It is simply impossible to make out what is happening
in Chili, the parties lie so hard. According to the correspondent of the Times, however, who is in Santiago, President Balmaceda, whom he describes as a princely person, entirely honest in his view of his own prerogatives, and very popular in the capital, controls 30,000 troops, and all Chili except the nitrate districts. He intends, if he wins, to punish his enemies by sweeping confiscations. He is so confident, that he will resign on the expiration of his term, and will be succeeded by a friend, Don Vicuna, whose wealth protects him from any accusation of dependence. On the other hand, the Parlia- mentarians, who have elected a provisional Government, allege that the whole country is with them, that the President can raise no money, and that the Army is eager to revolt. The event is hanging, in some degree, on the ability of the in- surgent fleet to obtain supplies. The insurgents have plenty of money, but neither the United States nor Mexico will sell them munitions of war, and a vessel, the Itata,' which re- cently carried off some surreptitiously supplied from. New York, is being hunted by the United States cruiser ' Charleston.' The balance of probabilities seems to be, that when the three Republics, America, France, and Mexico, are strong enough in Chilian waters, their " mediation " will be exchanged for a dictatorial intervention on the basis of a general amnesty, followed by a really free election. Mediation is not, however, at present accepted by the Presidential party.
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