Spain and the Pacific Republics Sign an Armistice in Washington

Spain's seizure of the Chincha Islands in 1864 led to war with the Pacific republics. After combat ended, uncertainty about renewed hostilities affected ships, commerce, and purchases in neutral countries. Washington had already handled disputes about arms procurement. [3] [1]

Spain and the Pacific republics had stopped fighting in 1866, but their representatives still had to settle the diplomatic consequences of the war. On 11 April 1871, they met at the Department of State in Washington under Hamilton Fish's mediation and signed a general armistice. Spain's Mauricio López Roberts and Peru's Manuel Freyre joined representatives of Chile and Ecuador. [1]

Freyre also carried powers from Bolivia. He explained that he still needed his own government's consent to use them and therefore acted for Bolivia subject to confirmation. The agreement required three years' notice before renewed hostilities, delivered through the United States. It also removed wartime restrictions on the belligerents' trade with neutral countries while leaving peace negotiations open. [1]

The signatories provided for later exchanges of ratification in Washington, with extensions if governments could not meet the initial deadline. Bolivia's constituent assembly approved the agreement on 8 July. [1] [2]

Related Diplomats

1. Manuel Freyre y Santa Cruz [1]
2. Mauricio López Roberts [1]
3. Hamilton Fish [1]

Related Reading

• Peru and the United States
• Spain and the United States
• Republic of Peru
• Kingdom of Spain