It is the figure of El Cristo[7] of the Andes. It is a monument standing close to a lonely trail, once the highway from Argentina into Chile. It was erected a few years ago by the Republics of Chile and Argentina.
It happened this way:—
The two Republics had disputed for years over the boundary line which passed along the crest of the Andes. Each claimed a large share of valuable territory. Neither would allow the other to settle the boundary line.
Sometimes, the Argentine soldiers, patrolling the frontier, would find the Chilean patrol camping on the disputed ground. The two patrols would have angry words and nearly come to blows. So the bad feeling grew worse until both Republics were ready for war.
Then the Chileans and Argentines remembered that their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, under San Martin and O’Higgins, had fought side by side, and had shed their blood together in the cause of Independence. They could not bring themselves to slaughter each other, for they were brothers.
They agreed to arbitrate. They appealed to England to decide the boundary line for them. King Edward the Seventh sent a commission to the Andes, which surveyed the region to as far south as Cape Horn. The King gave his decision. Thus the boundary question was settled without bloodshed. Though Chile was not quite satisfied, she loyally stood by the King’s decision.
So the conflict was stopped, good feeling returned, and the Republics were saved from the horrors of war.
To commemorate this great event,—the better way of settling a Nation’s quarrel by Arbitration,—the Argentines and Chileans erected El Cristo.
The figure was cast from the metal of old cannon left by the Spanish soldiers when they were driven from the land by O’Higgins and San Martin. It is twenty-six feet high, and is mounted on a huge pedestal. Near it is set up a boundary-marker inscribed on one side Chile, and on the other, Argentina.