neutralidad sino concurso efectivo en acto de conquista, hace aún más evidente su inhabilitación.

La cláusula tercera del Tratado estatuye que expirado el plazo de los diez años un "plebiscito decidirá en votación popular" si el territorio de las provincias de Tacna y Arica queda definitivamente del dominio y soberanía de Chile ó si continúa siendo parte del territorio peruano.

V. E. se digna suponer que la “ voluntad popular" requerida es la de todos los vecinos; inclusive la de los extranjeros que han radicado sus intereses y constituído su familia en las localidades á cuya prosperidad contribuyen con labor perseverante y fecunda.

Si exacta fuese la consecuencia deducida de la última aseveración, bastaría ésta para que se les reconociera derechos políticos.

Desde luego, tal teoría infringe la de la legislación chilena que les veda aún la actuación municipal.

En el vecino extranjero, se presume la inestablilidad; el deseo de regreso á la Patria de la que no se ha desvinculado, con la nueva familia y la fortuna afuera adquirida.

En el Tratado de Turin, se estipuló que para la transferencia se tomaría en cuenta “la voluntad de las poblaciones." El reglamento para el plebiscito en Niza, dispone en su articulo

not only a violation of neutrality but an effective aid in the act of conquest, makes even more evident their disqualification.

The third clause of the treaty establishes that on the expiration of the period of 10 years "a plebiscite will decide by popular vote" whether the territory of the Provinces of Tacna and Arica shall remain definitely under the dominion and sovereignty of Chile or whether it will continue being part of the Peruvian territory.

Your excellency is good enough to suppose that the "popular will " required is that of all the inhabitants, including that of the foreigners who have rooted their interests and established their families in the locality to whose prosperity they contribute with persevering and fruitful labor.

If the deduction from this last observation were exact, this would be sufficient for the bestowal of political rights upon them.

At present such a theory would infringe upon that of Chilean legislation which forbids them participation even in municipal affairs.

In the foreign resident, instability may be presumed; the desire to return to the homeland whose ties have not been broken, with the new family and the new fortune acquired while away.

In the treaty of Turin, it is stipulated that for the transfer shall be taken into account "the will of the people." The regulation for the plebiscite in Nice is set forth in ar

El

En el Tratado de Viena también se estipuló la transferencia "bajo reserva del consentimiento de las poblaciones debidamente consultadas." reglamento para el plebiscito "en las provincias italianas libertadas de la ocupación austriaca" dispone en su artículo 5o.: "En los días señalados para la votación todos los italianos de dichas provincias que hayan cumplido 21 años."

En el Tratado de París, así mismo, se estipuló la transferencia "con la expresa reserva del consentimiento del pueblo de San Bartolomé," y el Rey de Suecia dispuso: "todo hombre de la población de la isla, en el goce de sus derechos civiles y mayor de edad, puede tomar parte en el plebiscito."

Se creyó necesaria una aclaratoria y la dió como sigue el Ministro de Negocios Extranjeros del monarca cesionista: "el sentido es, naturalmente, que sólo deben votar los súbditos suecos."

En todos aquellos reglamentos, concordantes con los Tratados que pactaron el consentimiento de los pueblos ó poblaciones, se menciona

ticle 4: "There shall be admitted to vote all those citizens who are at least 21 years of age, who belong by birth or origin to the earldom of Nice; and for the action in Savoy it sets forth, also in article 4: "There shall be admitted to vote all the citizens who are at least 21 years of age born in Savoy or out of Savoy, of Savoyan parents who inhabit the district."

In the treaty of Vienna also is stipulated the transfer "under condition of the consent of the people duly consulted." The regulation for the plebiscite "in the Italian Provinces liberated by the Austrian occupation," sets forth in article 5: "On the days designated for the voting all Italians of said Provinces who have completed 21 years."

In the treaty of Paris, likewise, the transfer is stipulated "with the express condition of the consent of the people of St. Bartholomew," and the King of Sweden set forth: "Every man of the population of the island, in the enjoyment of civil rights and having attained his majority, can take part in the plebiscite." An explanation was believed necessary, and it was given as follows by the minister of foreign affairs of the ceding monarch: "The sense is, naturally, that only Swedish subjects may vote."

In all those regulations, in accordance with the treaties which pledged the consent of the peoples or populations, there is mentioned always the

Cuarto. En todo lo que no sea contrario á las presentes bases, Chile podria aceptar, si el Perú lo prefiere, las estipulaciones del protocolo Billinghurst-Latorre.

Contrapropuesta Peruana

Son necesarias las siguientes modificaciones en los cuatro puntos que contiene el memorándum del señor encargado de negocios de Chile:

Primero.- La Junta directiva encargada de organizar el plebiscito comenzará á funcionar en el término de tres meses contados á partir del día en que se firme el protocolo plebiscitario.

Segundo. Podrán tomar parte en la votación, que será pública, todos los peruanos y chilenos que reunan los siguientes requisitos:

a) - Veinte y un años de edad; b)- Residencia en el territorio por lo menos á partir del 1° de julio de 1907.

Podrán también tomar parte los nacidos en el territorio de Tacna y Arica que se hallen presentes en el momento de la votación, si previamente se hubiesen inscrito par tal objeto.

No podrán votar los empleados pú

b) A minimum residence of six months.

Third. To Chile shall belong the presidency both of the directing board and of the boards of registration and reception, which shall be composed of three voting members, to wit: One Chilean, one Peruvian, and one neutral designated by the foreign Consuls of Tacna or by a friendly nation.

Fourth. In all matters not contrary to the present bases, Chile may accept, if Peru so prefers, the stipulations of the Billinghurst-Latorre protocol.

Peruvian Counterproposal

The following modifications are necessary in the four points contained in the memorandum of the Chargé d'Affaires of Chile:

the army or police force on duty in said provinces shall not be allowed

to vote.

Third. The directing board shall be composed of three voting members, to wit: a Peruvian, a Chilean, and a neutral designated by a friendly nation. The presidency shall belong

the neutral. The boards for the registration and for the reception of votes shall also be composed of one Peruvian delegate, one Chilean, and one neutral. The presidency of these boards shall also belong to the neutral delegate.

Fourth. The directing board shall designate the places where the registration and reception boards are to operate.

On all other points of detail the Billinghurst-Latorre protocol shall gov

ern.

Observations

First.-Peru is disposed to accept arbitration in order to settle any differences of opinion that may not be reconcilable.

Second.-Peru accepts the vote of the Chileans in order to furnish evidence of her desire to reach an agreement, but she does not abandon the theory which she has always held that the exclusive right belongs to the natives of Tacna and Arica. Therefore, if an agreement should not come about, the present concession must not be considered as a final recognition.

Third. In judging the proposal of Peru, the fact must be taken into ac