CHILI FRIENDLY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1914, Page 2

CHILI FRIENDLY

ENTHUSIASTIC FOR THE ALLIES.

Captain Glasson, of the steamer Inverkip, which arrived at Newcastle (New South Wales) from Valparaiso last week, stated in the course of an interview that the feeling in Chili is intensely in favour of Great Britain ,and her Allies.

To show that,. he said that right throughout the navy of the Republic the men are anxious to assist England. ■ The general feeling of the population was opposed to Germany, and every bit of news favourable to the Allies was devoured with eagerness and • proclaimed with great enthusiasm. While the Inverkip was at Valparaiso the steamer Orduna called there and took away 600 French reservists, and as she steamed round the bay she was greeted with rousing cheers from numerous craft, while German officers walked the decks of their own vessels enraged at the display. The Chihan Government showed its views by prohibiting the use of wireless and sealing down the apparatus on board ships. Theron was*a rumour that German merchants in Valparaiso had been sending cipher wireless messages to vessels beyond- the three miles limit. Captain Glasson said what struck him more than anything was the effect the war had on Chili, a country so far away from the scene of hostilities, • and in no way connected with the war. It was impossible to do business with the banks, Who give the rate, of exchange, but beyond that they , would not go. Business generally was. at. a. standstill. German interests had .been very, extensive in Chili, but Britain.is now. cutting into all branches of trade. Vessels loaded, or partly loaded, with nitrate from German firms have been compelled to make the latter take re-delivery. The fourmasted barque Jordan Hill had loaded 3000 tons of nitrate, and had to return it. A large steamer, with 7000 tons, had to do the same. There were eight or nine German steamers and half-a-dozen sailing vessels,, some loaded, others partly loaded.

When the Inverkip left the German steamer Seydlitz, which cleared out from Sydney at the outbreak of war, arrived at Valparaiso, having made a fast run of twenty days.. She was anchored in the bay, and her bullion was sent ashore. She was being searched for guns, and her captain was told that if he had any, and did not give them up, she would have to leave.