of over two millions, a rapidly
increasing revenue, ruled by a government that was firm and progressive
and that enjoyed the confidence of all classes, Chile was well equipped
for the struggle with Peru that began in 1879.

Close of the war with Peru.

The war of 1879-82 between Chile and Peru is the subject of a separate
article (see CHILE-PERUVIAN WAR). By the beginning of 1881 the war had
reached a stage when the final struggle was close at hand. On the 13th
of January of that year the Chilean forces under command of General
Baquedano attacked the entrenched positions of the Peruvians at daybreak
in the vicinity of Chorillos, a village some few miles from Lima, and
forming the outer line of defence for the capital. After a stubborn
fight the day ended in victory for the attacking forces; but the losses
on both sides were great, and on the following day negotiations for
peace were attempted by the representatives of the foreign powers in
Lima, the object being to avoid, if possible, any further bloodshed.
This attempt to end the conflict proved, however, abortive, and on the
15th of January at 2 P.M. hostilities recommenced in the neighbourhood
of Miraflores. After severe fighting for some four hours the Chileans
again proved victorious, and drove the Peruvians from the second line of
defence back upon the city of Lima. Lima was now at the mercy of the
Chileans, and on the 17th of January a division of 4000 men of all arms,
under the command of General Cornelio Saavedra, was sent forward to
occupy the Peruvian capital and restore order within the town limits. A
portion of the Chilean forces was shortly afterwards withdrawn from
Peru, and the army of occupation remaining in the conquered country was
in charge of Admiral Patricio Lynch, an officer who had been specially
promoted for distinguished services during the war. President Anibal
Pinto of Chile now set about to find means to conclude a treaty of peace
with Peru, but his efforts in this direction were frustrated by the
armed resistance offered in the country districts to the Chilean
authorities by the remainder of the Peruvian forces under command of
General Caceres. So matters continued--the Chileans administering on the
seaboard and in the principal towns, the Peruvians maintaining a
guerilla warfare in the mountainous districts of the interior. In
September 1881 the term of office of president Pinto expired, and he was
succeeded in the post of chief execu