Thomas O. Osborn to Miguel Luis Amuñátegu, February 25, 1880

No. 112. Mr. Osborn to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: Under date of the 3d instant the minister of war and marine issued an order to the chief officer of the Chili squadron regarding the course to be pursued in the further prosecution of the war, an extract from which, with a translation in English, I herewith inclose.

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It will be seen that this government proposes to adopt more vigorous measures than it has heretofore had recourse to in the prosecution of the war, and that to that end it directs the bombardment and destruction of all towns on the Peruvian coast which have prepared cannons for defense, and the destruction of all moles and other property in the various ports of the enemy used in the loading and discharging of cargo.

To say nothing of the misery and suffering which would necessarily ensue from a rigid execution of this instruction, it occurred to me that neutral rights and interests were liable to become very seriously jeopardized by it, and I therefore suggested to my colleagues of the diplomatic corps that it might be well to consider the propriety of addressing the Chilian Government on the subject. The result was a meeting of the corps, and, after a full discussion, an understanding that each representative should address the Chilian Government concerning the interpretation to be placed on the order in question. A copy of my note is herewith inclosed.

You will observe that I have urged that bombardment should only be resorted to as against towns which possess some importance in a military sense, and that even then sufficient notice should be given to enable non-combatants and neutrals to remove themselves and their property from danger. You will also have observed that I have protested against the right of Chili to destroy the moles and other means of loading and discharging cargo on the enemy’s coast, except where Such destruction appears to be necessary in view of the military situation.

An important fact in connection with this subject is that a very large proportion of the population, and even a larger proportion of the property, in the various towns on this coast, whether in Chili or Peru, is foreign; and it is upon these people and upon these interests that the severity of this measure must, in a great degree, fall, if its execution is insisted upon. Many of these people are Americans. If the government should listen to my suggestions, much ruin would be avoided, and I am not without hope of such a result.

My note is now under consideration at the foreign office, as are also those of the other ministers, and I anticipate a reply soon.

I have, &c.,

Extract from order of minister of war and marine, February 3, 1880.

So, then, now that it is manifest that the enemy did not duly appreciate the humanity of our conduct, I believe that our hostilities must he conducted with greater severity. In virtue of this, all towns on the coast that are protected by cannons should he bomharded and destroyed; all railroads that are serving the enemy in the transportation of troops and elements of war should he fired upon; and all moles and “boats employed in the ports of the enemy in loading or discharging cargo should he destroyed. In a word, our standard of conduct hereafter must he to do the enemy all possible injury, without neglecting anything that is authorized by the law of nations, until it is made to feel the necessity of obtaining peace. Any other course will result in prolonging the war without limit, and will greatly increase the sacrifices which the country is making to sustain it.

If heretofore it was believed that great severity in conducting our hostilities was, until a certain point, unnecessary; now we have sufficient data to believe that we shall not oblige Peru to lay down her arms except by reducing her to absolute want, and making her feel, in the property and interests of her inhabitants, all the burden of the war.