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Montt (JORGE former President)

JORGE, former President of Chile; born in 1846. Trained in the navy, he led the fleet under his command to the support of Congress when a break came between it and President Balmaceda at the end of 1890, carrying its members to Iquique, where a new government was created. When in the hostilities which ensued President Balmaceda and his army were defeated in the vicinity of Valparaiso, Señor Montt was chosen as the new president. His régime showed his sincerity as an adherent of constitutional government, and after initiating numerous reforms, including the establishment of the currency on a gold basis and the extension of the powers of local councils, he gave way in 1896 to Señor F. Errazuriz, who had been elected as his presidential successor.