Chile had but two neighbors and she had boundary disputes with both.
The dispute with the Argentine led to the erection of a fort and the
founding of a settlement in the Strait of Magellan by Chile in 1843.
From that time until the boundary award by King Edward in 1903, the
two republics were in a continual controversy over territorial limits,
which on more than one occasion led them to the brink of war. With her
other neighbor, Bolivia, Chile had a boundary dispute which has had
far-reaching consequences. A _modus vivendi_ which seemed to promise
lasting peace was agreed upon. Contrary to expectation, however, the
agreement produced war, procuring for Chile another neighbor and still
another territorial dispute. Previous to the war of the Pacific, the
province of Antofagasta, which was Bolivian territory, separated Chile
and Peru, but as a result of that war Chile came into possession of
the province of Antofagasta and consequently became a neighbor to
Peru. Surrounded as she was then with three Republics individually
and collectively maintaining a hostile attitude to her independent
and aggressive policy, Chile was placed in a peculiarly delicate and
dangerous political position. If one of her three neighbors made a move
in its boundary question the other two pressed for a settlement of
similar claims.
During the civil conflict in Chile her three neighbors took advantage
of the internal disturbance to urge settlement of their boundary
questions. And when the relations between Argentina and Chile became
so strained as to make war imminent, Bolivia and Peru assumed a most
aggressive attitude in demanding a settlement of the questions growing
out of the war of ’79. Chile has not forgotten these acts of her
neighbors, but her attitude is not one of resentment. Her desire is for
peace, as has been demonstrated by her generous and amicable adjustment
of differences with Bolivia and Argentina; peace at home and abroad,
but peace with honor. She governs her sword in accordance with the
motto of the Castilian Hidalgo: “No me desenvainas sin causa; no me
envainas sin honor.” (I do not unsheath my sword without cause; I do
not sheath it without honor.)
The territorial questions of Chile with Argentina and Bolivia have been
definitely settled, and the three countries have been greatly benefited
thereby. Chile and the Argentine have been relieved of the enormous
drain upon their resources in the purchase of ships and preparations
for war, and under treaty arrangements capital is seeking investment
in Bolivia in the development of its natural resources. The only
outstanding territorial question that Chile now has to deal with is
that relating to Tacna and Arica.
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