§ MR. BAXTERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been called to the very serious loss of life and destruction to property caused by the war between Chili and Peru, and if Her Majesty's Government, especially as British interests are deeply involved, have considered whether it would be advisable by an offer of arbitration or friendly mediation to make at least an attempt to bring the conflict to a close?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the injury occasioned to trade by the continuance of the unfortunate war now pending between Chili and Peru; and they would be glad, both on that and other grounds, to see it brought to a speedy conclusion. Such friendly overtures as they have hitherto been able to make with this object have, I regret to say, been ineffectual; but they have already been, and are still, in communication with other Powers on the subject, and should any favourable opportunity occur of offering their friendly mediation with any probability of success they will not fail to take advantage of it.