Quick Facts
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Esmeralda Affair
Ecuadorian history
Esmeralda Affair, incident in Ecuador in 1895 involving the nominal transfer of ownership of the Chilean warship Esmeralda to Ecuador before the vessel was sold to Japan. The Chilean government used this tactic to maintain a facade of neutrality during the first Sino-Japanese War (1894β95). The public disclosure of this transaction stirred widespread opposition in Ecuador toward Pres. Luis Cordero, which his Liberal opponents used to turn him out of office. As a result, Liberal Eloy Alfaro became president.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking βSign Upβ, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.