Exposition of illegal acts of ex-president Balmaceda

sisal

EXPOSITION

THE

ILLEGAL

EX-PRESIDE1MT

f/

/

ACTS

BALMACEDA,

WHICH

CAUSED

THE

CIVIL

P E D R O

Confidential

Agent

WAR

IN

M O N T T ,

of the Constitutional

Government:

WASHINGTON:

1; !

CHILE.

OIBSON BROS^, PRINTERS AND BOOKBINDERS.

1891.

EXPOSITION OF

THE

ILLEGAL

ACTS

OF

EX-PRESIDENT BALMAGEDA WHICH

CAUSED

THE

CIVIL

WAR

IN

CHILE.

BY

P E D R O

Confidential

Agent

M O N T T ,

of tlic Constitutional

WASHINGTON

Government.

:

G I B S O N B R O S . , P R I N T E R S AND BOOKBINDERS. 1S91.

Exposition of the illegal A c t s of ex-President BaL maceda, which caused the Civil W a r in Chile.

I. O n e of t h e m o s t a d m i r a b l e characteristics of t h e p e o p l e of the great A m e r i c a n R e p u b l i c is their l o v e of fair p l a y , and their s y m p a t h y for n a t i o n s struggling for the m a i n t e n a n c e of l i b e r t i e s and constitutional rights.

O w i n g to t h e r e m o t e n e s s of

o u r c o u n t r y , and the p e r s i s t -

ent m i s r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s of the p u b l i c and secret agents of M r .

B a l m a c e d a in this c o u n t r y , t h r o u g h the p u b l i c p r e s s , s o m e p e r s o n s h a v e b e e n m i s l e d i n t o the belief that w e are in r e b e l l i o n against a lawful a n d b e n i g n g o v e r n m e n t .

W e desire

t o g i v e a statement of facts, that an u n b i a s s e d o p i n i o n m a y b e f o r m e d as to t h e merits of the struggle w h i c h is n o w d e l u g i n g o u r u n h a p p y c o u n t r y with fraternal b l o o d .

O u r C h i l i a n R e p u b l i c , a l t h o u g h t h e m o s t r e m o t e o n this c o n t i n e n t f r o m the U n i t e d States, h a s a l w a y s e n d e a v o r e d to p r o v e herself a w o r t h y m e m b e r of t h e s i s t e r h o o d of A m e r i can R e p u b l i c s .

B u t , u n f o r t u n a t e l y for o u r national p r i d e , we

are now- f o r c e d to c o n f e s s and lament that we c a n n o t

claim

for o u r p e o p l e a n d c o u n t r y that c o n t i n u i t y of p r o s p e r i t y a n d h a p p i n e s s w h i c h , until the p r e s e n t y e a r , g a v e s u c h gratif}'ing p r o m i s e f o r the future greatness of o u r R e p u b l i c .

B u t w e feel confident that the A m e r i c a n p e o p l e , w h o s e v e n eration for r e p u b l i c a n institutions a n d l o v e of liberty are n o t o r i o u s , after a full k n o w l e d g e of the o r i g i n of o u r p r e s e n t

4 struggle and the m a n n e r in w h i c h it is b e i n g c o n d u c t e d b y the o p p o s i n g parties, will d o o u r c a u s e the full justice

of

their a p p r o v a l , b e a r i n g in m i n d that the right is always f e a r fully h a n d i c a p p e d , at the i n c e p t i o n of a struggle for l i b e r t y , b y the fact that d e s p o t i c authority is in p o s s e s s i o n of the c a p ital, and is l o o k e d u p o n

b y f o r e i g n n a t i o n s as the de

facto

g o v e r n m e n t , a n d its o p p o s e r s as insurgents a n d r e b e l s .

A brief review of the causes w h i c h h a v e l e d to the p r e s ent civil struggle in o u r c o u n t r y will s h o w that o u r C o n s t i tutional G o v e r n m e n t is n o less the g o v e r n m e n t de jure

than

was that of the Continental C o n g r e s s in the r e v o l t against the tyranny of G e o r g e I I I in the last century, and is entitled to n o less s y m p a t h y and a p p r o v a l .

II. CHILE

UNTIL

1890.

A s is well k n o w n , the R e p u b l i c of

Chile is situated at the

s o u t h e r n extremity of the S o u t h A m e r i c a n c o n t i n e n t .

A f t e r a c h i e v i n g her i n d e p e n d e n c e f r o m S p a i n , Chile o r g a n i z e d a r e p u b l i c a n g o v e r n m e n t , a n d in 1833 a d o p t e d the Constitution w h i c h , u p t o the p r e s e n t y e a r , c o n t i n u e d to exist.

U n d e r the guarantees of this C o n s t i t u t i o n , she

established

a n d maintained internal tranquility, a n d was p r o u d to march a l o n g the b r o a d r o a d of m o d e m p r o g r e s s .

T h e p o p u l a t i o n , w h i c h in 1833 d i d not e x c e e d 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 , is t o - d a y m o r e than 3,000,000.

T h e public revenues have in-

creased f r o m $1,000,000 to 8 5 6 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , o w i n g to t h e i n c r e a s e of national wealth, and n o t t h r o u g h excessive taxation.

Edu-

c a t i o n , p u b l i c a n d private, has b e e n successfully p r o m o t e d , a n d is n o w p o p u l a r with the m a s s e s .

Railroad and telegraph

5 lines run through the l a n d , e x t e n d i n g their benefits to the t o w n s and cities of the R e p u b l i c , and b y o c e a n c a b l e s is in c o m m u n i c a t i o n with t h e w h o l e w o r l d .

Chile

H e r p e o p l e find

remunerative e m p l o y m e n t in c o m m e r c e , m i n i n g , agriculture, a n d the useful arts, in all of w h i c h f o r e i g n e r s of all n a t i o n s p a r t i c i p a t e , e n j o j ' i n g the same rights and p r i v i l e g e s as d o the citizens

of the c o u n t r y .

Absolute

toleration

is

accorded

t o all r e l i g i o u s d e n o m i n a t i o n s , and t h e o b s e r v a n c e of the Constitution

and

laws,

by

the

magistrates

and

people,

was the g u a r a n t e e of p u b l i c o r d e r , internal tranquility

and

progress.

U n d e r the C o n s t i t u t i o n of 1 8 3 3 , p o p u l a r g o v e r n m e n t was established.

The executive

power

dent, w h o is e l e c t e d e v e r y five y e a r s .

is

vested in a P r e s i -

T h e legislative p o w e r

r e s i d e s in t w o h o u s e s , b o t h elected by the p e o p l e , and w h o s e members

received

no

remuneration.

c o u r t s h o l d their offices for life

The

or g o o d

judges

of

the

b e h a v i o r , a n d , in

the exercise of their f u n c t i o n s , are i n d e p e n d e n t of the o t h e r d e p a r t m e n t s of the G o v e r n m e n t .

T h e P r e s i d e n t a p p o i n t s t h e ministers, w i t h o u t the c o n c u r r e n c e of t h e Senate (as is n e c e s s a r y in the U n i t e d

States)

o r o t h e r b o d y , a n d t h e y can b e m e m b e r s of

House,

either

a n d w h e n n o t m e m b e r s can assist at its s e s s i o n s , taking part in its d i s c u s s i o n s , b u t n o t v o t i n g .

The

fundamental dispositions

that g o v e r n

t h e relations

b e t w e e n the P r e s i d e n t a n d C o n g r e s s , are the f o l l o w i n g : 1. T h e b u d g e t o r a p p r o p r i a t i o n s f o r c a r i y i n g o n t h e G o v e r n m e n t , and f o r o t h e r p u b l i c u s e s , are v o t e d C o n g r e s s , and n o m o n i e s

can b e taken f r o m

annually b y the T r e a s u r y

w i t h o u t this annual law.

2. T h e taxes are fixed P r e s i d e n t is p r o h i b i t e d

annually b y C o n g r e s s , a n d

the

f r o m o r d e r i n g the c o l l e c t i o n o r r e -

6 c e i v i u g any taxes or i m p o s t s , if not a u t h o r i z e d b y C o n g r e s s , for a p e r i o d n o t e x c e e d i n g eighteen m o n t h s .

3. T h e f o r c e s of the a r m y and n a v y are fixed b y C o n g r e s s annually, and without this law n o a r m y o r n a v y can legally exist in Chile.

4. T r o o p s c a n n o t b e q u a r t e r e d in the p l a c e w h e r e C o n g r e s s is in session, o r within thirty miles of it, w i t h o u t t h e

special

p e r m i s s i o n of C o n g r e s s , g r a n t e d b y law e v e r y y e a r .

5. T h e P r e s i d e n t c a n n o t b e i m p e a c h e d d u r i n g t h e term of his office, and n o o r d e r of the P r e s i d e n t s h o u l d b e o b e y e d w i t h o u t the signature of a C a b i n e t Minister w h o a s s u m e s the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , a n d is i m p e a c h a b l e b y the H o u s e of

Repre-

sentatives b e f o r e t h e S e n a t e .

These

fundamental

principles

were

w i t h o u t interruption, f r o m 1833 t o seven years.

observed

in C h i l e ,

1890, a space

of

fifty-

T h e power which they confer on Congress to

participate in the administration of the g o v e r n m e n t , a n d t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of the P r e s i d e n t , o n the o n e h a n d , a n d the p r i v i l e g e t h e y a c c o r d the ministry to j o i n in the d e b a t e s of C o n g r e s s , and their r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ,

on the other, b r o u g h t

a b o u t the result that n o ministry can carry o n the ment, o r exercise their f u n c t i o n s w i t h o u t the

govern-

acquiescence

o r c o n f i d e n c e o f the legislative b o d y .

T h u s , u n d e r the g u i d a n c e of the ablest and p u r e s t m e n of t h e c o u n t r y , a c o m p l e t e

s y s t e m of

parliamentary

gov-

ernment g r e w u p , and was universally r e c o g n i z e d as t h e law

of the land,

ceptional

and to

tranquility

under w h i c h ยง120,000,000,

and

its

excellence

prosperity

her f o r e i g n c o m m e r c e while

was d u e the

enjoyed

by

ex-

Chile,

for 1889 i n c r e a s e d to

the m o s t e n l i g h t e n e d a n d p r o g r e s s i v e

laws were i n c o r p o r a t e d in h e r statute b o o k s : for i n s t a n c e ,

7 a law g i v i n g t h e right of suffrage t o e v e r y m a l e citizen 21 years

old, without

r e a d a n d write.

o t h e r specification

than his ability

to

A m u n i c i p a l r e f o r m law, w h i c h r e s e m b l e d

t h o s e in f o r c e in the U n i t e d States, h a d b e e n p a s s e d b y t h e H o u s e s , b u t was o p p o s e d b y M r . B a l m a c e d a .

Eleven regularly,

presidential p e r i o d s h a v e under

the

iEgis

s u c c e e d e d each o t h e r ,

of the

Constitution

of

1833,

n a m e l y , that of G e n e r a l P r i e t o , t w o terms, f r o m 1831

to

1841 ; G e n e r a l B u l n e s , t w o terms, f r o m 1 8 4 1 t o 1 8 5 1 ; D o n M a n u e l M o n t t f r o m 1 8 5 1 to 1 8 6 1 ; D o n J o a q u i n P e r e z f r o m 1861 to 1 8 7 1 ; D o n F e d e r i c o Errazuriz f r o m 1 8 7 1 to 1876 ; D o n A n i b a l P i n t o f r o m 1876 to 1881 ; and D o n

Domingo

Santa M a r i a f r o m 1881 to 1886.

A l l t h e s e d i s t i n g u i s h e d statesmen d i s c h a r g e d their e x e c u tive duties in strict c o n f o r m i t y with t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n

and

laws of t h e R e p u b l i c , r e n d e r i n g them willing h o m a g e , even in

periods

of

dangerous

popular

excitement, which

t u r b e d the c o u n t r y s o m e thirty o r f o r t y y e a r s a g o . retired f r o m p o w e r at the e x p i r a t i o n terms, h a n d i n g

of their

dis-

T h e y all

presidential

o v e r intact t o their s u c c e s s o r s

the s a c r e d

d e p o s i t of t h e institutions a n d laws c o n f i d e d to their care.

I t was left

to the present

claimant of the

presidential

office t o b r e a k this l o n g a n d h o n o r a b l e r e c o r d .

M r . B a l m a c e d a w a s elected P r e s i d e n t with the s u p p o r t o f t h e liberal p a r t y in 1 8 8 6 .

H e h a d d i s t i n g u i s h e d himself

as

a m e m b e r of the H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , a n d as M i n i s t e r of State.

H e h a d , on all o c c a s i o n s , p r o c l a i m e d the d o c t r i n e

w h i c h h a d n e v e r in Chile b e e n called in q u e s t i o n , that C a b inets c o u l d n o t exist w i t h o u t t h e a c q u i e s c e n c e of

Congress,

a n d that the a c q u i e s c e n c e of C o n g r e s s was essential to t h e c o n t i n u a n c e in p o w e r of

a Chilian c a b i n e t , just as a c o n -

8 firmation

b y the

Senate

is

necessary

to e n a b l e

Cabinet

officers to p e r f o r m their f u n c t i o n s in t h e U n i t e d States.

D u r i n g the first y e a r s of his administration, M r . B a l m a c e d a was discreet, conciliating, a n d attentive to the v o i c e of lic

opinion, and

succeeded

in

pub-

reuniting the liberal p a r t y ,

w h i c h , in t h e heat of the c a m p a i g n , resulting in his e l e c tion, h a d b e c o m e d i v i d e d . liberal

Thus,

accepted

by

the

entire

party, thereafter his administration was u n o p p o s e d .

I n his messages to C o n g r e s s in 1887 a n d 1 8 8 8 , which

he

read o n its o p e n i n g , he felicitated its m e m b e r s u p o n the sati s f a c t o r y results of o u r parliamentary system of g o v e r n m e n t , a n d u p o n the p r o g r e s s the c o u n t r y was m a k i n g u n d e r it.

III. COMMENCEMENT

OF

TROUBLES.

U p to this time, the p o l i t i c a l c o u r s e of B a l m a c e d a was consistent and p a t r i o t i c .

B u t , i n t o x i c a t e d b y the exercise

of p o w e r , h e was loath to s u r r e n d e r it.

A s he could not

h o l d office for a s e c o n d term, h e d e t e r m i n e d to e n j o y all its s u b s t a n t i a l fruits, b y

f o r c i n g i n t o the P r e s i d e n t i a l office

creature of his o w n selection, w h o w o u l d b e m e r e l y a

a

locum

tencns, while lie w o u l d b e the real P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c , a n d b e a b l e to elect himself for t h e s u c c e e d i n g term.

W i t h far-casting d i p l o m a c y a n d intrigue, h e p u t in o p e r a tion all t h e influence of his office and administrative

ma-

c h i n e r y to effect his p u r p o s e .

T h e intimate p e r s o n a l friend d e s i g n e d as his

successor

h a d n o n e of t h e qualifications n e c e s s a r y for the P r e s i d e n c y , and his elevation was bitterly c o m b a t t e d b y p u b l i c o p i n i o n , a n d all the "provinces ; a n d b o t h h o u s e s of C o n g r e s s e c h o e d t h e will of t h e p e o p l e .

9 N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e denial of the P r e s i d e n t of any u n c o n stitutional d e s i g n s , the C a b i n e t , at w h o s e h e a d was M r . D e m e t r i o Last-aria ( w h o r e c e n t l y p e r i s h e d in the winter s n o w s of t h e A n d e s e s c a p i n g f r o m the p e r s e c u t i o n s of M r . B a l m a ceda), profoundly

distrusted h i m and r e s i g n e d .

Congress

was equally s u s p i c i o u s , a n d distrusted his p r o f e s s i o n s good

faith.

A s a guarantee

of it, h e was i n d u c e d ,

of

after

various c o n f e r e n c e s with the l e a d i n g m e n of the R e p u b l i c , to a p p o i n t a C a b i n e t in a c c o r d with p u b l i c sentiment, and in opposition

to presidential intervention in the c h o i c e of a

new President.

T h i s C a b i n e t w a s constituted o n the 2 3 d of O c t o b e r 1 8 8 9 , a n d C o n g r e s s m a n i f e s t e d its satisfaction b y p a s s i n g the a p p r o p r i a t i o n a n d a r m y bills for the y e a r 1 8 9 0 , as well as v a r i o u s laws for the general

good.

B u t the p e o p l e were n o t d e c e i v e d b y the P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o fessions, and entertained a p r o f o u n d distrust of his s i n c e r ity.

T h e s e s u s p i c i o n s were s p e e d i l y c o n f i r m e d b y M r . B a l -

m a c e d a ' s o w n friends, w h o

opeiity d e c l a r e d that as s o o n as

Congress

appropriation

had passed

the

bill

the

present

C a b i n e t w o u l d b e of n o further use.

T h e ministry called the attention of the P r e s i d e n t t o t h e general distrust, and b e s o u g h t h i m t o a s s e m b l e

C o n g r e s s in

e x t r a o r d i n a r y session, in o r d e r to p u t an e n d to p o p u l a r fears.

M r . B a l m a c e d a a c c e p t e d this a d v i c e with a p p a r e n t p l e a s u r e , and a u t h o r i z e d t h e ministers to d e c l a r e in b o t h H o u s e s the President's solemn promise d i n a r y session in the m o u t h

to call C o n g r e s s t o an

extraor-

of A p r i l , 1 8 9 0 , w h e n its m e m -

b e r s w o u l d h a v e r e t u r n e d to the capital f r o m their

summer

v a c a t i o n ; a n d further, that during that session a new e l e c toral law, m a d e n e c e s s a r y b y a c h a n g e in the Constitution the

10 y e a r b e f o r e , affecting t h e electoral b a s i s , e s t a b l i s h e d b y t h e p r o v i s i o n s of

the o l d law, w o u l d b e d i s c u s s e d ; a l s o , that

m u n i c i p a l r e f o r m law, s o l o u d l y d e m a n d e d b y t h e

public,

w o u l d b e p r e s e n t e d for c o n s i d e r a t i o n .

The head

of the ministry, M r . S a n c h e z F o n t e c i l l a , a n -

n o u n c e d to b o t h H o u s e s of C o n g r e s s the s o l e m n p r o m i s e of the P r e s i d e n t .

T h e a p p r o p r i a t i o n bill a n d t h e array a n d na.vy bill h a v i n g b e e n p a s s e d a n d a p p r o v e d in the last d a y s of D e c e m b e r , p o p ular fears w e r e realized.

I n J a n u a r y , 1 8 9 0 , the P r e s i d e n t d e -

m a n d e d t h e resignation of t h e Cabinet.

H e closed Congress

a n d a p p o i n t e d n e w ministers, c h o s e n f r o m his p e r s o n a l friends (in Chile, as has b e e n already e x p l a i n e d , confirmation b y t h e Senate n o t b e i n g n e c e s s a r y ) , a n d set to w o r k with s e l f - l a u d a t o r y d e c l a r a t i o n s , and all t h e r e s o u r c e s of p r o m i s e s , threats, and t h e distribution of p u b l i c e m p l o y m e n t s , to allure t h e members

of C o n g r e s s and win o v e r a m a j o r i t y of t h e m t o

his interest.

The

attempts at c o r r u p t i o n and intimidation w e r e , h o w -

ever, in vain, a n d h e failed to win a single partizan.

O n the

c o n t r a r y , his illegal p r o c e e d i n g s alienated m a n y of his friends w h o , u p to that t i m e , h a d s u p p o r t e d h i m .

IV. BALMACEDA V I O L A T E S HIS SOLEMN PROMISES REVOLUTIONARY

AND I N A U G U R A T E S

MEASURES.

T h e m o n t h of A p r i l , 1890, arrives, a n d p a s s e s , a n d M r . B a l m a c e d a , in v i o l a t i o n of his s o l e m n p r o m i s e , fails to c o n v o k e C o n g r e s s in e x t r a o r d i n a r y session.

T h e Constitution of Chile p r o v i d e s that C o n g r e s s , in r e g u -

11 lar session, shall m e e t on the first of J u n e annually, for three months.

I t also p r o v i d e s that d u r i n g the r e c e s s of

Congress

t h e c o n s e r v a t i v e f u n c t i o n s of that b o d y , n a m e l y , the duty of p r e s e r v i n g a n d d e f e n d i n g the rights and privileges of the n a tion, a n d the p r o p e r o b s e r v a n c e of the laws, shall b e d e l e g a t e d t o a c o m m i s s i o n t e r m e d the " C o n s e r v a t i v e C o m m i t t e e , " c o m p o s e d of

seven

m e m b e r s of the S e n a t e , and an e q u a l

n u m b e r f r o m the H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , e l e c t e d b y t h e r e s p e c t i v e H o u s e s f r o m their o w n m e m b e r s .

T h i s C o m m i t t e e , b y the authority vested in it b y the C o n stitution, r e q u i r e d the P r e s i d e n t to o r d e r the c o n v o c a t i o n of C o n g r e s s in e x t r a o r d i n a r y session.

N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g his s o l -

e m n p r o m i s e and the i m p o r t a n t measures t o b e d i s p o s e d of at t h e a u t u m n session, the P r e s i d e n t refused.

F r o m this time f o r w a r d M r . B a l m a c e d a m a r c h e d b o l d l y on in his u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a n d r e v o l u t i o n a r y career.

O n the 30th

of M a y , h e n a m e d as chief of t h e C a b i n e t the p e r s o n w h o s e c a n d i d a c y f o r t h e P r e s i d e n t i a l chair was o n e

of the c a u s e s

of the p o l i t i c a l difficulties.

On the first of J u n e C o n g r e s s met in o r d i n a r y session, and i m m e d i a t e l y p a s s e d a v o t e of censure against the Ministers b y a large m a j o r i t y in b o t h h o u s e s . b r o k e n p r e c e d e n t s for

fifty-seven

But contrary to u n -

y e a r s , t h e y refused to s u r -

r e n d e r office.

O n the first of J u l y , the law a u t h o r i z i n g the c o l l e c t i o n of taxes e x p i r e d by c o n s t i t u t i o n a l limitation, a n d , fifteen d a y s b e f o r e , the H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s h a d d e c l a r e d it w o u l d n o t r e - e n a c t said law, unless a M i n i s t r y was a p p o i n t e d which

both President

and

Congress

had confidence,

in and

w h i c h w o u l d b e a g u a r a n t e e of the constitutional r e g i m e n .

The

censured

ministers c o n t i n u e d

in

office,

and

Con-

12 gress refused to d i s c u s s the r e v e n u e m e a s u r e s , and d u r i n g the entire m o n t h of J u l y n o Chile.

The public

taxes o r duties were

expenditures

collected

were m a d e with

in

surplus

funds a c c u m u l a t e d in the last y e a r s .

Strikes and riots w e r e the o r d e r of the d a y in V a l p a r a i s o and I q u i q u e , o u r t w o m o s t i m p o r t a n t agents

of the

Congress.

Executive

ports, fomented

for the p u r p o s e of

by

intimidating

T h e s e riots c a u s e d serious loss of p r o p e r t y , a n d

a still m o r e l a m e n t a b l e loss of life to p o o r p e o p l e .

At last the authorities b e c a m e frightened, a n d w e r e c o m p e l l e d to interfere, n o t daring to b r a v e the p u b l i c

indigna-

tion, w h i c h c o u l d n o t b e d e c e i v e d as to the c o m p l i c i t y of the e x e c u t i v e authority in these d i s o r d e r s .

V. PiiATs' M i N i s T i i Y . — O B L I G E D

TO

RESIGN.

C o n g r e s s c o n t i n u i n g firm at its p o s t of d u t y , the P r e s i d e n t was f o r c e d to s u b m i t , and on t h e 7th of A u g u s t n a m e d a n o t h e r ministry, p r e s i d e d o v e r b y M r . P r a t s , w h o left p o s t of

his

C h i e f - J u s t i c e of the S u p r e m e C o u r t to a c c e p t this

position.

H i s associates w e r e also g e n t l e m e n of t h e highest

character.

T h u s constituted, this M i n i s t r y e n j o y e d the fullest

c o n f i d e n c e of C o n g r e s s a n d of the nation.

T h i s ministry Houses

of

self h o n o r e d

b e g a n its f u n c t i o n s

b y d e c l a r i n g to b o t h

C o n g r e s s that the E x e c u t i v e b y the h o m a g e

considered

him-

w h i c h h e n o w renders t o the

N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s ; that it was a pleasing satisfaction

to

r e c o g n i z e that w i t h o u t the c o n c u r r e n c e of C o n g r e s s it was i m p o s s i b l e t o g o v e r n in h a r m o n y with the Constitution, and in a c c o r d a n c e with the u n i n t e r r u p t e d p r a c t i c e of the c o u n t r y d u r i n g its entire p e r i o d of i n d e p e n d e n t national e x i s t e n c e ;

13 .and that h e c o n g r a t u l a t e d himself that t h e u n p l e a s a n t c o n flict h a d terminated satisfactorily.

H a r m o n y a n d tranquility were r e - e s t a b l i s h e d , and

Con-

gress p a s s e d the law authorizing the c o l l e c t i o n of taxes b y the Executive.

A s t h e o r d i n a r y sitting of C o n g r e s s w o u l d c e a s e t h e first of S e p t e m b e r , the ministry, in the P r e s i d e n t ' s n a m e , p r o m i s e d that the C o n g r e s s w o u l d b e c o n v e n e d in extra

session for

O c t o b e r , for the p u r p o s e

project

municipal

of legislating

r e f o r m and other laws.

on the

of

I n t h o s e s e s s i o n s the

a p p r o p r i a t i o n bill and the a r m y and n a v y bill w o u l d

also

b e discussed.

According

to

the Constitution, the

President

convenes

C o n g r e s s in extra session w h e n n e c e s s a r y for the p u b l i c s e r v i c e , a n d b y constant and i m m e m o r i a l usage the c o n v o c a t i o n is m a d e e a c h y e a r , generally in the m o n t h s of O c t o b e r o r November.

The

a p p r o p r i a t i o n bill a n d the a r m y and n a v y bill h a v e

a l w a y s b e e n d i s c u s s e d and v o t e d o n in the last m o n t h s of this extra session.

I n c o n f o r m i t y with this c u s t o m , w h i c h has b e c o m e a law of the land, the rules of b o t h h o u s e s in 1 8 8 7 , a n d w i t h o u t a dissenting v o i c e , fixed the last d a y s of D e c e m b e r as t h e t i m e for p a s s i n g these l a w s .

I n a c c o r d a n c e with the formal p r o m i s e of the P r a t s M i n istry, C o n g r e s s was c o n v o k e d to meet o n t h e first of O c t o b e r .

A few d a y s after, the M i n i s t r y p r o p o s e d to the P r e s i d e n t t h e dismissal of a p o l i t i c a l f u n c t i o n a r y , w h o s e c o n d u c t

did not

i n s p i r e c o n f i d e n c e , and t h w a r t e d the c o m p r o m i s e of the M i n istry with the p e o p l e , in regard to free elections. d e n t refused to r e m o v e h i m .

The Presi-

14 T h e M i n i s t r y r e s i g n e d in a b o d y , a n d t h e P r e s i d e n t

ac-

c e p t i n g their resignation n a m e d a n o t h e r M i n i s t r y ,

chosen

f r o m the n a r r o w circle of his p e r s o n a l f r i e n d s , a n d

ordered

the c l o s u r e of the extra session of C o n g r e s s b e f o r e the d i s cussion of a n y l a w s .

T h i s t o o k p l a c e o n t h e 15th of

last

October.

T h e " C o n s e r v a t i v e C o m m i t t e e , " vested with its c o n s t i t u tional p o w e r s , met, a n d after mature d e l i b e r a t i o n

required

the P r e s i d e n t to again c o n v o k e C o n g r e s s f o r the p a s s a g e

of

the a p p r o p r i a t i o n s , w h i c h annually

of

expire

on the 31st

D e c e m b e r , and for the d i s c u s s i o n of t h e bill f o r m u n i c i p a l r e f o r m and of the a r m y bill.

A l t h o u g h the P r e s i d e n t h a d given his s o l e m n p r o m i s e

to

d o this, he n o w positively refused to c o m p l y with the r e q u e s t of the " Conservative

Committee."

The Committee

reiter-

ated its m a n d a t e , and the P r e s i d e n t p e r s i s t e d in his refusal.

I n the m e a n t i m e , in an orderly p o l i t i c a l c l u b , a y o u n g citizen was killed b y the p o l i c e , w h i c h is u n d e r the

immediate

o r d e r of the P r e s i d e n t , a n d M r . B a l m a c e d a , i n s t e a d of d e m n i n g the c r i m e , issued a d e c r e e o r o r d i n a n c e ,

con-

regulating

the h o l d i n g of p u b l i c meetings, w h i c h virtually a m o u n t e d to their s u p p r e s s i o n .

I n the

fulfilment

of its

constitutional

d u t y to the nation, the C o n s e r v a t i v e C o m m i t t e e d e m a n d e d the p u n i s h m e n t of the crime a n d a b r o g a t i o n of this o r d i n a n c e , as a flagrant violation of the rights of the p e o p l e , g u a r a n t e e d b y the e x p r e s s p r o v i s i o n s

of the Constitution, w h i c h

always

under every republican govern-

been

held

sacred

has

ment.

T h e P r e s i d e n t p o s i t i v e l y refused c o m p l i a n c e with the quest of the C o n s e r v a t i v e

re-

C o m m i t t e e ; and p u b l i c m e e t i n g s

find all e x p r e s s i o n of the p o p u l a r feeling w e r e s u p p r e s s e d .

15 VI. DICTATORSHIP

OF

BALMACEDA.

M e a n w h i l e the first of J a n u a r y , 1 8 9 1 , arrived. p r i a t i o n s for the p u b l i c

e x p e n s e s and the

The appro-

army and

navy

bill h a d e x p i r e d the d a y b e f o r e b y the constitutional l i m i t a tion.

A s Mr. Balmaceda, notwithstanding

the

reiterated

r e q u e s t s of the C o n s e r v a t i v e C o m m i t t e e , his s o l e m n p r o m i s e , a n d the n e v e r - b e f o r e interrupted c u s t o m , h a d not

convoked

C o n g r e s s to an extra session to re-enact these laws for t h e year

1891, he

could not

constitutionally

disburse

public

m o n e y s n o r maintain any military or naval f o r c e for l a c k of these laws.

T h e P r e s i d e n t , M r . B a l m a c e d a , instead of c o n v o k i n g C o n gress, as was his d u t y , issued a p r o c l a m a t i o n in w h i c h h e d e clared his inability to carry on the G o v e r n m e n t in a c c o r d a n c e with the Constitution, and therefore b y virtue of his o w n will he w o u l d hereafter d i s p o s e of the p u b l i c funds a n d s u p p o r t a r m y and n a v y without reference to t h e Constitution

and

laws.

H e r e h i s t o r y repeats itself, and what c o s t Charles the F i r s t his h e a d , after t w o centuries a n d a half is r e - e n a c t e d in R e publican America.

After the p u b l i c declaration of M r . B a l m a c e d a that h e was r e s o l v e d n o l o n g e r to attempt carrying

on the G o v e r n m e n t

u n d e r the Constitution and laws, is it any w o n d e r that the n a t i o n was p r o f o u n d l y alarmed for steadfast patriotism hope.

its liberties ?

I n the

and firmness of C o n g r e s s was its o n l y

M a n y p e a c e - l o v i n g citizens, w h o u p to this time h a d

taken n o part in the c o n t r o v e r s y going on, now ranged

that for m o n t h s h a d b e e n '

themselves o n t h e side of

Congress,

16 w h i c h r e p r e s e n t e d t h e m a j e s t y of the Constitution, and this party in a short time i n c l u d e d

nearly e v e r y

m a n of p r o m i -

n e n c e in official life, in the l e a r n e d p r o f e s s i o n s , in c o m m e r c e , in the a r m y , in the n a v y , a n d the great b u l k of the p e o p l e .

Of c o u r s e , as there will always b e in s u c h times, there were a few, w h o s e names h a d figured in p u b l i c p o s i t i o n s , w h o , c o n sulting their o w n p e r s o n a l interests, " bent the s u p p l e h i n g e s of the k n e e , that thrift m i g h t f o l l o w f a w n i n g , " j o i n e d the p a r t y of the D i c t a t o r , and are n o w c o n s p i r i n g with h i m for the o v e r t h r o w of t h e liberties of their c o u n t r y .

A t this crisis, seeing that the P r e s i d e n t was b e n t on arbitrary

dictatorship,

Congress

resolved

to

p o w e r s c o n f e r r e d u p o n it b y t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n .

exercise

an the

This instru-

ment p r o v i d e s that w h e n e v e r t h e P r e s i d e n t is f o u n d unfit to d i s c h a r g e the duties of his office b y r e a s o n of infirmity, a b s e n c e , or other declared

(/rave cause, the P r e s i d e n t i a l office must b e

vacant.

T h i s it p r o c e e d e d

to

do

and

solemnly

o r d a i n e d that M r . J o s e M a n u e l B a l m a c e d a h a d c e a s e d to b e the P r e s i d e n t of Chile.

F r o m this m o m e n t M r . B a l m a c e d a lost the

attributes of

P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c , a n d returned to the c o n d i t i o n of a private citizen.

T o parallel t h e situation in Chile at this m o m e n t , b y an e x a m p l e f r o m A m e r i c a n p o l i t i c a l h i s t o r y , let us s u p p o s e that t h e Senate of the U n i t e d States, in 1 8 6 8 , h a d f o u n d

Presi-

dent A n d r e w J o h n s o n guilty of h i g h c r i m e s a n d m i s d e m e a n o r s , a n d r e m o v e d him f r o m office ; a n d s u p p o s e that, instead of o b e y i n g its m a n d a t e , h e h a d d i s s o l v e d the C o n g r e s s at the p o i n t of the b a y o n e t , and d e c l a r e d that h e w o u l d c o l l e c t t h e taxes, d i s b u r s e the p u b l i c r e v e n u e , maintain the a r m y a n d n a v y without a n y a p p r o p r i a t i o n h a v i n g b e e n m a d e for that

17 p u r p o s e , a c c o r d i n g to his o w n will a n d pleasure.

In a word,

that a d o p t i n g the m a x i m of L o u i s X I V of " Vetat o'est moi

"—

I am the s t a t e — h a d p r o c e e d e d to rule this great c o u n t r y after this f a s h i o n .

S u c h an attempt at u s u r p a t i o n in t h e U n i t e d

States is t o o i m p r o b a b l e f o r the wildest f a n c y , b u t u n f o r t u nately Chile is n o w actually g o i n g t h r o u g h this e x p e r i e n c e .

Of c o u r s e M r . B a l m a c e d a refused to s u b m i t to the d e c r e e of C o n g r e s s r e m o v i n g h i m

f r o m office, a n d , s u p p o r t e d b y a

p o r t i o n of the a r m y , a n d b y his creatures in the e x e c u t i v e offices, w h o m h e h a d mindfully a p p o i n t e d for this e m e r g e n c y , p r e p a r e d to maintain his D i c t a t o r s h i p .

On its part C o n g r e s s a p p e a l e d to t h e p e o p l e and to the p u b l i c f u n c t i o n a r i e s , to give effect to its r e s o l u t i o n of his r e m o v a l f r o m the P r e s i d e n c y .

H e r e w e h a v e the h i s t o r y of t h e c a u s e s a n d origin o f the civil war in Chile.

T h e fleet, as well as the most d i s t i n g u i s h e d officers of t h e army, immediately placed themselves Congress.

at the d i s p o s i t i o n

of

I n virtue of the r e s o l u t i o n of that b o d y , a " j u n t a "

of p r o v i s i o n a l g o v e r n m e n t Avas f o r m e d , c o n s i s t i n g of t h e c o m m a n d e r of t h e fleet, the V i c e - P r e s i d e n t of the S e n a t e , a n d the P r e s i d e n t of t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s .

This

junta

is firmly established at I q u i q u e , and e x e r c i s e s its a u t h o r i t y o v e r the p r o v i n c e s

of T a c n a , T a r a p a c a , A n t o f a g a s t a ,

and

A t a c a m a , that e x t e n d s f r o m the 17th d e g r e e of s o u t h latit u d e t o the 29th.

I n t h e s e p r o v i n c e s t h e Constitution maintained.

a n d laws are fully

T h e c o u r t s are o p e n for the administration of

t h e laws a n d for d i s p e n s i n g justice, a n d all the f u n c t i o n s of a r e g u l a r l y constituted r e p u b l i c a n

g o v e r n m e n t are strictly

18 performed.

T h i s is in striking contrast t o the

course the

D i c t a t o r has t h o u g h t p r o p e r t o p u r s u e .

I n o r d e r to maintain his usurpation h e has t r o d d e n u n d e r foot the Constitution and laws of his c o u n t r y , a n d h a s

de-

clared that he will rule the nation • w i t h o u t r e g a r d to the Constitution or the l a w s .

H e h a s , w i t h o u t the authority of law, c a u s e d t h e e m i s s i o n of g o v e r n m e n t p a p e r m o n e y t o t h e a m o u n t of twelve m i l l i o n s of dollars.

H e h a s , c o n t r a r y t o law, i s s u e d an inferior metallic c o i n a g e .

H e has filled the c o u n t r y with spies.

H e has violated the s a c r e d right of He

has

v i o l a t e d t h e s a c r e d n e s s of

domicile. private

correspond-

e n c e , g u a r a n t e e d b y the Constitution.

H e has refused to o b e y t h e d e c r e e s of the h i g h tribunal of j u s t i c e — t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t .

H e has i m p r i s o n e d m a n y j u d g e s .

H e has i m p e d e d b y b r u t e f o r c e the c o u r t s of j u s t i c e , a n d f o r b i d d e n t h e m to exercise their h i g h f u n c t i o n s .

H e has silenced all the p u b l i c j o u r n a l s that o p p o s e d o r criticised his acts, s o m e t i m e s confiscating o r o r d e r i n g the destruction of all their printing material.

H e has t h r o w n i n t o p r i s o n h u n d r e d s of l a w - a b i d i n g c i t i zens, a n d k e p t t h e m c o n f o u n d e d with criminals.

H e has i m p r i s o n e d

m a n y of the m e m b e r s of C o n g r e s s ,

w h o s e p e r s o n s u n d e r the Constitution are i n v i o l a b l e .

H e has d i s s o l v e d C o n g r e s s .

H e has o r d e r e d the election of n e w S e n a t o r s and

Rep-

resentatives, a l t h o u g h the terms of m o r e than t w o - t h i r d s of the S e n a t o r s of the Constitutional C o n g r e s s h a d three y e a r s to run.

19 H e has altered and m o d i f i e d the election laws b y his o w n arbitrary will.

H e h a s r e v o k e d , in the same arbitrary m a n n e r , t h e law w h i c h f o r b i d s the p u b l i c e m p l o y e s to b e S e n a t o r s o r R e p r e sentatives, the m a j o r i t y of the new m e m b e r s b e i n g salaried employes.

H e has e m b a r g o e d the p r o p e r t y of m a n y of his o p p o n e n t s .

He

has taken h o r s e s , cattle, a n d o t h e r p r o p e r t y of his

adversaries.

H e has m a d e u s e of the p u b l i c funds a c c o r d i n g

to

his

a b s o l u t e will, a n d in p a l p a b l e violation of the laws.

H e has i n c r e a s e d m o r e than three times the p a y of the officers a n d s o l d i e r s of his a r m y .

H e has e n r o l l e d b y f o r c e an i m m e n s e n u m b e r of

citizens

against their will, a n d against the laws.

He

has cruelly martyrized, b y Hogging a n d o t h e r

igno-

m i n i o u s tortures, h u n d r e d s of r e s p e c t a b l e citizens, rich

and

p o o r , w i t h o u t r e s p e c t t o age or c o n d i t i o n .

H e has c a u s e d to b e shot to death m a n y citizens w i t h o u t a legal trial and sentence, in s o m e i n s t a n c e s s e n d i n g o r d e r s for their e x e c u t i o n

by telegraph.

B y a mere

g r a p h i c o r d e r h e c a u s e d the e x e c u t i o n , in c o l d

tele-

b l o o d , of

eighty, i n t h e p r o v i n c e of A n t o f a g a s t a , the 9th of for refusing t o serve in his army against t h e

his

March,

Constitutional

Government.

I n a w o r d , M r . B a l m a c e d a uses his p o w e r as an o d i o u s a n d cruel

tyrant, a n d n o o n e is safe, in p e r s o n , o r

property.

H e d o e s n o t even p e r m i t his enemies to leave the c o u n t r y .

I n S a n t i a g o m o r e than three p e r s o n s are n o t a l l o w e d to walk t o g e t h e r i n t h e streets.

After 6 o ' c l o c k in t h e e v e n i n g n o

h o r s e o r carriage is p e r m i t t e d t o b e u s e d , and b e f o r e 12

20 o'clock

e v e r y o n e must b e in d o o r s .

A l l this u n d e r h e a v y

fines and penalties.

VII. PROGRESS

The

forces

OP T H E

of

the

I q u i q u e t h e 16th of

CONSTITUTIONAL

Constitutional February.

GOVERNMENT.

government occupied

O n t h e 7th of M a r c h t h e

a r m y of M r . B a l m a c e d a was c o m p l e t e l y r o u t e d i n t h e

battle

of P o z o A l m o n t e , a n d t h e w h o l e of t h e p r o v i n c e of T a r a p a c a s i n c e then has r e m a i n e d in t h e h a n d s of t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n a l g o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h has e s t a b l i s h e d its seat at I q u i q u e .

I n t h e latter part of M a r c h , t h e Constitutional a r m y t o o k p o s s e s s i o n of the p r o v i n c e of A n t o f a g a s t a , t h e a r m y o f t h e Dictator,

2,300

strong,

taking r e f u g e

in t h e

neighboring

R e p u b l i c of B o l i v i a .

A b o u t t h e m i d d l e of A p r i l , t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n a l f o r c e s o c c u p i e d the p r o v i n c e of T a c n a , a n d again the a r m y of M r . B a l m a c e d a in this p r o v i n c e e s c a p e d t o t h e n o r t h , finding r e f u g e in t h e R e p u b l i c of P e r u .

D u r i n g t h e last d a y s of A p r i l a n d in M a y , t h e C o n s t i t u tional a r m y laid h o l d of t h e p r o v i n c e of A t a c a m a , t h e f o r c e s of t h e D i c t a t o r , as usual, s e e k i n g t h e p r o t e c t i o n of a neutral p o w e r , this time in the A r g e n t i n a .

The month

navy took possession of J u n e .

From

g u a n o are e x p o r t e d .

of the L o b o s islands in

these islands large

quantities

the of

T h i s has p r o v e d a great loss t o M r .

B a l m a c e d a , as h e r e a p e d r i c h harvests f r o m this valuable fertilizer.

T h e Constitutional f o r c e s valley

of

H u a s c o in

the

o c c u p i e d V a l l e n a r a n d all t h e

month

of July*.

The

forces

ai

21 B a l m a c e d a h a v i n g b e e n d i s l o d g e d , e s c a p e d to t h e p r o v i n c e of

Coquimbo.

T h e l a c k of arms a n d a m m u n i t i o n , o w i n g to the i m p r o -

vision of the civil war, d i d n o t p e r m i t farther extension

of

military o p e r a t i o n s d u r i n g t h e last f e w m o n t h s .

A t last the Constitutional a r m y is w e l l - a r m e d a n d e q u i p p e d , a n d they will s o o n c o n t i n u e in their a c c u s t o m e d p a t h s of victory.

The

Constitutional G o v e r n m e n t n o w o c c u p i e s f o u r p r o v -

i n c e s — Tacna, Tarapaca, Antofagasta, and Atacama.

The

Constitution a n d laws are o b s e r v e d in them ; p r o p e r t y a n d all t h e rights of citizens are r e s p e c t e d .

I n r e g a r d to t h e

finances

of

the C o n s t i t u t i o n a l

Govern-

m e n t , it m a y b e p r o p e r t o state that t h e p r o v i n c e s u n d e r its authority furnish m o r e than two-thirds of the

taxes

of

the

R e p u b l i c , a n d that it s c r u p u l o u s l y r e s p e c t s p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y .

T h e c o n t r i b u t i o n s w h i c h these rich territories p r o d u c e

are

regularly a n d p e a c e a b l y c o l l e c t e d , a n d suffice for all t h e o u t lays r e q u i r e d b y a well-regulated g o v e r n m e n t .

N o arbitrary

l e v y of taxes h a s b e e n e x a c t e d for a n y p u r p o s e .

VIII. ATTEMPTED

MEDIATION.

O n v a r i o u s o c c a s i o n s the representatives

of

foreign

gov-

e r n m e n t s at S a n t i a g o , c o m m i s s e r a t i n g the sad c o n d i t i o n of a c o u n t r y that they h a d s o recently seen p r o s p e r o u s a n d h a p p y , m a d e proffer of their services, as m e d i a t o r s , b e t w e e n the c o n t e n d i n g parties t o this u n h a p p y

conflict.

These

overtures

w e r e always c o r d i a l l y r e c e i v e d b y the Constitutional G o v e r n ment.

22 I n the latter part of A p r i l t h e

Ministers of the U n i t e d

States, of F r a n c e , a n d Brazil, in t h e n a m e of their r e s p e c t i v e g o v e r n m e n t s , t e n d e r e d their g o o d offices for t h e r e - e s t a b l i s h ment

of

peace.

Mr. Balmaceda

officially a c c e p t e d

these

offers, a n d , at t h e instance of t h e f o r e i g n M i n i s t e r s , g a v e a safe c o n d u c t to t h e representatives a p p o i n t e d b y the C o n s t i tutional G o v e r n m e n t at I q u i q u e , w h o w e r e then in safe c o n c e a l m e n t in S a n t i a g o .

T h e m e m b e r s to t h e p r o p o s e d c o n f e r e n c e , on the part of the Constitutional

G o v e r n m e n t , laid b e f o r e t h e m e d i a t i n g

foreign representatives the basis of an a g r e e m e n t , s i g n e d b y t h e m , w h i c h , in their j u d g m e n t , w o u l d c o n d u c e to the r e s t o ration of p e a c e .

T h i s e v i n c e d s o lofty a p a t r i o t i s m as to

r e c e i v e the w a r m a n d

hearty

approval

of the

honorable

representatives of the m e d i a t i n g g o v e r n m e n t s .

Their g o o d

offices

were, however, unproductive

of

any

f a v o r a b l e result, as M r . B a l m a c e d a , f r a m i n g p r e t e x t s , d e clined to formulate any c o m p r o m i s e , o r to e x p r e s s any o p i n i o n as t o a p r a c t i c a l basis for the settlement of the q u e s t i o n s at issue.

T h e c o n s e q u e n c e was that the representatives of t h e

m e d i a t i n g g o v e r n m e n t s utterly failed i n their beneficent i n tentions, and

the

conference,

which

the

Government

at

I q u i q u e h a d a c c e p t e d , in d e f e r e n c e to t h e U n i t e d States, a n d the o t h e r m e d i a t i n g p o w e r s , w a s d i s s o l v e d .

I t will b e well to r e m e m b e r that t h e G o v e r n m e n t at I q u i q u e , o n t h e 20th of A p r i l , a c c e p t e d the proffered g o o d offices o f the d i p l o m a t i c ministers at S a n t i a g o , of E n g l a n d a n d G e r m a n y , a n d that three d a y s afterwards M r . B a l m a c e d a p l a n n e d a n d o r d e r e d t h e u n e x p e c t e d a n d b a r b a r o u s attack, b y m e a n s of t o r p e d o e s , o n the i r o n - c l a d

Blanco

Encalacla,

o n e of t h e

Avar vessels of the Chilian n a v y , w h i c h , in a f o r e i g n war, h a d

23 a c h i e v e d the m o s t signal victories, a n d was f o n d l y c h e r i s h e d b y t h e nation..

T h e D i c t a t o r c o n c e i v e d it n o t i n c o m p a t a b l e with the p e n d ing peace negotiations to

m a k e this u n l o o k e d - f o r

attack,

w h i c h caused the death of m o r e than 150 Chilian sailors.

H e h a d also e n d e a v o r e d b y an act of t r e a c h e r y to i m p r i s o n the representatives of the Constitutional G o v e r n m e n t , v i o l a t i n g the safe c o n d u c t given them at the r e q u e s t of the d i p l o matic m e d i a t o r s , w h i c h s e c u r e d i m m u n i t y f o r their l i v e s and p e r s o n s , a n d b u t for the n o b l e and e n e r g e t i c attitude of t h e honorable

foreign ministers there is

Mr. Balmaceda

would have

little

disregarded

d o u b t but that

the safe

conduct

w h i c h lie h a d s o l e m n l y granted.

IX. CONCLUSION.

S u c h is the e x c e p t i o n a l c o n d i t i o n of Chile. tutional G o v e r n m e n t

e x e r c i s e s authority f r o m

The Constithe 17th t o

t h e 29th d e g r e e , and in all this territory t h e rights a n d g u a r antees for p e r s o n s and p r o p e r t y , u n d e r the Constitution a n d l a w s , are as s c r u p u l o u s l y r e s p e c t e d as in the b e s t g o v e r n e d c o u n t r i e s of t h e g l o b e .

I n the territory o v e r w h i c h M r . B a l m a c e d a e x e r c i s e s

au-

t h o r i t y , there is neither Constitution o r laws to restrain his tyrannical acts.

T h e o n l y law he i n v o k e s is his o w n u n r e -

strained will, w h i c h d o e s n o t respect even t h o s e f u n d a m e n t a l p r i n c i p l e s r e c o g n i z e d as the f o u n d a t i o n of all law.

Chile has s e e n for the first time r e s p e c t a b l e n o o t h e r offence

citizens, f o r

than o p p o s i n g the p o l i c y of t h e D i c t a t o r ,

tied t o the w h i p p i n g - p o s t , i n h u m a n l y flogged a n d o t h e r w i s e

24 cruelly t o r t u r e d .

T h e n a t i o n will n o t s o o n f o r g e t s u c h o u t -

rages, and p o s t e r i t y will e x e c r a t e his m e m o r y .

A c c o m p a n y i n g this we p r e s e n t v a r i o u s d o c u m e n t s r e f e r r ing to the r e s o l u t i o n s of the Chilian C o n g r e s s , w h i c h i n c o n testably establish the fact that the Constitutional G o v e r n m e n t at I q u i q n e r e p r e s e n t s t h e o n l y legitimate

sovereign

authority in o u r land.

W e a p p e n d , also, the d e c r e e s of M r . B a l m a c e d a , settingaside the Constitution, d i s s o l v i n g C o n g r e s s , a n d s u s p e n d i n g the sessions of the c o u r t s of j u s t i c e .

F i n a l l y , we d e e m it a p p r o p r i a t e to a d d a c o p y of the d e cree p r o m u l g a t e d

b y the government

of

B o l i v i a , r e c o g n i z i n g the b e l l i g e r e n c y of Government.

The geographical

the R e p u b l i c

our

of

Constitutional

p o s i t i o n of that r e p u b l i c ,

s o near the s c e n e s of o u r civil c o n t e s t , e n a b l e s h e r t o a p p r e ciate, b e t t e r than m o r e distant g o v e r n m e n t s , the true c o n d i tion of affairs in Chile ; h e n c e h e r d e c r e e o f t h e 2 3 d of M a y last.

A s will b e seen, s h e e x p l a i n s with entire impartiality

the r e a s o n s for h e r a c t i o n .

T h e g o v e r n m e n t of the A r g e n t i n a , w h i c h b o u n d s Chile o n the east, h a s d e c l a r e d , t h r o u g h t h e m e s s a g e of the P r e s i d e n t of that R e p u b l i c t o the N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s , that it will o b s e r v e the strictest neutrality.

T h e R e p u b l i c of P e r u o b s e r v e s strict

neutrality a c c o r d i n g to international law.

I n c o n c l u s i o n , w e wish t o c o n v i n c e t h e p e o p l e of the U n i t e d States that t h e p e o p l e of

Chile h a v e n o t risen in r e b e l l i o n

against a lawful g o v e r n m e n t , a n d that in o p p o s i n g M r . B a l m a c e d a , t h e y are in n o sense r e b e l s or i n s u r g e n t s , b u t that they h a v e taken

arms in d e f e n s e of their C o n s t i t u t i o n a n d

laws, t o s e c u r e their m e n a c e d liberties, that t h e y m a y l e a v e t h e m as a p e r p e t u a l heritage t o their children.

W e seek

in f o r e i g n c o u n t r i e s , e s p e c i a l l y in the

United

25 States, t o a r o u s e the s y m p a t h y of. a free p e o p l e in f a v o r of a n a t i o n struggling to retain their free r e p u b l i c a n institutions, w h i c h were s e c u r e d

at the c o s t of s o m u c h

b y their ancestors.

W e w i s h to m a k e k n o w n t o its fortunate

precious

blood

citizens t h e causes that h a v e led to the p r e s e n t u n h a p p y c o n dition of o u r c o u n t r y , feeling assured that w h e n the facts are known

the s y m p a t h y

and

good

wishes

of

no

American

citizen will b e d e n i e d to a b r a v e p e o p l e , struggling for the preservation of their liberties, and the m a i n t e n a n c e of their r e p u b l i c a n form of g o v e r n m e n t .

T h e p e o p l e of Chile have always c o m p r e h e n d e d , to the fullest extent, the s a c r e d n e s s of the h i g h duties to b e fulfilled.

I n the m o s t s o l e m n e p o c h s of her h i s t o r y , when her e x i s t e n c e as an i n d e p e n d e n t nation, and her h o n o r were at stake, she d i s p l a y e d sufficient valor and e n e r g y to maintain

the

b r i g h t n e s s of t h e star that a d o r n s her b a n n e r .

T h e p r e s e n t struggle in f a v o r of h e r institutions a n d l i b erty affects the m o s t vital interests of the R e p u b l i c , and

we

are certain that for their preservation she will n o t o m i t , as she never has o m i t t e d , the sacrifice of h e r best b l o o d and h e r treasures.

Divine

Providence

j u s t i c e a n d liberty.

does

not

desert

the

defenders

of

T h o s e w h o h a v e b e e n o n c e free, will

n e v e r tread the r o a d that leads to slavery.

The

Chilians,

w h o h a v e l e a r n e d t o a p p r e c i a t e liberty b e c a u s e t h e y o w e it t o their o w n efforts, are sure of v i c t o r y in their strife against t h e shameful o p p r e s s i o n that so cruelly afflicts their l o v e d country.

PEDRO Confidential

Agent

of

W A S H I N G T O N , D . C , August

MONTT,

the Constitutional 8th, 1 8 9 1 .

Government.

ANNEXED

DOCUMENTS.

I.

A c t of both Houses of the National Congress declaring the inability of Mr. Balmaceda.

W e , representatives of t h e p e o p l e of Chile in N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s a s s e m b l e d , taking i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n — 1. T h a t the m a n y c r i m e s c o m m i t t e d b y the e x e c u t i v e a u thorities against t h e electoral p o w e r of t h e R e p u b l i c , t o falsify the e x p r e s s i o n of t h e s o v e r e i g n will of t h e p e o p l e at t h e e l e c tions, h a v e b e e n assisted a n d p r o t e c t e d b y t h e P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c a n d h i s M i n i s t e r s , refusing t o hear t h e r e p r e sentations of the C o n s e r v a t i v e C o m m i t t e e , a n d thus a s s u m i n g to himself the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of the guilty functionaries a c c o r d i n g t o the mandate of n u m b e r 2 of t h e 49th article of the Constitution of the State.

2. T h a t t h e p o l i c e f o r c e , c o n f i d e d t o t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e R e p u b l i c f o r t h e preservation of p u b l i c o r d e r and the d e f e n s e of t h e rights of t h e citizens, h a s b e e n e m p l o y e d in o r g a n i z i n g and directing m o b s of t h e c o m m o n r a b b l e , p a i d f o r p r o m o t ing t h e m o s t shameful a n d criminal transgressions against t h e p u b l i c safety, a n d to t r a m p l e u n d e r f o o t t h e f u n d a m e n t a l rights of citizens, s o that t h e use of said f o r c e was a constant m e n a c e f o r t h e m , d e s t r o y i n g t h e p r i m o r d i a l e n d of the e s t a b lishment of p u b l i c authorities ; that t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e R e p u b l i c a n d h i s Ministers h a v e b e e n deaf t o t h e c l a m o r of p u b l i c i n d i g n a t i o n a n d t h e constant r e m o n s t r a n c e s of C o n gress a n d of the C o n s e r v a t i v e C o m m i t t e e f o r t h o s e acts, which the authorities h a v e left u n p u n i s h e d , in this m a n n e r assuming the responsibility.

3. T h a t t h e sole reparation offered f o r t h e last a n d s o r r o w ful attacks o n the right of p u b l i c a s s e m b l y , has been t h e p r o mulgation of t h e o r d i n a n c e of t h e 20th D e c . tilt., which is a new a n d daring violation of t h e right t o h o l d m e e t i n g s a n d of p e t i t i o n , w h i c h are g u a r a n t e e d b y p a r a g r a p h 6 of t h e 10th article, a n d b y t h e 6th of 27th article of t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n , thus i n c u r r i n g t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e R e p u b l i c a n d h i s a c c o m -

27 p l i c e s iu a flagrant usurpation of an e x c l u s i v e right of C o n gress, w h i c h is the o n l y p o w e r that can dictate these e x c e p t i o n a l laws of transitory d u r a t i o n , n o t to e x c e e d the term of o n e year.

4. T h a t the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c h a s c o n s t a n t l y v i o lated p u b l i c faith, as were officially and s o l e m n l y p r o m i s e d b y his Ministers in C o n g r e s s .

5. T h a t the P r e s i d e n t has s q u a n d e r e d the p u b l i c f u n d s , d i s b u r s i n g them without the sanction of law ; h e has created p u b lic offices and p a i d unwarranted c o m m i s s i o n s , using the p u b l i c m o n e y without the sanction or c o n s e n t of C o n g r e s s , thus u s u r p i n g an exclusive p o w e r vested in the legislature e s t a b lished in p a r a g r a p h 10 of article 28 of the Constitution.

6. T h a t the same f u n c t i o n a r y has i g n o r e d and violated the c o n t r o l l i n g attributions of C o n g r e s s and of the C o n s e r v a t i v e C o m m i t t e e , s c o r n i n g them iu the most a b s o l u t e miuiner, with o p e n infraction of the 49th and other articles of the C o n s t i tution, a c c o r d i n g to w h i c h C o n g r e s s is controller and j u d g e of the h i g h e x e c u t i v e officials.

7. T h a t d u e t o the n o n - r e c o g n i t i o n of these rights, the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c recently attempted to c h a n g e the t i m e - h o n o r e d f o r m of o u r G o v e r n m e n t b y retaining a c a b i n e t in w h o m C o n g r e s s h a d s h o w n their want of c o n f i d e n c e , and to w h o m the s a m e C o n g r e s s h a d d e n i e d the c o n t r i b u t i o n s , a n d h e r e a c h e d the p o i n t of g o v e r n i n g w i t h o u t t h e m , c a u s i n g to the treasury i m m e n s e losses and t o the nation p e r t u r b a t i o n s still m o r e m o m e n t o u s .

8. T h a t b y closing C o n g r e s s , b e c a u s e it o p p o s e d with patriotic firmness the invasion of the dearest rights of the p e o p l e , h e was false to his p l e d g e d w o r d of s a n c t i o n i n g p e n d i n g laws necessary for the guarantee of t h o s e rights.

9. T h a t w i t h o u t m e n t i o n i n g other violations of law a n d p e r s o n a l guarantees, the P r e s i d e n t has r e c e n t l y carried his s y s t e m of mal-administration, legal a n d social ruin, to the extent of d i s p o s i n g p u b l i c funds and to maintain at will, l a n d and naval f o r c e s , w i t h o u t authorization from C o n g r e s s , thus o p e n l y u s u r p i n g p o w e r w h i c h b e l o n g s exclusively to the legislative b r a n c h of the nation, to w h i c h o n l y has this p o w e r b e e n c o n f e r r e d b y and a c c o r d i n g to the 2d a n d 3d p a r a g r a p h s of 28th article of the Constitution, w h i c h establish that only in virtue of'a laio it will be possible to fix annually the uiaount of public expenditures, and to fix equally eachyear the number and organization of the military. and -naval forces to be maintained in time of both peace and war.

28 10. T h a t the acts referred to h a v e c a u s e d m u c h alarm in s o c i e t y , c o m p l e t e d e m o r a l i z a t i o n in the administration, and such a serious p e r t u r b a t i o n in e c o n o m i c a l affairs that the h o n o r of the nation has been g r a v e l y c o m p r o m i s e d .

11. T h a t these acts and t h e declarations c o n t a i n e d in the Dlario Official, afford evident p r o o f of the p l o t w h i c h h a d b e e n f r a m e d a n d carried out b y the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c against the Constitution ; that all these acts clearly reveal an intention to u n d e r m i n e o u r political edifice, c o n structed b y the valor and sacrifices of several g e n e r a t i o n s , in o r d e r to raise on the ruins of the p e o p l e ' s s o v e r e i g n t y an a b s o l u t e p o w e r , and to overturn and anarchise a well c o n s t i tuted s o c i e t y , a p e o p l e tranquil and o b e d i e n t , that o n l y asks for p e a c e a n d legal o r d e r ; that all this constitutes n o o r d i n a r y c r i m e , b u t the greatest of c r i m e s that can b e c o m m i t t e d b y a ruler.

1 2 . T h a t as the p e r p e t r a t i o n of t h e s e d e e d s lias p l a c e d the P r e s i d e n t in o p e n r e v o l u t i o n against constitutional o r d e r , h e lias b e c o m e a traitor to his c o u n t r y , and thus is p l a c e d b e y o n d the pale of the law w h i c h h e h a d s w o r n to o b e y a n d maintain.

1 3 . T h a t if the magistrates o p e n l y violate the majesty of the laws that constitute the n e c e s s a r y b a s e of social o r d e r , their o r d e r s are null a n d of n o value, as it is e x p r e s s l y e s t a b lished in A r t i c l e 151 of the C o n s t i t u t i o n , a n d in s u c h a case n o t o n l y the right but the d u t y exists, to resist, in d e f e n s e of the p u b l i c o r d e r , a duty w h i c h i n c u m b s on all citizens, a n d v e r y e s p e c i a l l y on c o n s t i t u t e d p o w e r s .

14. T h a t t h e 4th p a r a g r a p h of the 27th A r t i c l e , and the 65th A r t i c l e of the Constitution, establish that it is the attrib u t i o n of C o n g r e s s to d e c l a r e , w h e n , t h r o u g h infirmity, a b s e n c e , o r o t h e r potent m o t i v e , a n d w h e n t h r o u g h d e a t h , r e n u n c i a t i o n , or other class of a b s o l u t e i m p o s s i b i l i t y , the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c c o u l d n o t exercise his c h a r g e .

1 5 . T h a t the crimes m e n t i o n e d , and for w h i c h t h e actual P r e s i d e n t of t h e R e p u b l i c has m a d e himself c u l p a b l e , c a n n o t constitute a m o r e p o w e r f u l m o t i v e , n o r an i m p e d i m e n t m o r e a b s o l u t e for m a k i n g h i m unfit a n d u n w o r t h y to c o n t i n u e in the exercise of his office. * I N VIRTUE or

OF T H E PRECEDING CONSIDERATIONS, W E , MEMBERS

THE SENATE

AND

OF T H E

HOUSE

OF R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

OF

C H I L E , INVOKING T H E S U P R E M E J U D G E OF T H E U N I V E R S E IN T E S TIMONY OF T H E R E C T I T U D E OF OUR INTENTIONS, FOR T H E OBJECT

2d OF R E - E S T A B L I S H I N G T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N A L régime, T E R N A L TRANQUILITY, ATTENDING

SECURING I N -

T O T H E COMMON DEFENSE, AND

ESTABLISHING FIRMLY T H E BLESSINGS OF L I B E R T Y AND T H E L A W S , IN T H E NAME AND BY T H E AUTHORITY OF T H E P E O P L E W E R E P R E SENT, SOLEMNLY D E C L A R E :

1. T h a t t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e R e p u b l i c , D o n J o s e M a n u e l B a l m a c e d a , is a b s o l u t e l y i n c a p a c i t a t e d f o r c o n t i n u i n g in t h e exercise of h i s office, a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y h e is d e p r i v e d of it f r o m this d a y .

2. T h a t t h e Secretaries a n d the C o u n c i l l o r s of State, w h o h a v e b e e n a c c o m p l i c e s in his attacks against t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n , are also i n c a p a c i t a t e d to r e p l a c e h i m in his office.

A n d . t h e r e f o r e , we a p p o i n t D o n J o r j e M o n t t to assist t h e action of C o n g r e s s in re-establishing the s w a y of the C o n stitution.

S A N T I A G O , January

1, 1 8 9 1 .

II.

The Presidents of both Houses to the Captain Jorje Montt.

V A L P A R A I S O , January

(5, 1 8 9 1 .

E l P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c in a manifest, w h i c h h e h a s d i r e c t e d t o the nation, has declared that n o t b e i n g able t o g o v e r n in a c c o r d with t h e N a t i o n a l Congress, as t h e C o n s t i tution r e q u i r e s — a n d has b e e n o b s e r v e d b y all h i s p r e d e c e s s o r s — h e h a s resolved to maintain t h e naval a n d military f o r c e s w i t h o u t authority of the l a w , a n d t o m a k e p u b l i c e x p e n d i t u r e s without legislative a p p r o p r i a t i o n s .

C o n s e q u e n t l y , for t h e first time in Chile, t h e P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c h a s d e c l a r e d himself i n d e p e n d e n t of t h e C o n stitution.

H e has r e n o u n c e d t h e legitimate authority with w h i c h h e w a s invested, and has a t t e m p t e d t o assume a p e r s o n a l arbitrary p o w e r w h i c h has n o authority b u t h i s o w n will, n o r o t h e r limits than h i s p o w e r t o e n f o r c e it.

I n s o grave an e m e r g e n c y it is t h e d u t y of t h e N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s t o take u n d e r its care t h e defense of t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n , a n d t o a d o p t all the measures that t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s m a y m a k e n e c e s s a r y for re-establishing h e r s u p r e m e rights.

I n t h e d i s c h a r g e of this patriotic d u t y , t h e N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s c o u n t s o n the assistance of the naval a n d military

30 f o r c e s , b e c a u s e these o w e their existeuce to the laws of C o n gress, a n d it is n o t p o s s i b l e that t h e y w o u l d wish t o l o s e their legal existence in o r d e r to serve a dictatorial regime established for o n l y private r e a s o n s of the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c .

F i f t y - s e v e n years of u n i n t e r r u p t e d Constitutional o r g a n i zation and a l o n g list of sacrifices m a d e , and of g l o r i e s a t tained in t h e c o u n t r y ' s s e r v i c e , mark out, to the a r m y a n d n a v y of the R e p u b l i c , their p o s t of duty, w h i c h is to resist, as c o n t r a r y to their h o n o r , every attempt that m a y b e m a d e against the c o d e , that serves as a basis for o u r national institutions, and g i v e s a starting p o i n t to p u b l i c p o w e r .

T h e National C o n g r e s s , in the fulfilment of the d u t y w h i c h t h e actual situation i m p o s e s , has a p p r o v e d the r e s o l u t i o n s that are f o u n d in the a b o v e act.

T h e N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s has also duly c o n f e r r e d o n the u n d e r signed full authority to c o m m u n i c a t e with naval authorities a n d d e m a n d of them their c o - o p e r a t i o n in the s p h e r e of a c tion c o n d u c i v e t o the m o s t p r o m p t re-establishment of the Constitutional G o v e r n m e n t .

I n virtue of this p o w e r , the u n d e r s i g n e d o r d e r that a naval division b e o r g a n i z e d to a d m o n i s h the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c tliat the n a v y r e m a i n s faithful to the Constitution, and that in o b e d i e n c e to its dictates it is a b s o l u t e l y i n d i s p e n s a b l e , that the annual law b e p a s s e d that authorizes and legalizes its existence.

I n virtue of their p o w e r s t h e u n d e r s i g n e d n a m e a n d a p p o i n t the Captain, D o n J o r j e M o n t t , Chief of t h e N a v a l D i v i s i o n , r e m a i n i n g t h e m s e l v e s on b o a r d t h e flag-ship t o attend to the d e v e l o p m e n t of the m o v e m e n t s in d e f e n c e of the Constitution of the R e p u b l i c . . (Signed) W A L D O SILVA, Vice-President of the Senate.

R A M O N B A R R O S LITCO, President of the House of Representatives.

To the Capt. of the Navy, Don Jorje Montt, and to the Chiefs

and' Officials

of the

Fleet.

III.

Acceptation of Capt. Montt as Commander of the Fleet.

V A L P A R A I S O , 6th of January,

1891.

I n virtue of the c o n s i d e r a t i o n s p r e s e n t e d in the p r e c e d -

31 i n g n o t e a n d r e s o l u t i o n s , I a c c e p t t h e a p p o i n t m e n t w h i c h has b e e n m a d e in m y p e r s o n t o organize a naval division w h i c h will remain u n d e r m y c o m m a n d to fulfil all o r d e r s e m a n a t i n g f r o m the a b o v e - n a m e d delegates of the N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s .

I o r d e r the p r e s e n t r e s o l u t i o n and t h e n o t e of the d e l e g a t e s to b e i n c o r p o r a t e d in the " o r d e r of the d a y , " that it b e k n o w n to the c h i e f s , the officials, and the tripulation of t h e fleet.

L e t this b e a r c h i v e d .

(Signed) JOBJE MONTT. IV.

Organization of the Constitutional Government.

I Q U I Q U E , April

12,

1891.

I n virtue of these a n t e c e d e n t s , and c o n s i d e r i n g : 1. T h a t the land and naval f o r c e s , in o b e d i e n c e to C o n gress, h a v e already o c c u p i e d three p r o v i n c e s of o u r t e r r i t o r y ; 2. T h a t the necessity of establishing o v e r them the e m p i r e of the laws, w h i c h c a n n o t b e effective without a p r o p e r o r g a n i z a t i o n , is u r g e n t ; 3. T h a t these p r o v i n c e s p r o d u c e the greatest part of the national r e v e n u e s , and that it is i n d i s p e n s a b l e to organize c o r r e c t l y their c o l l e c t i o n and d i s b u r s e m e n t ; 4. T h a t the task w h i c h the c o u n t r y has resolutely u n d e r taken will n o t h a v e e n d e d until the Constitutional regime a n d t h e violated p o p u l a r rights have been s e c u r e d ; 5. T h a t the f o r e g o i n g e n d s can o n l y b e o b t a i n e d b y a d j u s t i n g the administrative acts to o u r Constitutional f o r m of g o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h establishes an e x e c u t i v e p o w e r with r e s p o n s i b l e secretaries.

I t is d e c r e e d : 1. T h e P r o v i s i o n a l G o v e r n m e n t J u n t a f o r m e d b y the u n d e r s i g n e d is d e c l a r e d d u l y organized.

2. A l l acts a n d d e c r e e s of this J u n t a must b e s i g n e d b y its P r e s i d e n t a n d the secretary of the respective d e p a r t ment.

3. L e t f o u r d e p a r t m e n t s of the J u n t a b e o r g a n i z e d , to w i t : (a) T h a t of the I n t e r i o r and P u b l i c W o r k s . (b) T h a t of F o r e i g n R e l a t i o n s , J u s t i c e , W o r s h i p , a n d P u b lic Instruction. (c) T h a t of the T r e a s u r y . (d) T h a t of W a r a n d the N a v y .

32 E a c h of these D e p a r t m e n t s will b e filled b y a r e s p o n s i b l e secretary, a n d b y officials w h o will b e n a m e d at t h e p r o p e r time.

(Signed) .

JOEJE MONTT. W A L D O SILVA. RAMON BARROS LUCO. Secretary, E . V A L U E S V E R G A R A .

I Q U I Q U E , April

13, 1891.

W e have resolved and decree : M r . I s i d o r e Errazuriz is n a m e d Secretary of t h e J u n t a , of G o v e r n m e n t in t h e D e p a r t m e n t of F o r e i g n R e l a t i o n s , Justice, W o r s h i p , and Public Instruction.

R e c o r d and communicate.

MONTT, SILVA, BARROS LUCO. I Q U I Q U E , April

13, 1891.

We h a v e r e s o l v e d a n d d e c r e e : M r . J o a q u i n W a l k e r M a r t i n e z is n a m e d S e c r e t a r y of t h e J u n t a of G o v e r n m e n t in t h e D e p a r t m e n t of t h e T r e a s u r y .

R e c o r d and communicate.

MONTT, SILVA, BARROS LUCO. I Q U I Q U E , April

13, 1891.

W e h a v e resolved a n d d e c r e e : M r . C o l o n e l A d o l f o H o l l e y is n a m e d S e c r e t a r y of t h e J u n t a of G o v e r n m e n t in t h e D e p a r t m e n t of W a r a n d N a v y .

R e c o r d and communicate.

MONTT, SILVA, BARROS LUCO. I Q U I Q U E , May

S,

1891.

AVe have resolved and decree : M r . M a n u e l J o s e I r a r r a z a v a l is n a m e d S e c r e t a r y of t h e J u n t a of G o v e r n m e n t in t h e D e p a r t m e n t of t h e I n t e r i o r a n d Public Works.

R e c o r d and communicate.

MONTT, SILVA, BARROS LUCO.

33 V.

Recognition

of

the Constitutional Government Belligerent by Bolivia.

ANICETO

Constitutional

President

as

ARCE,

of the flepuhlie

of

Bolivia.

C o n s i d e r i n g that in the civil war that exists in the n e i g h b o r ing R e p u b l i c of Chile, t w o g o v e r n m e n t s are constituted a n d o r g a n i z e d , r e p r e s e n t i n g the high p u b l i c powei's, with d o m i n i o n and a r m e d f o r c e s on laud and sea, collecting a n d d i s b u r s i n g the p u b l i c r e v e n u e s ; that the relations of the G o v e r n m e n t of B o l i v i a with the " J u n t a " of the G o v e r n m e n t established in I q u i q u e , are n e c e s s a r y , i n a s m u c h as this o c c u p i e s , g o v e r n s , a n d administers the territories of A n t o f a g a s t a and A r i c a , a n d B o l i v i a h o l d s free p a s s a g e for i m p o r t a t i o n a n d e x p o r t a t i o n in the first p o r t , and a participation in the r e v e n u e s of the s e c o n d , a c c o r d i n g to the treaty of truce ; T h a t the civil war in Chile b e i n g an i n c o n t e s t a b l e fact, the d o c t r i n e a n d p r a c t i c e s of civilized nations h a v e c o n s e c r a t e d the p r i n c i p l e of the legitimate right that g o v e r n m e n t s h a v e for r e c o g n i z i n g the b e l l i g e r e n c y of political parties w h o v e n tilate their d i s p u t e s with arms, b e i n g o b l i g a t o r y b e s i d e s for the B o l i v i a n g o v e r n m e n t , t o maintain the fiscal a n d c o m m e r c i a l interests of the nation w i t h o u t this b e i n g a m o t i v e for alteri n g the l o y a l o b s e r v a n c e of neutrality ; H a v i n g consulted the C o u n c i l of Ministers, I d e c r e e : T h e G o v e r n m e n t of B o l i v i a r e c o g n i z e s as a belligerent the " excelentissima J u n t a of g o v e r n m e n t " w h i c h acts in the n a m e , a n d in representation of l e g i s l a t i v e P o w e r of Chile, in t h e civil war sustained with the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c w h o acts in the n a m e , and in representation of the E x e c u t i v e Power.

T h e S e n o r Minister of F o r e i g n R e l a t i o n s is o r d e r e d to answer for the e x e c u t i o n and fulfilment of this d e c r e e .

G i v e n in the city of L a P a z , the 27th of the m o n t h of May, 1891.

ANICETO ARCE. TELMO

IGHAZO.

JENARO

SANJINEK.

SEVERO

FERNANDEZ

SERAPIO

REYES

ALONSO,

ORTIZ.

34

VI.

Decree of Mr. Salmaceda Declaring Himself Dictator and Setting Aside the L a w s .

S A N T I A G O , January

7, 1 8 9 1 .

I decree : F r o m this date I assume all p u b l i c p o w e r n e c e s s a r y f o r administering a n d g o v e r n i n g t h e State a n d maintaining o r d e r in the interior.

T h e r e f o r e , f r o m this m o m e n t , every law that w o u l d f o r b i d the exercise of t h e p o w e r s r e q u i r e d f o r preserving o r d e r a n d tranquility in t h e interior, a n d security in the exterior of t h e State, is s u s p e n d e d .

R e c o r d a n d p u b l i s h in t h e official j o u r n a l .

B A L M A C E D A .

DOMINGO ISMAEL J.

M.

JOSÉ G.

GODOY.

PEREZ. VALDES

F.

GANA.

MACKENNA.

CARRERA.

35

VII.

Decree of Mr. Balmaceda Dissolving Congress, Order­ ing a Revision of t he Const it ut ion, and t he Elec­ tion of a N e w Congress, Modifying t he Elect oral Law, and Suspending t he L a w of Incompat ibilit y.

S A N T I A G O , February

11, 1891.

Considering: T h a t t h e m a j o r i t y of C o n g r e s s h a s violated t h e c o n s t i t u ­ tion a n d h a s r e v o l t e d against the Constitutional G o v e r n m e n t of t h e R e p u b l i c , p r o d u c i n g the disastrous c o n s e q u e n c e s of a r e v o l u t i o n , a n d t h e s u b v e r s i o n of p u b l i c o r d e r , attempting against its o w n existence, a n d dissolving itself de facto ; T h a t it is the duty of the chief of the State to p r o m o t e effi­ c a c i o u s l y t h e re­establishment of the Constitutional regime, n o t o n l y b y r e m e d y i n g the misfortunes, results of t h e r e v o ­ lution, but also b y s u p p r e s s i n g t h e original causes o f t h e conflict for t h e p u r p o s e of securing for t h e future stability o f the institutions, p e a c e in the interior a n d r e s p e c t f o r t h e n a t i o u in f o r e i g n c o u n t r i e s ; and finally, T h a t it is i m p o s s i b l e to a c c o m p l i s h these ends, confining o n e ' s self t o the p o w e r s that t h e constitution a n d the laws h a v e established f o r t h e exercise of G o v e r n m e n t in n o r m a l a n d o r d i n a r y c o n d i t i o n s , a n d that it is f o r this reason i n d i s ­ p e n s a b l e t o m a k e an a p p e a l to the p e o p l e , sole j u d g e a n d s o v e r e i g n , f o r t h e election of a Constitutional C o n g r e s s that c o u l d adjust t h e exercise of said p o w e r s , r e f o r m , as w o u l d b e j u d g e d t h e m o s t c o n v e n i e n t f o r the attainment of this o b j e c t , and g i v e a definite solution to the c o n t e n t i o n s w h i c h m i g h t exist b e t w e e n t h e p o w e r s of the S t a t e ; I decree: А в т . 1 . Elections for Senators, Representatives, and M u ­ n i c i p a l officers will b e h e l d in all the P r o v i n c e s a n d D e p a r t ­ ments of the R e p u b l i c .

A R T . 2 . T h e Senate a n d t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s will constitute a C o n g r e s s f o r revising t h e Constitution of t h e State, as far as m a y b e n e c e s s a r y f o r g u a r a n t e e i n g p u b l i c o r d e r , security o f t h e interior, and for establishing the attri­ b u t e s of the. State p o w e r s , in order t o avoid conflicts.

A R T . 3 . T h e elections will b e h e l d in o b e d i e n c e t o t h e

36 electoral law of the 20th of A u g u s t , 1 8 9 0 , on t h e b a s i s of the existing registers, and with the f o l l o w i n g m o d i f i c a t i o n s : (a) T h e v o t i n g will take p l a c e the last S u n d a y of the m o n t h of M a r c h next, and the session of C o n g r e s s will c o m ­ m e n c e the 20th of A p r i l f o l l o w i n g .

(0) T h e system of v o t i n g will b e that o r d e r e d in t h e 65th article of the la.w of the 9th of J a n u a r y , 1 8 8 4 . (a) D e s k s for i n s c r i b i n g v o t e s are s u p p r e s s e d . (d) T h e election b o a r d s will b e installed, and a u t h o r i z e d to e x e c u t e all acts that b y law c o r r e s p o n d to t h e m , with the concurring members. (e) T h e P u b l i c C o m p t r o l l e r will r e p l a c e the P r e s i d e n t of the Senate in the attributes c o n f e r r e d on him b y the law. (f) In default of the first <dcalde h e will b e s u p p l i e d b y the s e c o n d ; the a b s e n c e of this last, b y the third, and in the same manner with others. А к т . 4. T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e R e p u b l i c will b e e l e c t e d in the m a n n e r and in the c o n d i t i o n s established b y the C o n s t i ­ tution of the State. А к т . 5. T h e effects of the l a w of the 12th of D e c e m b e r , 1 8 8 8 , c o n c e r n i n g i n c o m p a t i b i l i t y , will b e h e l d in s u s p e n s e until further o r d e r s , as also t h e 2 d and 3rd articles of t h e law of the 28th of A u g u s t , 1 8 9 0 , relative to u n i o n s of t h e P r o v i n c e s and D e p a r t m e n t s for t h e election of R e p r e s e n t a ­ tives a n d S e n a t o r s .

A R T . 6. T h e e x e c u t i o n of this p r e s e n t d e c r e e and t h e r e s o ­ lution of difficulties that m a y o c c u r , will b e u n d e r the d i r e c ­ tion of the S e c r e t a r y of the I n t e r i o r .

R e c o r d and publish.

BALMACEDA. CLAUDIO

VICUNA.

DOMINGO ISMAEL J.

M.

VALDES

JOSÉ Г .

G.

GO DO Y .

PEREZ. GANA.

MACKENNA.

CARRERA.

37 VIII.

Decree of the Constitutional Government declaring null and void of effect the elections convoked b y the Dictator.

I Q U I Q U E , March

9,

1891.

Considering: 1. T h a t b y the d e c r e e of the 11th of F e b r u a r y of this y e a r , the D i c t a t o r B a h n a c e d a d i s s o l v e d the N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s , a n d o r d e r e d a new election a c c o r d i n g to rules dictated b y himself, and that are contrary to the rules p r e s c r i b e d in the electoral law.

2. T h a t the said d e c r e e o r d e r s the total renewal of the S e n a t e , violating t h e Constitution that p r o v i d e s for its r e n o vation b y half parts e v e r j ' three years.

3. T h a t the e l e c t i o n s o r d e r e d b y the D i c t a t o r , to take p l a c e on t h e 29th of the p r e s e n t m o n t h , will b e verified in a n o m a l o u s c o n d i t i o n s , b e c a u s e the R e p u b l i c is u n d e r the pressure of martial law and the electoral functions in s u s p e n s i o n .

4. T h a t the D e p a r t m e n t s of P i s a g u a , T a r a p a c a , T o c o p i l l a , A n t o f a g a s t a , Taltal, a n d Chanaral, w h i c h d o not r e c o g n i z e the authority of the D i c t a t o r , will n o t h a v e a c h o i c e in e l e c t i n g representatives to C o n g r e s s .

5. T h a t a m a j o r i t y of the S e n a t o r s a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , w h o s e terms h a v e n o t e x p i r e d , are n o w in prison or in c o n cealment on a c c o u n t of tin; p e r s e c u t i o n s of the D i c t a t o r , and for these r e a s o n s are d e p r i v e d of the exercise of their e l e c toral rights, and the duties that the election laws require! of the P r e s i d e n t s of b o t h H o u s e s . (i. T h a t a vast n u m b e r of citizens with a right to vote are in the same c o n d i t i o n as the M e m b e r s of C o n g r e s s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; i n p r i son, or hiding from political persecution.

7. T h a t a m a j o r i t y of the j u d g e s of elections c h o s e n to rec e i v e and c o u n t t h e v o t e s are h i d d e n , o r in p r i s o n s , or absent f r o m their r e s p e c t i v e d e p a r t m e n t s , as is categorically r e c o g n i z e d b y the D i c t a t o r in the said d e c r e e of the 11th of F e b r u a r y last, f o r w h i c h reason h e authorizes the election b o a r d s t o act with o n e m e m b e r o n l y , if the other six are n o t present.

8. T h a t it is the d u t y of the delegates of the N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s to p r e s e r v e a n d d e f e n d their rights, and t h o s e of citizen v o t e r s , w h o s e electoral privileges are e n d a n g e r e d .

L e t it b e d e c l a r e d :

38 T h a t the e l e c t i o n s that are to b e h e l d o n the -29th of the current m o n t h , in c o n f o r m i t y with the D i c t a t o r ' s d e c r e e , are c o n t r a r y to the Constitution of t h e State and to t h e election l a w s , and that in n o case can t h e y i m p a i r the rights of actual Senators and Representatives.

L e t it b e r e c o r d e d a n d p u b l i s h e d .

(Signed) W A L D O SILVA, RAMON BARROS LUCO, Secretary, E N R I Q U E V A L D E S V E R G A R A .

39

IX.

Emission of Fraudulent Paper-Money.

I Q U I Q U E , %th of March,

1891.

T h e d e l e g a t i o n of t h e N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s , having l e a r n e d that the D i c t a t o r B a l m a c e d a has m a d e an issue of p a p e r m o n e y t o the a m o u n t of twelve million of dollars, thus v i o lating t h e d i s p o s i t i o n of the Constitution a n d t h e laws w h i c h h a v e b e e n d i c t a t e d for the issue of. p a p e r - m o n e y b y t h e State, DECLARES,

F o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n of t h e interests of t h e State a n d p e o ple, T h a t t h e said e m i s s i o n of $ 1 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 is n o t g u a r a n t e e d b y the p r o c e e d s of t h e national r e v e n u e , neither can it b e r e c e i v e d in t h e p u b l i c treasuries.

L e t it b e r e c o r d e d a n d p u b l i s h e d .

(Signed) W A L D O SILVA, RAMON BARROS LUCO.

40

X.

Decree of Mr. Balmaceda Suspending the Functions of the Courts of Justice.

S A N T I A G O , 27

February,

1891.

Considering : T h a t the administration a n d the g o v e r n m e n t of the State is c o n f i d e d to the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c , a n d that his authority e x t e n d s to all that h a s for o b j e c t the p r e s e r v a t i o n of p u b l i c o r d e r in t h e interior a n d the exterior security of the R e p u b l i c , r e s p e c t i n g and causing to b e r e s p e c t e d t h e Constitution a n d the laws, as f o u n d in 7 3 d A r t . of the p o l i t ical Constitution ; T h a t a p o r t i o n of the m e m b e r s of C o n g r e s s has v i o l a t e d the political Constitution and the laws of the State b y r e belling against the P r e s i d e n t of the R e p u b l i c , a n d b y o b l i g ing the chief of the n a t i o n to a s s u m e all the p u b l i c p o w e r s n e c e s s a r y for re-establishing o r d e r and social tranquility ; T h a t t h e regular a n d o r d i n a r y f u n c t i o n s of t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t and the Courts of A p p e a l , in the a b n o r m a l and e x t r a o r d i n a r y situation, c r e a t e d b y the r e v o l u t i o n a n d t h e a n a r c h y of t h o s e w h o h a v e c o m m e n c e d and sustain it, will p r e v e n t the task of pacification r e c l a i m e d b y the highest national interests, and will p r o d u c e conflicts that will augment the misfortunes that afflict the R e p u b l i c ; I have resolved, and I decree : Until further orders the f u n c t i o n s of the S u p r e m e C o u r t and of the C o u r t s of A p p e a l are s u s p e n d e d .

R e c o r d , m a k e it k n o w n , a n d p u b l i s h . ' BALMACEDA. IsMAEL

PEKEZ.

BN

1102814563

I N

DEX. PAGE.

I. Introduction ..'

II. Chile until 1890. m.

..y. ........

..

Commencement of troubles

6

IV. Balmaceda violates his solemn promises and inaugurates revolutionary measures .. ....

V. Prats' Ministry.—Obliged to resign V I . Dictatorship of Balmaceda V I I . Progress of the Constitutional Government VIII. Attempted mediation IX. Conclusion ANNEXED

1 2

... . \ i

8 10 13 18 19 21

DOCUMENTS:

I. Act of both Houses of the National Congress declaring the inability of Mr. Balmaceda

24

I I . The Presidents of both Houses to the Capt. Jorje Montt III. Acceptation of Capt. Montt as Commander of the fleet IV. Organization of the Constitutional Governments ;

27 28 29-

V. -Recognition of the Constitutional Government as belligerent by Bolivia • ..*..

V I . Decree of Mr. Balmaceda declaring himself Dictator and setting aside the laws.

VII. Decree of Mr. Balmaceda dissolving Congress, ordering a revision of the Constitution and the election of a new Congress, modifying the electoral law and suspending the law of incompatibility. \ •

33

VIII. Decree of the Constitutional Government declaring null and void the elections convoked by the Dictator

35

IX. Emission of fraudulent paper money X . Decree of Mr. Balmaceda suspending the functions of the courts of justice..

>

••••

31 33

37 38