STACK ANN SYNOPSIS CHILIAN STATISTICS irma al r 1878-1879. SIEOOItTID I'JI 1 I, A DKLI'II 1 A ?, CTOB ^ isao. SYNOPSIS STATISTICAL Al GEOGRAPHICAL OF CHILI. Containing the Principal Data of the Condition of the Country during the Twelve months of the year 1878 and the first nine months of 1879. PRELIMINARIES : All the efforts of the nation and government of Chili, during the year 1878, have been chiefly exerted to counteract, by reduc- tion of expenses and labor, the effects of the financial crisis which, since 1875, have thwarted the progress of the country. The following figures will give evidence of the truth and effi- cacy of these efforts : Savings in public expenditure and in the estimates of the Administration, $1,058,592 Reduction made in the estimates for 1879, . . 951,227 Reduction in private consumption and in the impor- tation of foreign goods, 3,957,102 Increase in the amount of exportation, . . . 1,980,487 Total, $7,947,408 In accordance with this system of reparation, savings and labor, the government has spared no pains to conduct, in a de- corous and proper manner, the old question of limits, pending then as now, between Chili and the Argentine Republic; and even succeeded in making an agreement, which, although left soon without effect, has nevertheless served the interest of the international peace, jeopardized for a moment, and has cleared the way, also, for future and more successful negotiations. Unfortunately, at the moment in which this happy result was 1 obtained, the questions with Bolivia were unduly precipitated by that nation, and have since brought about the present state of war. The government of that Republic, disregarding claims of un- questionable justice, asserted by Chili, endeavored to enforce a law of its Legislature, under which was imposed a tax of ten cents on the dollar for every hundred- weight of saltpetre ex- ported from the port of Antofagasta. This tax virtually an- nulled the treaty of 1874, the third in order of those which Chili had concluded with Bolivia, having always in view the amicable settlement of the questions between the two countries. Because the paramount object of that treaty was chiefly to pro- tect, in the territory ceded by Chili to Bolivia, Chilian capital and business, against taxes which did not exist at the date of said treaty. The new taxes would be calculated to destroy that pro- tection, and defeat all the benefits reserved to Chili for the valu- able concessions she had made to Bolivia. The government of Chili made known to Bolivia, on the 8th of November, 1878, the true import of the question, and informed that government what would be the immediate and principal consequence of the enforcement of the new Bolivian law ; that the treaty would thus be abrogated, and Bolivia would have to assume the responsibility of a rupture; and Chili would be jus- tified in restoring matters to their condition previous to the con- clusion of the treaty between the two countries. Bolivia, without stopping, even for a moment, the haste and violence of its proceedings, advanced the idea of an arbitration, which Chili accepted at once, provided the execution of the new- law which produced the conflict, should be suspended. But Bolivia, declining this form of solution, immediately, and with marked aifectation of sincerity and judgment, stopped the levy- ing of the tax, and ordered the summary resumption of all rights, which under a solemn contract of five years' peaceful du- ration, the Chilian saltpetre company of Antofagasta had ac- quired, and which was the principal centre of the Chilian inter- ests protected by the treaty of 1874. The government of Bolivia, after offering to Chili this act as a satisfactory reparation, precipitated, by all measures, the execu- tion of its work without any consideration of respect due to the Chilian legation in La Paz ; and Chili, even in those critical moments, flattered itself with the idea that an arbitration for the second time suggested by the Bolivian Cabinet would restrain the violation of Bolivian faith, and thus avoid war, the only effective, though painful, remedy for such grievances. Reason and pacific efforts were not regarded by the government of Bolivia, and its very summary proceedings against the salt- petre company compelled Chili to carry material force to a ter- ritory where injury to a valuable Chilian property had been in- flicted, and the protections granted by the treaty of 1874 had been disregarded and violated. Thus, on the 14th of February, 1879, the difficulties which the Chilian Cabinet had so earnestly tried to avoid since the 8th of November, 1878, was solved by the military occupation of Antofagasta by Chili. This done, notwithstanding the generous aspirations of the Chilian government to the contrary, the Peruvian press became alarmed and began an agitation in which the government of Peru soon after was involved. Said government proceeded to arm itself at full speed; declined at first to declare a definite policy ; and in March, 1879, sent an extraordinary legation to Chili with the os- tensible and especial object of offering the mediation of Peru. But as a mediation should only be offered by a neutral na- tion, it was necessary that Peru should begin by giving a declara- tion of neutrality, and also by explicitly denying the rumored existence of a secret treaty with Bolivia to the detriment of Chili. The envoy of Peru refused to do the first, and in regard to the existence of the treaty, offered, after many evasive answers, to transmit to the Chilian government a formal declaration of his own. But as this reply being delayed in reaching Santiago, and as Peru was in the meantime increasing its armaments, it became necessary to put an end to a situation which to all 1821178 evidence was dangerous for Chili and fully advantageous to the country which, while under the shade of the peace, was acquir- ing elements and collecting forces for war. On the final demand of Chili, Peru replied that it could not remain neutral in the struggle by the reason of a treaty which was in fact one of offensive and defensive alliance. Thus the old enmity of Peru and the perfidious machinations of its government being shown, war became inevitable, and it was declared by Chili on the 4th of the subsequent April. Under the workings of this war, it was essential that all the elements of the financial and economical movement of Chili, from February to November of 1879, should be arranged to meet the crisis. SHORT HISTORICAL SKETCH. Fernando de Magallanes by the south, and Almagro and Val- divia by the north, bore each a part in the earlier discovery and conquest of this land inhabited by strong and independent tribes of aborigines, which soon after was known as the Kingdom of Chili. To Magallanes (1520), is due the glory of discovering the straits which bear his name (Straits of Magellan) ; to Almagro (1535), that of the toilsome exploration of the northern and cen- tral valleys of Chili; and to Pedro de Valdivia (1540-1553), that of recognizing the land and settling the most suitable parts for colonization, and that of conducting the stubborn struggle with the wild Araucanians. During the government of Hur- tado de Mendoza (1557-1560), this struggle was brought mo- mentarily to a close, and with that of Francis Villagran (1561), began the period of the colonization. The existence of this government, after the Spanish system of that epoch ended, on the 18th of September, 1810, through the double influence of the French Revolution and the internal troubles of the Me- tropolis, Spain, left then without a head, called on its inhabit- ants to take measures for the defense of themselves and their government. The people of the Chilian colony tried to do this, but was thwarted by plots and war by the Spanish partizans 5 headed at Lima by the viceroy, until Chili proclaimed openly its independence and sealed it victoriously and forever on the field of Maipo, the 5th of April, 3818. Now the Chilian, Bernardo O'Higgins, with the title of Director and invested with full power, figures in the first repub- lican organization of the country. Under his government (1817-1822), the National Institute and Library, erected at the time of the political transformation of 1810, were reorganized ; religious liberty was initiated ; an expedition to free Peru was fitted out (1819), and sprang from there the Chilian navy whose cannons cleared the waters of the Pacific of the Spanish vessels from the Straits of Magal lanes (Magellan) to the coasts of Mexico. The liberator, General Freire (1823-1827), succeeded O'Hig- gins, and under his authority of popular and liberal tendencies, the war of independence was completed and slavery altogether abolished. In that time, though, the country was not entirely settled, neither free from rival struggles; butafter the re-construc- tion de facto of 1830, the establishment of the Constitution of 1833 followed, whose spirit, vivified by long years of peace and improvement, has been intermingled with the social organiza- tion of Chili. This condition of the country, being secured with- out violent measures, has given life and force to ten successive administrations which have been guided in their principles and policy by the electoral action and the public press. The two administrations of General Prieto's presidency, lasted from 1831 to 1841, and established new institutions, organized the public treasury or finances, and the national credit, and made prominent the name of Chili in its foreign relations, since by their policy and arms they overthew (1839), the Confederation Pei^u-Bollana, brought up by deceitful usurpation on the part of General Santa Cruz, president of Bolivia. The president, General Bulnes, elected after finishing the cam- paign in Peru, presided over two periods (1841-1 851). His admin- istrations were distinguished by the utmost regularity ; by a more liberal and milder spirit than even the preceding ones ; by a fos- tering of public instruction, and by causing the preparation of the civil code, which in the two following administrations (1851-1861), of the citizen Manuel Montt, was completed and promulgated by this magistrate. His government is noted also for its ample liberality to the spirit of enterprise, and in calling to the country of foreign capital and immigration, and for the commencement of several important public works. Under the two administrations (1861-1871), of the citizen Joaquin Perez, a new impulse was given to the establishment of railroads and telegraphs ; religious tolerance was sustained ; and under his administration a conflict with Spain commenced (in 1865), which after a war, scarcely perceptible, of two naval en- gagements and one unopposed bombardment, still remains un- decided. The Chilian government has shown a spirit of toler- ance and encouraged a steady intercourse with men and ideas which greatly moderated some old passions among the parties. During the administration of the citizen, Frederic Errazuriz, (1871-1876), and under the influence of this statesman, the principle of alternation in the executive power was widened by the non-election of president for a second term ; the system of railways and telegraphs was farther completed ; the country ac- quired powerful war-vessels, which at present are the shield of its honor and rights, and finally, the political movements were ordered so as to be immediate and efficient, under the influences of new ideas and of the men who professed them. The actual administration, presided by the citizen, Anibal Pinto, since the 18th of September, 1876, has been unable to pur- sue the material development of the country, in consequence of the world-wide financial crisis, which finally reached Chili also, after having prostrated to a degree the other nations of the globe. These relate to production, exchange and consumption. The work of re-establishing the equilibrium by reduction of ex- penses and labor was the only possible and safe relief, and to this work the administration directed its attention, beginning by re- ducing the estimates for public expenditures from $21,000,000 to $16,000,000. At the same time it organized the public admin- istration in the saltpetre and mining regions recently discovered in the north of Atacama, and giving to the new industries, already budding, such help as was fitted with the state of the treasury. In its policy, it firmly assented to the declaration of amend- ments in the Constitution without restraints in its proceedings ; and in the latter months of 1878 and the former ones of 1879, displayed, in the management of its foreign relations, a policy which can justly be defined as moderation in strength and strength in moderation. '\ he present war which Chili makes against Peru and Bolivia, allied secretly, to the harm of the former since 1873, may be considered a synthetical demonstration of the progress reached by this country in its sixty years of in- dependence. To this war, it has taken a fleet relatively power- ful, with an artillery and vessels of the last and most scientific improvements, and an army more numerous than any which, up to the present time, has been put on foot by this country, of whose resources some idea can be formed, by taking note that it landed and operated in a territory totally devoid of water and food, besides being that of the enemy, and in which, neverthe- less, has been mounted or established up to the present date a train of hospitals, victuals, covered encampments, machines for distilling water, stores of forage, a line of steamers and a tele- graph, modern ordnance, stationary and movable, and a military administration suitable for the occupancy of the territory. The expenses incident to this powerful train of war have been made without affecting, as in ordinary times, the punctual pay- ment of the administrative service and debt. At the same time, the country has made a fortunate assay of the ever dangerous system of paper money. This emission cir- culates to-day at the value of 80 per cent. The prudence of the nation will be sufficient to use sparely, as it ought, this powerful resource. 8 II. GEOGEAPHICAL POSITION AND PHYSICAL ASPECT EXTENTION INDUSTRIAL ZONES, DETERMINED BY THE PHYSICAL NA- TURE AND GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION GEOLOGICAL CONSTI- TUTION ETHNOGRAPHY AND MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY. Chili occupies the south-west and most southern extremity of South America, washed on the west by the Pacific Ocean, from 24 lat. south, the established limit which separated it, until the 14th of February, 1879,* from Bolivia, unto the parallel which passes to the south of Cape Horn ; and between the shore of this ocean and the anticlinal line of the Cordillera de los Andes, comprehended from 24 to 38 lat. south, which divides it on the east from the Argentine Republic. From here its limit with that republic reaches the Atlantic in parts of Patagonia, which up to the present have not been clearly defined, including in the Chilian territory the southern part, the Straits of Magallanes, and the archipelagoes of Tierra del Fuego, etc., which, from the western mouth of the Straits, continues to the north, along the Pacific coast. The form of the country is that of a long band which reaches from the foot of the Andes to the Pacific. Its extension, longi- tudinally, runs from north to south until meeting the 34th- parallel south, where it turns first to the west, and afterward to the east, thus forming an angle of 8 with the meridian of Cape Horn. The appearance of the territory is sufficiently original to be interesting. On the east are the great Cordillera of the Andes, with their towering peaks and numerous counter-forts, while on the west, * Chili had claimed rights since the Spanish conquest even to the river Loa, though it had exercised only sovereignty and jurisdiction as far as the parallel 23 south after its independence; but by peaceful agreements with Bolivia in the treaties of 3866 and 1874, the limits between the two countries were fixed on the parallel 24. The stipulations of the treaties being disregarded by Bolivia, Chili resumed its old northern limit on the 23- near the Pacific coast, the Cordillera de la Costa or Maritime extends in the same direction. Between these chains of moun- tains the central valley opens out, and almost without any inter- ruption extends from lat. 33 to lat. 41 30'. Of these two chains of mountains, the Andean is remarkable for its abrupt slopes, its snow-clad summits, and its uniform ex- tension from north to south ; whereas the Maritime presents openings through which the numerous rivers, which rise in the Andes, flow to the sea. This second range seems, in regard to the first, as its lower step ; their declivities are gentle, its profile less broken, without any regular continuation, spreading here and there counter-forts of some importance. From parallel 23 south to 41 30', the Chilian territory is of a uniform aspect, and the coast range offers no peculiarity ; but beyond 41 this chain is suddenly transformed; its valleys and plains become abated, or rather give place to the waters of the Pacific, which here form an inextricable labyrinth of islands, islet?, channels and inlets as far as Cape Horn. The area of the territory, without including Patagonia, neither the northernmost districts re-incorporated manu militari in the present war, is 587,000 square kilometres, or 226,614 square miles. The length of the country, north to south, is over 3,660 kilometres., or 1,980 miles, of 60 to a degree, and its width an average of 175 kilometres, or 100 miles. Nature has divided this territory in three regions or sections, which are : 1st. At the north the mining region from parallels 23 to 33. In the most northern part, little rain, or none ; streams even still less; nearly devoid of vegetation ; deposits of saltpetre and guano ; copper, silver and gold mines abundant, and of a supe- rior quality in all of it; greater extremes of heat and cold, but the mean temperature in the shade not rising higher than 78 F. in summer, nor falling down lower than 45 in winter. The more southern valleys of this region are more watery and very fertile. 2d. Agricultural region, between the parallels 33 and 42 10 south; central valley well-watered and genial climate; mean temperature 75 F. in summer and 45 in winter; rainy, espe- cially so advancing south; soil rich and fertile; abundant forests in the Cordillera of the coast and in the lower plains and slopes of the Andes ; robust vegetation even to the most southern lati- tude; plenty of coal and timber. 3d. Fishing and navigation region; from 42 to 56 lat. S. ; the central valley disappears, and the Maritime mountain changes into archipelagoes, with over fifty inhabitable islands ; rains abundant ; islands covered with exuberant vegetation ; mean cold in winter 35. The geological constitution of the country presents all the formations of a scientific classification ; that of the Maritime range is granite of various classes, while that of the Andes is composed of plutonic rocks of volcanic origin. The central valley, which is the richest, is composed of a most fertile alluvial soil. Chilian ethnography is far from offering, by the variety of its races, the interest of that of other American nations. Only two races predominate in Chili the native, recently nearly colonized and conquered, and the Spanish or European. The first is divided in four branches, which are: the Fue- ffuina, or Fuegian, in Tierra del Fuego ; the Chonos, in the west- ern channels of Patagonia ; the Araucana, which inhabits some of the southern part of the second region already mentioned ; and the Changos, of Peruvian descent, which before the conquest peopled the literal which extends from the Desert of Atacama to the northern limits of Arauco. At present the fusion of these two great elements of popula- tion, the native and Spanish, or European, may be considered as completed, the only remains of the true native type being some fifty or fifty-five thousand individuals, entirely wild. The Spanish language is the only one used throughout Chili. The vernacular Araucanian and Fuegian are preserved among the wild tribes. 11 The following table shows in general the state of mortality in Chili, and points out, in general, the vital statistics and common diseases : DISEASES. DEATHS. AVERAGE. Men. Women. Men. Women. Consumption. 871 641 505 401 280 238 169 65 952 352 280 311 60 13 63 59 Per cent. 22-4 16-7 12-9 10-3 7-2 6-1 4-3 1-7 Per cent. 34-6 12-1 10-2 11-3 2-2 0-5 2-3 2-2 Fevers, Pneumonia, ...... Dysentery, Syphilis, From wound^, Diseases of the Heart, . The rate of death to the population is 1 for every 36 inhab- itants. III. POPULATION, MEANS OF DEVELOPMENT AND NUMBER OF VOTERS. According to the census, taken on the 19th of April, 1875, the population of Chili was in that year 2,075,971. Classified according to sex : Men, Women, .... Or, Single, Married, . Widows and Widowers, . . 1,033,974 . 1,041,997 Men. Women. 725,389 690,469 278,013 276,948 30,572 74,580 Total, . 1,033,974 1,041,997 12 State of instruction : Can read, Can read and write, Neither read nor write, Total, Nationalities : Germans, Argentines, . Spaniards, French, English, Italians, North Americans, Peruvians, Other American States, Other European States, Asiatics, etc., Men. 270,908 244,985 518,081 1,033,974 Men. 3,143 4,560 1,102 2,408 3,459 1,724 821 470 470 1,211 132 Women. 206,413 176,162 659,422 1,041,997 Women. 1,535 2,623 121 906 808 259 110 361 209 199 4 Total, . . . 19,500 7,135 Id. Chilians, . . 1,014,484 .1,034,862 The population augmented by the 31st of December, 1877, to 2,136,724, proving by this result and also that of 1876, an average yearly increase of 19,000 to 20,000 inhabitants. There- fore the population, at the end of 1879, was about 2,180,000 ; and, accordingly, its density about 4 inhabitants to a square kilo- metre, or 9 to a square mile. At the end of the year 1877, the register of births, deaths and marriages was as follows : Men. Women. Births, 41,905 40,390 Deaths, . ... 31,617 30,732 13 COMPARISON. Births, 82,295 Deaths, 62,349 19,946 Marriages, 13,576 The census of electors who voted in 1876 : Population in general (1875), .... 2,074,827 Qualified or registered voting citizens (1875), . . 106,194 Voting for the election of President of the Repub- lic (1876), 46,114 Electors of President, elected by popular votes, . 327 Average of votes according to the population, 1 in 45 inhabit- ants. Of those qualified, 43 per cent, exercised their right of voting. IV. GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION STATE OF THE PUBLIC TREASURY IN 1878 AND 1879 ESTIMATE FOR 1880 PUB- LIC DEBI INVESTMENT OF THE PASSIVE OF THE ESTI- MATE COIN. The Republic of Chili is representative, united and indivisi- ble. Its government is exercised by three independent powers, which work harmoniously, each in its respective functions, de- fined by the Constitution of 1833. 1st. The Legislative power is invested in a Congress composed of a House of 109 representatives, which are elected popularly every three years, and of a Senate of 37 members, elected for six years by electors of popular vote of each province. 2d. The Executive power is in the hands of a President, 14 elected for a term of five years, also by electors in every prov- ince : he is assisted by a responsible ministry. 3d. The Judicial power is indirectly of popular origin, and the judges hold office during good behavior. For the purpose of the national administration, the territory of the Republic is divided actually in 17 provinces and 2 terri- tories. The provinces are governed by high functionaries, and subdivided in 58 departments, each under the authority of a governor, and the departments in 681 subdelegations and 3,738 political districts. The municipal or local administration comprehends 51 city councils or municipalities, with 179 judges and a corresponding number of officers. Religious liberty forms part of the Chilian public law. PERSONS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE EXECU- TIVE DEPARTMENT. President of the Republic, ANIBAL PINTO. His constitutional period commenced on the 18th of Septem- ber, 1876, and will terminate on the 17th of said month of 1881. MINISTERS. Department of the Interior Domingo Santa Maria. of Foreign Affairs and Colonization Miguel Luis Amunategui. of Justice and Public Instruction Jose Antonio Gandarillas. " of Finances, Agriculture and Mines Augusto Matte. of War and Navy Rafael Sotoraayor. Judicial matters are administered by a Supreme Court, of national jurisdiction : seats at the capital, Santiago. One High Court of Appeal at Santiago, divided in two halls districts, the central provinces. 15 Other ditto at Serena districts, the provinces of the north. Another ditto at Concepcion districts, provinces of the south and territories. There are 43 inferior courts of justice for civil and criminal cases, and the corresponding minor judges. The affairs of the church in Catholic religion, which is pro- tected and sustained by the State, are under the direction of one archbishopric at Santiago, three bishoprics at Serena, Con- cepcion and Anctid, and the respective chapters of cathredrals and curates. The criminal statistics for 1878 are : Number of trials, ..... 6,059 Of which number, were Sentenced, . . . . . '. . 3,058 Absolved, . . . - 2 > 9 8 The offenses for which tried, were : Against the State, ' . . . Ji . 568 " Morals, . ... .' .'105 " Persons, . . . . . . 2,025 " the Property, . . . ' "' . . 3,361 6,059 According to the balance sheet, the state of the public treasury 31st December, 1878, was the following: Cash in hand 31st December, 1877, . . $2,348,191 63 Ordinary income, 14,031,867 92 Loan, internal ($3,974,571), and extraordinary receipts, 4,063,918 39 Total, .... $20,443,977 94 16 Expenses : For 1878, reduced by savings from $17,- 576,302 to $16,660,289 78 Deficit on the 31st December, 1877, . . 4,715,439 38 1 Total, . . ^ . . . . $21,375,729 16J COMPARISON. Income 31st December, 1878, . . . $20,443,927 94 Expenses, 21,375,729 Deficit on the 31st December, 1878, $931,801 22J As is seen, the treasury deficit for the 31st December, 1877, was 4| millions, which has fallen to less than one million for the 31st December, 1878. Financial movement for 1878 : The ordinary income for 1878 exceeded that of 1877 by $334,015, principally arising from monopolies and an increase of traffic on government railways, this last being a sign of a favorable reaction. The Custom-House duties fell $189,437, which represents a greater reduction in the consumption of imported goods. In the ordinary receipts for 1877 the amount of credit was $4,884,54236 Reduced in 1878 to 3,974,571 77 Less in 1878, .... $909,970 59 This notable diminution in the deficit and loans which burden the future, is owing to greater reduction in the administration which in 1878 reached $1,058,592; a greater reduction in the national consumption and an increase in the products, which will be noted later. 17 In the expenses for 1878, national works and support to the mineral salt works of Atacaraa, figure for $435,729. The state of the national treasury on the 31st December, 1879, will therefore be as follows: ACTIVE. Ordinary income, . . . . . $14,506,293 75 Appeal to credit internal loan, . . . 357,500 00 $14,863,793 75 PASSIVE. The ordinary estimated expenses reached . $17,072,712 26 Plus deficit from 1878, . t' ; . . ; .; 931,80100 $18,004,513 26 Total, reduced by economy in the adminis- tration and by suspending the amortization of the loan, to . . . .$16,001,463 COMPARISON. Active, . . . . . . . $14,863,793 75 Passive, 16,001,463 48 Deficit for 1880, .... $1,137,669 The increase which is noted in this deficit, compared with that of 1878, is still greater if the suspension of the sinking of the loan is taken into account, but this is compensated for, in the first place, by the considerable diminution of loans ; and next by the excess of exports over the imports, which is a great source of wealth. 18 The estimates presented for 1880, give the following results : Active : estimated income, .... $14,970,000 00 Passive: ordinary expenses, . . . 14,930,114 00 Residue, $39,886 00 To be added the deficit for 1879, . . $1,137,669 73J Plus the capital of debt, of which the amortization has been suspended. In return, the country will have in its favor on the 31st of December, 1879, $14,000,000, arising from the excess of imports over the consumption, brought into the country during the two last years ; a rich harvest of agricultural and mineral products ; all of which indicate greater prosperity for the forth-coming year, and an income greater than that reckoned upon the esti- mates of J 879. Here are the estimates. The receipts newly created are marked with an asterisk : Customs, $6,400,000 Railways, 3,500,000 Monopolies, 1,800,000 Land-tax, 1,040,000 Stamps and stamped paper, .... 250,000 Patents, 250,000 Excise, . . . . 300,000 Mint, 100,000 Post-office and telegraphs, 240,000 Rent of national estates, 25,000 Sale of national property and lands, . . . 250,000 *Tax on movable property, .... 600,000 *Legacy duty, 100,000 *Tolls, 40,000 Sundry incomes, 75,000 $14,970,000 19 The state of the public debt on the 31st of July, 1879, was as follows : Internal debt, $19,320,550 Annuities on assumed mortgages, . . . 8,349,442 Foreign debt, ... .... 34,879,000 $62,548,992 To which sum we must add the 12 millions of legal tenders with which the expenses of the present war are paid, 12,000,000 $74,548,992 A burden which, divided among the 2,180,000 inhabitants, gives us in round numbers $34.20 a head. The following data will prove the solvency of the country in face of the total of the debt : In 1878, the rate of imports per head was . . $10 87 " " exports . . . . . 1366 Annual saving per head, $2.73, or $5,959,440 for the whole population. The government railways alone represent a value superior to the external debt, and gave in 1878 a gross income of 2,978,454, only inferior by $426,965 to the interest and amortization of the external debt for the before-mentioned year. This gross income of government railways is reckoned for 1880 at 3 millions, or $95,000 more than the total of that service. The estimate of railway receipts are calculated in gross. And finally, the production of mineral salts, new to the country, can be estimated for the end of the present year at 6 millions of dollars, with a profit of 50 per cent, on the same. The quantities which constitute the total of the national expenses for 1878, are applied to the payment of the following services : 20 Public security; administration of justice and penal prisons; prevention and repression of crime by the police, to whose support the municipalities also contribute, $711,036 Army and navy, 2,370,234 Public credit, 6,432,135 Collection of duties and liabilities of government officers, 587,948 Material support or protection, .... 677,397 Beneficence and sustenance of this service, . . 400,449 Telegraphs and post-office, ..... 3,541,801 Public instruction, . . . . . . 1,004,265 Worship, 194,761 Total, $15,920,026 The balance is divided among the administrative officers, the material of the offices and in buying monopolized articles. Consequently, each person pays to the State : For security (police), $ 31 For defense (army and navy), 1 10 Public debt, 3 00 Contributions (Administration), . . . . . 21 Public works, ...*.... 31 Beneficence and recompenses, . . . . . 18 Roads, 1 60 Public instruction, 48 Worship, 9 Total, . . ... $7 28 The real tax per head is $8, adding the national and muni- cipal contributions. During the year 1878 the Mint coined the following quantity of gold and silver: Gold, $79,380 00 Silver, . 1,546,956 29 $1,626,336 29 21 The exportation of national money in the same year was : Gold, ... ...... $107,630 00 Silver, ....... 3,123,280 00 $3,230,910 00 COMPARISON. Coined, . . . : . ;-.,,.. . . $1,626,36929 Exported, . . , . . . . 3,230,910 00 Excess of exportation over coinage in 1878, $1,604,540 71 The amount of gold and silver coined the first eleven months of the present year (1879) has been as follows : GOLD. In $10 pieces (condors), . . ... $65,180 00 SILVEE. Coin of 0.9 of pure silver. Of 100 cents, . . . . ' .' . . $770,19500 Of 20 " . ' '. . . . . . 1,929 00 Of 10 " . I . . ' .' . . 946 90 Of 5 " . . . . . . ' . 807 85 Coins of 0.5 pure silver. Of 20 cents, . . . . '..,. . $815,30620 Of 10 " . . . . . . . 64,965 80 Of 5 " 17,685 80 Copper Coins. Of 2 cents, $8,581 94 Ofl cent, . . . .v . . . 6,779 95 $1,752,378 44 Has been exported : Gold to the value of . . . . . . $81,336 00 Silver " " ...... 2,155,374 00 $2,236,710 00 22 COMPARED WITH 1879. Coined, . $1,752,378 44 Exported, 2,236,710 00 Excess of exportation over coinage in 1879, $484,331 56 RECAPITULATION. Balance in contra for 1878, . . . $1,604,550 71 " " for 1879, . . . 484,331 56 $2,088,882 27 This copious exportation of sterling coin arises from three causes, viz. : 1st. The deficiency of the crops of 1876 and 1877. That of the last year, which was gathered during the first months of the following, was so extremely poor that the country was obliged to import corn from the United States, Argentine Re- public, and Uruguay, to the value of $284,623. 2d. The pre- ponderance of paper money, which, owing to the war, has had to be redeemed by fiduciary money. It is well known that circu- lating bank notes facilitate the exportation of coin, above all if the depreciation of the former raises the rate of exchange ; and 3d. The necessary payment of interests in sterling coin, of foreign capitals deposited in this country. GENERAL COMMERCE IMPORTS AND EXPORTS COASTING TRADE NAVIGATION. The total of the amount of international exchange in 1878 ascended to $63,929,075, thus composed : Imported by sea, . . . $26,880,964 " by land, . . 1,938,357 $28,819,321 Exports, .... $31,695,859 In transit, .... 3,413,895 $35,109,754 23 The commerce of exports and imports, or exchange of na- tional products for foreign ones, was as follows : Exportation of the former, .... $31,695,859 Importation of the latter, . . . ' 25,322,011 $57,017,870 Excess of exports of national produce over imports, $6,373,848 In 1877 this excess was, . . . : , . . 436,259 $6,810,107 The following is an analysis of the exports : Labor has produced in Mineral products, value in market, * '* Agricultural products " Manufactured " " . .-'. , Miscellaneous articles, " "-, Savings in National coin, .... . $3,230,910 Foreign coin in circulation, - ! > ' *-> -*'; -. ' ;' 163,626 Bank-notes, ... ; - . X. 914,500 Articles imported and re-exported, . , 892,540 $31,695,859 Comparing the exports of 1877 with those of 1878, we find that, during the latter year, less agricultural but more mineral products were exported. The scanty crops of 1877, which were gathered in the first months of 1878, will explain the former. Whereas, the increase, in the exportation of minerals, notwith- standing the low price, indicates a greater amount of labor and capital dedicated to that branch of production. The importation of foreign goods which in 1877 was $29,279,113 Fell, in 1878, to 25,216,054 Greater reduction in consumption, . . $4,062,559 24 List of imports : I. Articles of food, ... . $6,800,947 II. Textile goods, ... . 6,082,727 III. Kaw material, ...... 2,183,764 IV. Clothing, jewels, etc., . . . 1,837,974 V. Machinery, instruments, etc., . . . 1,711,793 VI. Articles for domestic purposes, . . . 1,505,221 VII- Locomotion, railways and telegraphs, . 330,210 VIII. Wines and spirits, 743^149 IX. Snuff, tobacco, etc., 847,365 X. Minerals, gold, silver and copper bars, . 576,462 XI. Articles for the sciences and arts, . . 576,462 XII. Drugs for medicinal and industrial purposes, 225,400 XIII. Arms and ammunition, .... 66,063 XIV. Various articles, 1,829,475 C Gold coin, 9,429 XV. J Silver coin, 33,231 (Bank-notes, 54,035 As in these imports there are certain values which increase the working capital of the country, viz. : machinery, locomo- tives, railways and telegraphs for . . . $1,711,793 And coin and bank-notes for .... 96,595 $1,808,388 The true balance for the 3Jst of December, 1878 is, therefore, as follows : Increase in exportation, $6,810,107 Increase in circulating capital, .... 1,808,388 $8,618,495 "With reference to the exportation for the present year, 1879, the following data may be relied upon : The exportation of 25 agricultural produce in the first nine months of the year has been $7,432,042; that of metals and minerals, not including those exported from Antofagasta, in the first six months, $8,371,- 437, and that of gold and silver coin, national and nation- alized, $2,155,374. Consequently, under these data, the ex- ports for 1879, may be estimated at $34,000,000. And sup- posing the imports to be the same as in 1878 (machinery and coin being deducted), $23,408,166, plus articles of war, bought by the state, $5,000,000 (approximation), equals $28,408,166. We shall have at the end of the year, the following satisfactory balance : Exportation, ". . ! . . . '-' V . $34,000,000 Importation, . 28,408,166 Balance in favor of country, .... 5,591,834 Adding the balances of '76 and 77, . . . 8,618,495 Gives for total, . .. . ... . . . $14,210,229 From the above we have only to deduct the quantities corres- ponding to the amortization of the foreign loan, which has not been paid during the present year, 1879. The principal industrial consumption per head in 1878, may be thus classified : Articles of food, . . . . . $2 93 each inhabitant. Textile goods, 2 62 " " Raw materials, 94 " " Machinery,. ..... 74 " " Sciences and arts, . . . . 16 " Clothing and jewels, .... 79 " " Snuff, tobacco, etc., .... 32 " " 26 Value of coasting-trade, in 1878, reached, . . $68,218,649 The state of navigation is represented by the following figures : Sailing ships, Steamers, . ARRIVALS. Vessels. . 645 658 Tonnage. 324,120 893,135 Crew. 10,570 46,358 56,928 Sailing ships, Steamers, . SAILED. . 713 794 358,653 11,568 1,014,736 55,090 Sailing ships, Steamers, . 1,507 1,373,389 66,658 COASTING-TRADE. ARRIVALS. . 1,917 508,305 . 2,316 1,892,617 16,110 114,074 4,233 2,400,922 130,184 Sailing ships, Steamers, . SAILED. 1,843 485,004 15,097 2,170 1,748,916 101,804 4,013 2,243,920 116,901 27 VI. AGRICULTURE ARABLE LANDS LAND CULTIVATED IN 1877 PRODUCE OF THESE LANDS AGRICULTURAL POPULA- TION MORTGAGES COAL. The extent of cultivable land in the peopled territory is 7,929,078 hectares, or 19,584,825 acres. The part cultivated in 1877, 614,807 hectares, or 1,518,573 acres, or less than 8 per cent, of cultivable land. The yield of wheat only in 1877 was 3,993,723 hectolitres, or 10,982,740 bushels. In 1878, 3,643,727 hectolitres, or 10,010,250 bushels. According to the census of 1875 the number of husbandmen is 171,983. During the year 1878, loans on land mortgages made by the respective institutions, amounted to $3,312,100, guaranteed by 88 farms, whose value is estimated at $10,389,226. The total value in circulation of mortgage notes on the 31st December, 1878, was $15,304,000. The production of coal from the principal mines in the south of Chili reached, in 1876, to 48,184,960 metrical quintals, or 4,742,614 English tons ; but this amount has increased in the last two years. VII. RAILWAYS AND ROADS TELEGRAPHS POST-OFFICE. The country is owner of 863 kilometres or 536 miles of rail- ways and of 88 kilometres or 54 of branch lines, which are ad- ministered and worked by the government. The cost of these, to 31st December, 1878, was $38,628,479, which is equal to 50 per cent, of the capital of the European loan, and constitutes in its origin the total of our foreign debt. The balance of this same debt, which is to-day $34,879,000, is, as is seen, more than compensated by the working value of the government or fiscal railways. Working value for 1878 : Passengers, ....... Goods, . . . . . metrical cvvts. The gross income was ..... $3,011,269 The expenses of working, repairs, etc., . . 1,870,467 Residue, .... $1,140,802 Which corresponds to 3 per cent, of the capital spent, and forms the direct remuneration of that capital. The increasing development of national produce and of custom duties, owing to the cheapness and facility of steam communication more than compensates the difference, comparing the interest of the foreign debt with that of the interest of the capital spent in railways. The national exportation before the existence of railways (1853) was, $12,138,000 Custom-house duties, . . . . . 3,358,540 In 1878 the exportation was, .... 31,695,859 And custom-house duties, .... 6,188,271 To the 951 kilometres of railways of public property, it is necessary to add 674 kilometres of private property, the value of which amounts to $11,527,402. That is to say the country possesses 1,625 kilometres, or 1,010 miles of railways. It also possesses, for communication : 699 public roads, . . 24,711 kils. or 15,370 miles. 1,562 by-roads, . . . 17,863 " 11,030 " 78 water ways, . . 4,514 " 2,810 " The net work of telegraphs which the government possesses, and works for its own account, embraced at the beginning of 1879, 5,523 kilometres, or 3,435 miles, and was served by 63 offices. The northern line extends from Copiapo, capital of the prov- ince of Atacama, to Iquique, head-quarters of the army of occu- pation of the province of Tarapaca, in Peru. 29 During the year 1878, were transmitted by the wires : Private messages, 158,359, with 2,873,439 words, value, $44,532 Official messages 87,639, with 3,438,500 words, which is according to the ordinary tariff, value, . . 36,587 $81,119 Expenses of administration, repairs, etc., in 1879, . 99,043 Difference in contra, .... $17,924 represents the expense to the state of this important branch of national development. The post-offices of the country during the year 1878, carried 6,632,110 letters; 14,993 samples; 13,348 judicial files; 373,235 official dispatches ; 8,639,544 pamphlets ; which form a total of 15,673,130, or J, 052,062 more than in the year 1877. Expense of post service, . ... . . $253,282 Keceipts, . . . . . . . . 202,213 Excess of expense, . . ... . $51,060 The money-order office, in connection with the post-office, issued, in 1878, money-orders amounting to $838,021. The expense of this important branch was . . . $7,500 And the receipts, . . . . .... . 7,000 Cost of service, $500 Chili has united in the postal convention of Paris. The tariffs for telegrams, letters and money-orders are very moderate, the object being to foster the moral and material de- velopment of the country. 30 VIII. In Chili there is perfect liberty of instruction. Nevertheless, the State, through the University at Santiago, reserves for itself the right of granting certificates in cases where those who have received the education intend to follow some professions which, according to law, require a special guaranty, for the effects that their practise or exercise may work on society. This guarantee on the part of the State is made with the most strict impartiality, and is thus made a means of stimulating learning and teaching. The State, acting in accordance with the principles proclaimed by the revolution of 1810, became responsible for the develop- ment of popular instruction, appropriating necessary public money; and to fulfill this duty, every government, since the 18th of September, 1810, has been vying with each other. The instruction, paid and fomented by the State, is divided in three classes : Superior instruction. Middle instruction. Elementary instruction. The first is given by the respective section of the National Institute, Santiago, and in the lycea or high colleges of Copiapo, Serena, Valparaiso and Concepcion. It includes the branches necessary for the following professions : Laws, Mathematics, Medicine, Engineering, Painting, etc. In the university section of the Institute in 1878, 762 students pursued the higher course of study, divided in the following manner : Laws, 378 Medicine, . . . . . . 340 Mathematics, 33 31 In the section of painting, drawing and sculpture, 55 students assisted, divided in the following manner : Painting and drawing, . 44 Sculpture, . . . . . .". 11 The government maintains in the academy of painting and sculpture, in Paris, two proficient pupils in the school of paint- ing. The conservatory of music was attended by Male. Female. Theory and sol-faing (3 sections), . .68 199 Piano, . . . . 117 Vocal, . . . . . ; . 26 99 Orchestra, . . . . . . 39 36 Total, . . ... 133 451 During the year 1878, the following pupils received a middle- class education in the following establishments : In the first section of the National Institute, 1,052 Lyceum de Copiapo, . . . .213 " La Serena, . . . .216 " San Felipe, , ; ' r . . v 217 " Valparaiso, . . .. . 362 " Kancagua, . . . ,.- . 68 " San Fernando, . . ... 85 " Curic6, 102 " Talca, . . . . .279 " Linares, 51 " Cauque"nes, .... 76 " Chilian, 133 " Concepcion, .... 302 Number carried forward, . 3,156 32 Number brought forward, . . 3,156 Lyceum Los Anjeles, .... 53 " Valdivia, 56 " Melipulli, or Puerto-Montt, . 45 " Ancud, 74 Total, .... 3,384 During the term of the present year (1879) the number of these pupils has reached 4,241. The following have been the branches of instruction : Re- ligion, sacred history, articles of Catholic faith ; Spanish, French, English, German, Italian and Latin grammar; ancient Greek and Roman history; history of the middle ages, modern history, and of America and Chili ; literature and history of literature ; mental and moral philosophy; elemental arithmetic, algebra and geometry ; descriptive and physical geographies, ' cosmography, elemental physics and chemistry, natural history, book-keeping, lineal and landscape drawing, hygiene, commercial course (in the lyceum of Valparaiso). The total of pupils who have studied at the government ex- pense, in the middle class term, and in painting, during the year 1878, is 4,315. The State also sustains two establishments of professional and scientific instruction, applied principally to the producible in- dustries, manual labor and agriculture of the country, and are : The National School of Arts, with 75 pupils inscribed. This number of pupils receives instruction in the following branches : Arithmetic and algebra, . . . . .15 Elemental geometry, rectilineal trigonometry, . 16 Descriptive geometry, 16 Elemental physics, or natural philosophy, . .12 Mechanics, 16 English, 16 Spanish grammar, 16 33 Geography, . . . . . . .16 Religion, ........ 15 History of Chili, . . . . . .15 Machine drawing, . . . . . .59 The School of Agriculture, with 27 students ; a system of in- struction divided in three parts, corresponding to an equal num- ber of years, and it is endowed with a laboratory of agricultural chemistry, a machine apparatus, an observatory, gardens for study, a model vineyard, forest and fruit trees, and a veterinary hospital. Primary instruction, the foundation of the edifice we have just examined, functioned during the year 1878, in the following form: NUMBEK OF PUBLIC AND COMMON SCHOOLS. Males. Females. In the towns, 146 155 In the country, . . . .247 230 Total, . . . .393 385 In all 778 schools, with 1,053 teachers, of which number 269 are assistant teachers ; the number of children on register was 60,571 ; and the branches of education the following : Reading, "Writing, Arithmetic, Catechism, Spanish grammar, Geography, Cosmography, History of Chili, Sacred history, History of America, Drawing, Vocal music. In order to form some idea of the state of primary instruction it is necessary to inspect the data of private teaching. During the year 1878, 563 private schools were in operation, with an attendance of 15,740 pupils, males, and 10,727 females ; total, 26,467. 34 The number of private schools in 1878 has augmented, as well as the number in attendance. The total of scholars in all the schools is, therefore, the fol- lowing : In public schools, In private schools, . 60,571 . 26,467 87,038 The Normal School for training teachers, had in the year 1878, 109 students on register, divided into four sections, studying the following branches : FIRST SECTION. Reading, . . Writing, Spanish grammar, Descriptive geography, Sacred history, . Vocal music, . School-management, . >38 SECOND SECTION. Reading, .... Writing, .... Spanish grammar, Arithmetic, Catechism and religion, History of America and Chili, Vocal music, School-management, 35 THIRD SECTION. Spanish grammar, Arithmetic final, French, .... Geometry and lineal drawing, Physics, .... History of religion, Agriculture, . Hygiene, . Vocal music, School-management, . 29 FOURTH SECTION. Spanish grammar, Cosmography, Physical geography, Chemistry, Natural history, . Agriculture, French, Political constitution, . Lineal drawing, . Vocal music, School-management, . 19 Open to the public, is the National Library, containing 1 75,000 volumes and manuscripts, and 24 others in the capitals of provinces, with 59,460 volumes. A National museum with many specimens of Chilian objects. Three museums of the University : 1st, of mineralogy and geology ; 2d, of metallurgy ; and 3d, of anatomy. 36 A National observatory, at 33 26' S. lat., meridian of Santiago, 6 22' E. Ion. of Washington and 535 metres (1,755 feet) above the Pacific. The State has invested since 1872, the following sums in the development of popular instruction : 1872, $ 908,838 30 1873, 1,142,013 32 1874, 1,197,361 58 1875, 1,116,653 36 1876, 1,225,579 13 1877, 1,123,528 88 1878, . % . 1,004,265 00 IX. ARMY AND NAVY. The navy of Chili consists of two iron-clad frigates, an iron- clad monitor, two wooden steam corvettes, three gun-boats, five armed transports, eight ordinary transports, two steam-tugs and all other elements necessary to the war state of the republic. The crews of these vessels reach 2,960, officers and men, besides a marine artillery of 1,125 strong, officers and men ; a force which has been increased owing to the present war with the re- publics of Peru and Bolivia. The army of the republic, formerly reduced to what was strictly necessary for the service of the frontiers with the Arau- canian Indians and to a disciplined base for the organization of an army of the three arms, which did not exceed 3,000 officers and men, has now been raised to 21,000 strong, officers and men. The reserve corps is made up of 9,000 men, which can be speedily augmented by the national militia, which is ready for any emergency. 37 X. LIGHT-HOUSES AND BUOYS HYDROGRAPHY METEOROLOGY. There is a commission of light-houses and buoys, which superintends this branch of the public service. The office of hydrography works ceaselessly in the development of this im- portant study, and publishes an Annuary and a periodical of hydrographical notices. The central office of meteorology directs, receives and collates the observations which are made by the different observatories established in the republic. These studies are published methodically in the Annuary of that office. There is also, finally, a Central Office of Statistics, for the col- lection and collation of statistical facts and the census of the re- public, which publishes every year an Annuary of those data, and also the census in every ten years. DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICES. I. IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister* Plenipotentiary Francis Solano Asta-Buruaga, at Washington, D. C. Consul of Baltimore, Md. Washington Booth. " Boston, Mass. Horace N. Fisher. " New YorJc } N. Y. Diego do Castro. Philadelphia, Pa. Edward Shippen. Portland, Oreg. Ferdinand G. Ewald. " Port Townsend, Wash. Terr. Charles M. Gerrish. San Francisco, Col. Henry Palacios. II. IN CHILI. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Thomas A. Osborn, at Santiago. Consul of Coquimbo Joseph Grierson. " Talcaguano William Crosby. " Valparaiso Lucius H. Foote. Vice- Consul of Talcaguano S. J. Stauton. Consular Agent of Caldera John C. Morong. * UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000 082 908 5 Univen Soul Lit