"Many years ago diplomatic intervention became necessary to the protection of the interests in the American claim of Alsop and Company against the government of Chili. The government of Chili had frequently admitted obligation in the case, and had promised this government to settle it. There had been two abortive attempts to do so through arbitral commissions, which failed through lack of jurisdiction. Now, happily, as the result of the recent diplomatic negotiations, the governments of the United States and Chili, actuated by the sincere desire to free from any strain those cordial and friendly relations upon which both set such store, have agreed by a protocol to submit the controversy to definitive settlement by his Britannic Majesty, Edward VII." _Message to Congress of President Taft, December, 1909._ The claim referred to is that of "the Alsop Company of New York and Connecticut which advanced large sums of money to the Bolivian government in exchange for the right to valuable guano deposits in that country and other concessions. The government contracted further to return a part of the loan from the receipts of customs at the port of Arica. Before her contract could be fulfilled Bolivia lost Arica and the adjoining districts to Chili in war. In 1885, following representations by the American State Department, Chili agreed to assume the obligations of Bolivia to the Alsop Company. She has never, however, made good her promise, and the matter has been the subject of diplomatic negotiations ever since. The claim now amounts to more than $1,500,000." CHILE: A. D. 1909. Building of the Transandine Railway Tunnel. See (in this Volume) RAILWAYS: ARGENTINA-CHILE. CHILE: A. D. 1909 (October). Naval plans. See (in this Volume) WAR, THE PREPARATIONS FOR: NAVAL: CHILEAN. ----------CHILE: End-------- ----------CHINA: Start-------- CHINA: A. D. 1887-1907. Increase of Christian Mission Schools. See (in this Volume) EDUCATION: CHINA. CHINA: A. D. 1900-1905. Sudden and rapid upspringing of newspapers.