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provinces in anarchy, and a despoiled territory, is to ask for that which Peru in all probability cannot render.

The President cannot permit this government to be a party to such a demand. If there is to be no modification in those terms, it will be the part of wisdom in Chili to carefully consider to what the refusal may lead. The President feels that you may, without impropriety, frankly, but in a friendly, spirit, bring some of these considerations before the minister of foreign affairs in your conversations with him.

At present, it is understood that the whole of Peru, west of the main chain of the Andes, is in the occupation of Chili, and that the care and expense of maintaining government, of preserving society, and of enforcing, order, is thrown upon the armed hostile occupiers. The representatives of Chili are at pains to show us that not only has all pretense of a military opposition disappeared, but that all governmental organization is dissolved, and that the Chilian bayonet is all that saves Peru from anarchy.

Admitting this to be so, one of four things must follow:
First. That the armed occupation is to be permanent; or
Second. That the invader is to be driven out by force; or

Third. That Chili will withdraw, retaining so much of Peru as it desires and leaving the rest to its fate; or

Fourth. That an honorable peace will be made, leaving to Peru a government and a name.

Chili can hardly desire the first of these alternatives, with the questions that are sure to follow between it and the creditors of Peru.

To the second, it will undoubtedly answer that it can never take place; but it will be well to recall events that have taken place in the history of these two powers which tend to show that even the apparently impossible does occur.

The third alternative seems to me impracticable. If it were practicable, Chili could not justify herself before the world; and in any event should it eventuate in the occupation and absorption, without the assent of Peru, of territory whose productions are pledged to creditors of that power, this could not be done without raising grave questions in the future of Chili which the United States, as a friend of that energetic and industrious people, would wish to have avoided.

The fourth alternative is, in the opinion of the President, the wisest and safest course. He is anxious, for many palpable reasons, that it should be brought about through the peaceful influences which the Constitution intrusts to the Executive.

The traditional attidude of the United States toward the sister republics of this continent is one of peace and friendly counsel.

When as colonies they threw off their political connection with Europe, we encouraged them by our sympathies. By the moral weight of our official declarations we prevented intervention either to restore old political connections with Europe, or to create new ones. The policy we then adopted has been since maintained. While we would draw them nearer to us by bonds of mutual interest and friendly feeling, our sole political connection springs from the desire that they should be prosperous and happy under the republican form of government which they and we have chosen. We aim to be regarded as a disinterested friend and counselor, but we do not assume to impose our wishes upon them, or to act as arbitrator or umpire in their disputes, unless moved to it by the wish of both parties, or by controlling interests of our own.

Restraining our action within this sphere, the President desires you to continue to urge upon Chili, both by the arguments suggested in this

instruction and by such other pertinent arguments not inconsistent therewith as may occur to you from your knowledge of the subject, the wisdom and justice of making peace without the acquisition of Tarapaca, unless the province should eventually become Chilian through the inability of Peru to pay a reasonable war indemnity to be agreed upon.

The President does not presume to indicate what that indemnity should be; but he leaves a discretion with you to assent to the tender of the good offices of the United States to Peru on the basis of a very liberal indemnity to Chili, if Peruvian territory is spared. If Chili insists on retaining any of the territory whose products are or may be claimed by creditors of Peru as mortgaged or hypothecated, or in any other way made the basis of a loan, the President is not willing to in volve the United States in the complications which might ensue. He prefers to reserve to this government the full right to determine what its action shall be, should such complications hereafter arise. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

FRED'K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.

No. 5.

Mr. Trescot to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

[Telegram, received February 25, 1882.]

The terms of peace will not be modified by Chili. She alleges that in deference to the United States they are better than the terms offered at Lima and at Arica. The terms are extreme, but Chili is in fact so strong and Peru is so crippled that mere friendly intervention will not have effect. I ask that definite instructions may be sent by cable at once, telling me what to say and to do; I think there is no use in my remaining here; shall I go to Peru and to Bolivia? Shall Blaine remam or return?

No. 6.

Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Trescot.

[Telegram.]

MARCH 1, 1882.

It is preferred that you and Mr. Blaine should remain for the present. From time to time you can report the situation, losing no opportunity to carry out the President's views as already indicated to you.

No. 7.

Mr. Trescot to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

[Telegram, received March 5, 1882.]

I have carried out your instructions scrupulously. The terms of peace will not be modified by Chili. The publication of the instructions

to me and of my confidential telegram has made it impossible to secure a modification. I will stay as directed, but I think that, with the information which I have, I can be more useful at Washington than here. Do you wish any communication of the intentions of the United States to Peru or Bolivia?

No. 8.

Mr. Trescot to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

[Telegram.]

MARCH 15, 1882.

I have had a full and friendly interview with the minister of foreign affairs. As the result I think the condition of affairs requires my presence in Peru; Blaine will go to Bolivia, and after conferring with Adams will proceed thence to join me in Peru if you do not object. It is essential to have trustworthy information from both places. You need feel no fear that I shall depart from your instructions. Please cable immediately.

No. 91

Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Trescot.

[Telegram.]

MARCH 16, 1882.

Your suggestion by cable is approved. The consul at Valparaiso can be left in charge, and tell him to take the archives in his custody.

. Doc

143

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER FOR THE USE OF THE NAVY.

MESSAGE

FROM THE

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

TRANSMITTING

A communication from the Secretary of the Navy in relation to the purchase from the American Wood Preserving Company of machinery for preserving timber for the use of the Navy.

MARCH 28, 1882.-Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and ordered to be printed.

To the Senate and House of Representatives :

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with accompanying papers, on the subject of purchasing from the American Wood Preserving Company the machinery which was erected by that company at the navy-yard, Boston, under contract with the Navy Department, for the purpose of fully testing the company's process of preserving timber for use in the Navy.

The attention of Congress is invited to the subject.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

March 28, 1882.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 23, 1882.

SIR: I deem it for the interest of the public service in the Navy Department that this communication be transmitted to Congress for its consideration.

After several experiments and investigations by boards of Naval officers, one of my predecessors made a contract, a copy of which is herewith transmitted, with the American Wood Preserving Company for the preservation of timber used in the construction of vessels, or otherwise where timber is exposed to decay or the attacks of marine insects. In accordance with this contract and its several extensions, this department has, during the last two administrations, caused the impregnation, according to the process mentioned in the contract, of some 400,000 cubic feet of timber, using such timber in the construction and repair of vessels.

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