No. 223.
Mr. Gibbs
to Mr. Fish.
Lima, Peru, October 20, 1875. (Received November 13.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the election for President of the republic commenced on Sunday, the 17th, and by law supposed to continue for eight days, is virtually over, General Mariano Ignacio Prado being the successful candidate. It is difficult to understand the politics of the country, except by a long residence; there does not appear to be any particular principles at stake, nor, as in our country, party platforms, but merely personal ambition. The two candidates were General Mariano Ignacio Prado, who had filled the presidential chair previously, during the years 1866–’67, being placed in power by a revolution in December, 1865, and ousted by another in January, 1868, and Rear-Admiral Lizordo Montero. Mr. Prado is supposed to have been sustained by the party in power to-day, Rear-Admiral Lizardo Montero being the candidate of the opposition. From what I could observe during my short residence here since my arrival, I should judge that the adherents of Prado were more numerous in the higher classes, and composed of the more respectable part of the population.
To an American citizen, the elections are apparently decided more by force than by suffrage. The tables or polling-booths are placed in open spaces, or squares, one in each parish, and the party who takes the booth and holds it is the successful one. It was well-known that both parties had been arming for some time past; conflicts had been numerous and frequent between the clubs of the rival candidates, causing bloodshed and death. As the day of the taking of the booths approached, fears were entertained of a bloody strife, and great alarm existed among all classes.
On the afternoon of the 16th all stores were closed, and the streets nearly deserted; the various clubs were formed, armed, and placed in buildings near the polling-tables, to begin the strife during the night, so as to have them by daylight. About midnight, firing could be heard in various parts of the city, which lasted until about 6 in the morning, except in the parish of Santa Ana, where the contest was held out until about 10 a.m.; the adherents of Prado had taken all the polling-tables, and by this act he was declared the successful candidate. By telegrams from various parts of the republic, up to this date, it appears that the same result was attained in the great majority of provinces heard from. In Lima the number of deaths officially given is 25, and wounded some 60 or more. The military and police arrangements of the government to preserve order were most admirably carried out; if they had not, I think the loss of life would have been immense, and the strife would have lasted many days. All establishments, banks, hotels, and stores were closed; great parts of the inhabitants were in their houses, with closed doors; and the city had the appearance of a place afflicted and abandoned during two days, the 17th and 18th. Yesterday all was going on as usual. No attacks on persons or property have taken place; the bloodshed was only between the political clubs of either candidate.
I have, &c.,