The tide of battle turned; Santiago and Valparaiso capitulated; and the presidential cause was lost.

Balmaceda, who had taken refuge in the Argentina legation, committed suicide.

But the Balmacedists, who were included in a general amnesty, still maintained themselves as a party to advocate in a peaceful fashion the principles of their fallen leader.
Chile had its reputation for stability well tested in 1910 when the executive changed four times without the slightest political disturbance.

According to the constitution, the officer who takes the place of the President in case of the latter's death or disability, though vested with full authority, has the title of Vice President only.
It so happened that after the death of the President two members of the Cabinet in succession held the vice presidency, and they were followed by the chief magistrate, who was duly elected and installed at the close of the year.

In 1915, for the first time since their leader had committed suicide, one of the followers of Balmaceda was chosen President--by a strange coalition of Liberal-Democrats, or Balmacedists, Conservatives, and Nationalists, over the candidate of the Radicals, Liberals, and Democrats.