them to go overland to his Department, where he would afford them the• facilities necessary for their voyage on account of the Peruvian Government; that on such understanding they left this city on the 12th, arriving the following day at Locumba, where they were informed by Señor Veliz that the order for free passages was not ready, but that if they signed an act of protest to the effect that they had been expelled from Tacna by the authorities, he would so arrange matters that they might continué their voyage. They refused, saying that they did not consider it prudent or reasonable to sign such an act, since they had not suffered any such expulsión, and that, in view of the. difficulties that had arisen, they preferred to return to this city. Señor Veliz told them that it was a matter for them to decide, for which reason they set out on the return journey, arriving here on the 17th of the same month. In evidence of which they append their signatures.— Pedro Aristides Quea Sologuren.—Antero Berrios Gil.” — 126 — The Señora Clotilde Carbonell de Bacigalupe, domiciled in Avenida Baquedano, declares that in the month of May, 1919, her son John, who was in Lima, told her that he had obtained from the Peruvian Government two cabin passages, which they could ask for in the Office of the English Steamer Company in Arica, in order that they could, if they liked, go to that Capital, and that she, in order not to lose the opportunity of the above mentioned passages, resolved to make a pleasure trip with her daughter Carmen, returning two months after to this city at her own expense.

(Signed.)— Clotilde Carbonell de Bacigalupe.”

Tacna, March 1920.

“ In Tacna, Feb. 24th, 1922, appeared Don José Antonio Albarracin, a Peruvian of 41 years of age and domiciled in Calle Colon, No. 80, and declared: “About two years ago, more or less, my brother Victorio González, who lives in Lima, wrote to me suggesting that I should go to live there, and that he had obtained from the Peruvian Govern ment six deck passages which could be obtained at the of fice of the English Steamer Co. in Arica, in order that I might go there with my family. A few days later, the Agency of the above Company notified me by telephone, through Sr. Landa, the Manager of the Raiteri Hotel in this city, that the passages were at my disposal, but I answered that I did not require them as at present neither I ñor my family had any intention of leaving Tacna.

(Signed.)—José Antonio Albarracin.” — 127 —

Contradictory Peruvian Assertions.

How Chilians are Treated in Perú.

It is necessary now to bring against the Peruvian statements an argument of a purely logical order. On the erroneous hypothesis that the facts serving as a base for the charges formulated against the Chilian Government were true, it is necessary to ask, what interest have our authorities in alienating and expelling the Peruvian residents of the Territory of Tacna and Arica? The Press in Lima and the Government of Perú sustain that this interest consists in the desire of modifying the elec toral conditions. Our accusers believe that we are attempting to reduce the Peruvian population in Tacna and Arica by every means in our power in order that, in the case of a ple biscite being held to settle the question of the North in the manner laid down in the Treaty of Ancón, the voters in favour of Perú shall be reduced to the smallest possible number. This theory was completely overthrown by our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Señor Ernesto Barros Jarpa, who, in the conversation of December 1921, declared that for the purpose of the Plebiscite all the members of the Peruvian population who could prove that they had been expelled by violence or by order of the authorities, were at full liberty to return. Above all, it can be said that the Peruvian Chancellery itself, in its constant accusations against Chile, has forgotten to proceed with the uniformity necessary to avoid possible contradictions. Thus, whilst the press in Lima speaks of 25,000 or more refugees from Tacna, President Leguia affirmed to a correspondent of "L a Nación” of Buenos Aires, — 128 — on December 16th, that the number of persons expelled was 10,000; the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Señor Salomen, officially replying to his Chilian Colleague speaks of 18,000 and in his report of the 9th of January to “The New York Times” reduced the number of persons deported to 1,000, and, finally, in another interview, mentioned only 500. . Finally, it is of interest to bring forward as an official denial of all the Peruvian statements the Circular of De cember 3rd, 1916, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs himself, Señor Tudela, who declares in this document, of ficially, as follows: “It should be established, first of all, that the new attacks against the Peruvian population have been committed in Pisagua and more especially in Iquique, which are the prin cipal ports of the oíd Peruvian Department, and to-day the Chilian Province of Tarapaca, to avoid the confusión that may possibly be produced in universal opinión by the Certi ficóles of the Consular agents resident in Tacna and Arica, which certify that in these former Peruvian provinces, at present occupied by Chile, there have been no attacks on Peruvians.” It thus remains established, by the declaration of the Mi nister of Foreign Affairs in Perú himself that, in spite of the accusations emanating from the agents of his Chancellery, there have been “no attacks against Peruvians” in Tacna and Arica. A t the side of the testimonies of business men of Tacna and Arica, of the Peruvian residents of this territory and of the declaration of the Peruvian Chancellery itself, which confirm our assertion with regard to the fact that the Chilian Government extends to Peruvian nationals the same guarantees as are enjoyed by the Chilians, we present merely as a testimony of the treatment which our countrymen receive in Perú, the ¡atest information on the matter published in the Press. — 129 —

Sanguinary Happenings in Perú.

The troops charge workmen and students.— Many Victims. — the Rector of the University of Lima and several students arrested.—A Chilian Citizen ís Barbarously Assassínated.— The Storx) told by some Passengers entering Chilian Waters.

(“El Mercurio,” Santiago, 29t/i M ay, 1923.)

Communications received last night from our correspon- dents in the northern provinces give an account of sanguinary events that have taken place in Perú and of a savage crime of which a Chilian Citizen, whose ñame is not yet known, has been the victim. Our correspondent in Arica has sent us the following telegram: “On board the Germán steamer ‘-Rapot’ have returned from Germany Faustino Ramírez, seaman and quarter- master, and Alejandro Muñoz Orrego, the latter travelling as engine room hand. “They say that they were not allowed to disembark in Callao and that six policemen were put on board because they were Chilians. “They say that in Lima there has been a massacre of students and workmen who had gathered to protest against the decisión of the Government that declared the Sacred Heart of Jesús Patrón of Perú. (3) — 130

“There have been several dead and wounded. It is known also that in the port a Chilian citizen was put to a horrible death. This confirms what was told in Arica by two Aus- trian citizens who were travelling to Valparaíso on board the steamer ‘Oroya.’ “On account of these very grave happenings the Univer- sity of Lima went into mourning. Á general strike was prcclaimed also, all transit being suspended in Lima, Callao, in the watering places of Chorrillos and Miraflores and also on the railways in the interior. “Finally, the Rector of the University, Don Manuel Vi cente Villaran, together with several students, has been arrested.” Our correspondent in Iquique sends us the following telegram that confirms the statements in the previous communication: “ News has arrived here to the effect that in the Peruvian port of lio a Chilian citizen has been barbarously beaten. His body has been found since half a league from the town, eaten by the vultures. “ In the steamer ‘Oroya’ were voyaging to Valparaíso the passengers, Juan Nikolich and Francisco Arestich, who have declared that they embarked in Moliendo and that the news about the torture and death of a Chilian citizen is true, though his ñame is not known. “There is also news to the effect that the flag has been outraged in the town of Pica, a fact that has caused uni versal indignation.”