Anti-Spanish sentiments are on the rise in…

Anti-Spanish sentiments are on the rise in several South American countries such as Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador.

It is obvious that the Spaniards have no intentions of conquering their former colonies.

However, Peru and its neighbors are suspicious about the possibility of the reestablishment of the Spanish Empire.

For this reason, it is unsurprising that, when the Spanish gunboat Vencedora stops at a Chilean port for coal, President José Joaquín Pérez declares that coal is a war supply that cannot be sold to a belligerent nation.

However, from the Spanish point of view, such an embargo cannot be taken as proof of Chilean neutrality, since two Peruvian steamers had left the port of Valparaiso with weapons and Chilean volunteers to fight for Peru.

In consequence, Vice Admiral José Manuel Pareja takes a hard line and demands sanctions against Chile, even heavier than those imposed upon Peru.

He then takes part of his squadron, composed of four wooden ships, to Chile, while the Numancia and the Covadonga remain to guard Callao.