No. 230.
Mr. Gibbs
to Mr. Fish.
Lima, Peru, August 21, 1876. (Received September 12.)
Sir: Referring to my dispatches 77, 81, 82, and 83, I have the honor to inform yon of the events of the last few days. That you may understand [Page 429] them more clearly, I will give some ideas of the political situation of the country.
Up to July, 1872, Peru, like most of the South American republics had been governed by military men or parties, frequent revolutions were the results, the barracks being the focus of the different transformations in the changes of military power.
But the people becoming more enlightened by education and a better system that had developed itself in the country, an attempt was made in the election of 1871 to place some person in the presidential chair who was not a military man and who had been educated to the life of a civilian. Mr. Pardo was chosen, and the mass of the educated and thinking part of the community joined, and he was elected to take his seat in August, 1872; this was the formation of the party called civilists, in contradistinction of the military adherents. This party made their last attempt to revolutionize the country headed by the Guturrez brothers, which ended so disastrously for them in July, 1872. Since then the “civilists” have had full power in the country. Through their assistance General Prado was elected, and they have a large majority in the senate and Chamber of Deputies, consisting of the intelligence of the country, being very liberal in all questions affecting the welfare of the nation.
Mr. Pardo carried out the idea of his party by reducing the power of the military, cutting down the army, diminishing the number of the officers, and placing many on the retired list of “indefinidos” at half pay. A judgment may be formed of their power from the following note from the last report of the army list in active service and half pay:
| Field Marshal | 1 |
| Generals of division | 5 |
| Generals of brigade | 21 |
| Colonels | 74 |
| Lieutenant-colonels | 404 |
| Majors | 470 |
| Captains | 544 |
| Lieutenants | 577 |
| Ensigns | 449 |
| Chief Surgeons | 31 |
| First class | 21 |
| Second class | 15 |
| Paymasters-general | 4 |
| Paymasters, assistant | 10 |
| Clerks | 3 |
| Total | 2,629 |
Which is nearly as many in numbers as form the file of the Peruvian army at present.
Some futile attempts were made during the administration of Mr. Pardo, but were crushed out immediately. This great number of officials who have been accustomed to live on the state is a standing menace against the prosperity and peace of this country. I cannot find any patriotism in any of their attempts, being solely guided by personal and ambitious ends, using every means to regain their lost power. Unfortunately the pecuniary state of the country and the poverty of the treasury have thrown a great many people out of employment, who are discontented and, like all of this Spanish race thoughtless to causes and effects, think that the government should remedy all.
From 1868 to 1872, during Colonel Balta’s administration, was the period of extravagance and the squandering of the products of the guano-beds; no economy, no thought of the future. Guano was thought to be inexhaustible, [Page 430] and the demand was supposed to be equal to the supply. When the civilists came into power the product of the guano-deposits had been contracted for up to 1877; no money in the treasury, and a large civil and military list to be maintained. Mr. Pardo’s administration had many evils to contend against; looking at the history of these last four years impartially, I think it has been patriotic and, to a certain extent, successful.
General Prado, on accession to power, formed a cabinet that was composed of three civilists, Messrs. Garcia y Garcia, Bonavides, and Coranibar. Arenas, president of the council, was of the former opposition of Mr. Pardo; Mr. Burtamante, of the war department, was considered independent, being taken from the army for his knowledge of the detail of military affairs.
On the 8th instant, about thirty-nine members of the Congress, “civilists,” met at the house of one of their number and held a meeting or caucus.
The appointment of Dr. Arenas as president of the council or cabinet was the cause of this reunion. The idea discussed was that, as the civilists held a large majority in senate and chamber, it was not politic to take from the ranks of their antagonists a person to fill the important position of minister of justice; they declared unanimously against it. The discussion afterwards, what position they should take, lasted some time; some of the most ultra recommended that they should take strong grounds against the government; other opinions prevailed; it was decided to remain quiet and watch events, not to oppose the government, only when they or their policy were attacked.
This meeting caused a great deal of discussion in the press, two of the opposition papers, “La Patria,”and the church paper, “La Sociedad,” have attacked the “civilists” with great force and with rather incendiary articles, that have fanned the flames of trouble and disorder.
On Tuesday, 15, a meeting was held to protest against the action of the thirty-nine deputies. This meeting adjourned to the principal plaza or square; about 500 persons were assembled; strong protests and resolutions were read and received with acclamations by the meeting, and it adjourned quietly; the press during the week followed up with articles pro and con, which did not tend to pacify.
A meeting was advertised to take place yesterday, Sunday, the 20th; two calls were issued, one to the “fraternity and military union,” to be held at San Francisco square; the other to the “electoral college of Lima,” to be held at Bolivar square at 2 o’clock. Both meetings went to the main square, front of the cathedral, which has a wide space or esplanade in front, with steps to the street; from the steps the orators spoke to the assembly, some three thousand people, haranguing against the action of the thirty-nine deputies, the “civilists,” and Mr. Pardo’s administration; accusing it of being a ring for the benefit of his friends and of robbing the nation. The speeches were incendiary in character, and the speakers who attempted to counsel moderation and common sense were not allowed to proceed. In one corner of the square are the rooms of the “union club,” being social, and comprising most of the young men of wealth, position, and intelligence. Many of them are supposed to be “civilists,” but in no way is it a political club.
The speakers pointed to this place and alluded to it in marked terms of anger and accusation. The greater part of the speeches were demagogical and inflammatory, and I foresaw that trouble and riot would be the consequence; about 3 o’clock the mob commenced to tear up the small cobble-stones with which the greater part of the square is paved; [Page 431] and in a few moments every casement-window of the balconies of the club-house was broken; then the crowd cried death to Pardo, and started for the Ex-President’s house; some friends forewarned him, and the large gates to the entrance were closed in time, the mob venting their fury in yells and destroying the windows.
This is the man that on the 2d of August was accompanied in triumph to his residence with flowers thrown on him from the balconies as he passed. The mob went to the office of the newspaper “El Comercio,” organ of the late government, and broke the windows, besides doing other damage.
I have heard of several being shot by the police, some four killed and wounded during the attack on Mr. Pardo’s house.
About 8 o’clock, when all seemed quieted down, a mob went to the store of two American citizens, Messrs. Wexel & DeGress, agents and dealers in arms and ammunition, broke it open, and in a very short time sacked it; they are large dealers, their principal house being in New York, having branches here, Mexico, and Chili.
At 11 o’clock all was quiet. I came through the streets at that hour, and noticed that squads of troops were stationed at the different banks, and a squadron of cavalry stationed in the main square. There has been more or less excitement during this day, but no overt acts committed, so far as I have heard.
In the Chamber of Deputies a vote of censure on the ministry was proposed and referred to a committee. In the afternoon a proclamation was made by the President, of which I inclose copy and translation.
At this hour, 8 p.m. all is quiet; stores and shops are all closed; troops under arms in squads on the streets; the main square is closed to the public, and a proclamation of the subprefect of the city forbids all gathering in groups on the streets.
I am, &c.,