CHILI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1361, 27 March 1868, Page 3

CHILI.

We (Sydney Herald) are in rcceipt of papers from Valparaiso up to the lGtli of November Inst, and from the 2lercur!o del Vapor we extract the following items of intelligence :— The debates in tlie Cliilian Congress on the foreign policy of the Government of that State were still continued, and appear to Lave been conducted with, considerable acrimony by tlie opponents of tlie Government. The Opposition were angrily impeaching the conduct of tlie Administration. The Government did not choose to offer any fresh explanations, and refuse to make any material modifications of their policy, leaving to the opposition members the responsibility of insisting upon war with Spain if they conceive it to be indispensible. The country seems to be much divided upon the question. Senor Yicuna Mackenna, one of the legislators, had made a remakable speech, but, on the whole, the debates were neither interesting nor significant. The ~Mermrio (its fortnightly summary) says : —" The events taking place in Peru have arrived in time to complicate the situation in the deplorable manner. When two nations uuito their destinies in an affair of such magnitude as the cause sustained by Chile and Peru, it is impossible that the convulsions of one should not affect the other. This influence falls at present in the scale of peace. People ask whether Spain will not take advantage of this opportunity to recommence hostilities and indemnity herself/or pastinsuccess.

" However, we are not of that opinion. Notwithstanding the movement of the Spanish squadron which was announced —it was expected at Montevideo on the 20th or 25th of October, the Government and Press of Spain display an ardent desire for peace. But the Spanish Government is waiting to pluck the fruit when quite ripe." Befcrring to an angry debate which had taken place in the Chamber of Deputies, the Jilcrcurio makes the following remarks : —" The Minister of the Interior, on that occasion observed that the Administration could not consistently hold out political office to any other than men who inspired it with confidence, but that far from considering the opposition made to it as a crime, it had the highest respect for the liberty of the Press, and for the tribune.—We do not think there has been a Government in Chile against which the same charge has not been made. However short a time the same men may remain in power, they behold themselves inevitably impelled to the same proclivities by the vices characteristic of our imperfect republican system."

The reputed wealth of the Mejillones Islands in guano was attracting great attention from the Chilian Government and the Press. Senor Ignacio Domeyko, the Sector of the University, had examined samples sent to Valparaiso, and had declared that the Mejillones are far richer than the Chinchas in phosphate, their proportion being at times more than from 76 to 78 percent. The guano of the Mejillones contains, he says, less moisture than the other, but the proportion of nitrogen varies between 2 and 8 per thousand.

Captain Simpson, of the British barque Corouella, liad sent the following communication to the office of the Mercurio, which we reproduce for the interest which it may possess tor the scientific readers. Unfortunately the date is not given. "We, had a great many calms and contrary winds, but particularly a strong wind accompanied by seven shocks of earthquakes at about one hundred miles to the southwest of tho island of Juan Fernandez. For two hours after these shocks we sailed through water as white as milk. We tried tho depth of the water, but could not find bottom at 100 feet below the surface. We saw a great number of dead fish, and a vast number of birds on all sides. I believe that had we been 10 miles nearer land, the shock would have been much more violent, and would have occasioned some damage to tho vessel.

The war in Paraguay continues. Letters dated tho 19 th of October reached Buenos Ayres, stating that the cholera had abated at Tuyuti, and Tuyu Cue. It was still raging amongst the troops of General Lopez.