The New York herald., 1869-02-14
PERU.


Troubles OF the President-His Violent Assault
mn Editor-Financial Dimcuitics-Inter-
nal Improvement Schemes-Naval News.
LIMA, Jan. 90 1869.
In my last correspondence informed the readers
OF the HERALD of the incident which occurred during
the inspection Of battalion Of infantry by the Presi
dent, resulting In the summary dismissal from the
army OF two officers who had openly expressed their
discomfort with the existing government Although
the justice of the action of the President cannot be
denied, yet the manner in which it was executed
gave rise to considerable dissatisfaction among
military men, since no onicer, by the rules OF
the service, be cashiered save by the sentence
OF a court martial, and in this instance the epau-
LET'S of the two Offenders were torn from their
shoulders by q sergeant, in the presence Of the
tire regiment and by the direct order Of the Pres
dent himself. In Peru, whenever dislnterested
person desires to venate his IDEAS the public press
is the medium invariably adopted, and such Is the
liberty allowed that articles aboundng in the most
vulgar and abusive epithets constantly appear.
Captain Odaga, one OF the sufferers In this partcu
lar case, wrote long article in his defence,
assalling the President in very bitter terms.
and urging the want of Justice IN the matter.
and published the document in the news
paper Ell Conaerci0, over his own name.
On the appearance OF this article the President sent
tegui, and the scene that ensued has caused very
general pain to the admirers OF Colonel Balta. Ex-
cited and annoyed by the attacks OF Odaga the
President lost his temper, and went so tar as to
order in file Of musketeers with loaded guns,
to shoot, there ana then, the offending editor.
Had It not been for the Intervention OF some
OF the Ministers and persons present in the
palace at the time there Is no affirming
what would have occurred, for Balta a man
OF terrible passions when aroused, was be-
side himself with rage, and the oficer commanding
| any order into effect Fortunately. however the
Minister OF War, brother OF the President, fgrcibly
interfered, and while some others were remohstrat
with Ra1 lhadf I'm nIif ifnr
room, and the curtain fell. Amunategul, being OF
very high position in the city, has been the object OF
have shielded him. and, moreover, the article was
signed with the name or the writer the editor OF the
paper IN which IL appeared was in no way RESPONSE
bic. The newspapers OF Lima have kept a religious
silence on the matter.
Congress stl pursues It's labor In reference to the
is apparently very Industrious but yet has not
satisfied the public In presenting some scheme by
quer. Congress has under consideration a bill to
empower the Executive to supply the deficit OF
100000 soles existing in the budget covering the
years OF 1859 and 1870, and the Executive will only
have to follow the usual plan OF raising the
country where the expenditures greatly exceed
the receipts and where no great degree OF confidence
exists In the stability OF any government amelio
ration OF the financial condition Is possible by
the exercise OF the strictest economy, and such
measure would so exasperate the pensioners on the
Staae whose name Is Legion, that the remedy would
probably be dangerous than the disease itself.
When the guano disappears Peru Will be In most
farseelng man is adopted and well-arranged and
equitable system Of taxation ee established With
out this there Is no hope.
Nevertheless. Congress Is apparently desrous that
the country should reap in some measure the advan
tages OF her enormous natural wealth before that
treasure leaves for foreign lands Bills have been
passed authorizing the government issue bonds TO
the amount OF 00000 soes, the product to be ap
Piled 10 the construction OF railways connecting the
most important points throughout the republic.
Several OF these projected railways would be very
profitable; others like that from the coast to Are
hama m In vi tf ftap
viii give to portions OF the country always ripe
for revolt. Mr.. Meggs, the enerprising contractor
of this line, Is In Lima. and Is wiling to under
take the construction OF other roads, offering
In some cases to raise the necessary funds himself,
years, together with the government guarantee OF
certain interest on the capital expended Such uni
yersal ,nndence Il placed IN Nr. Meggs, and he so
thoroughly cares out that which he undertakes,
that y Is more than probable that his offer will be
Willingly accepted by the government and endorsed
On the adjournment OF Congress. towards the end
o. TINS month, permanent commission, composed
which last until the next session OF Congress in Juy
i 1870. This commission has been already chosen
anu y consldered generally satisfactory. Almost all
ernment. or rataer 70 the Ministers now In Colonel
Balta's Cabinet, and their influence is such that the
/ probability Of a change OF ministry is irnmnent
| Such movement would certainly Increase the
popularity OF Colonel Balta, since the programme
issued by the present Cabinet accepted gladly by the
people, has not been carried into effect aud dlscon
| tent Is general. The inhabitants OF the southern
districts, ruined by the earthquake OF August have
no time TO devote 10 political affairs, and that most
dangerous section OF the republic IS occupied with
the rebuilding OF their houses and the renovation OF
| their estates.
Tue country generally seems quiet but popular
movements IN Peru resemble those terrible convul-
sions which alict this Continent ana appear when
least they expected, IN such force as 10 leave q
sad memory behind.
The health OF the city is satisfactory, although
several cases OF yellow fever have appeared, yet
their character has not been considered dangerous.
rhe weather Is fearfully hot. thermometer standing
at eighty-two degrees In the shade figures almost
unprecedented here at this time Of the year.
rhe United states steamer Tuscar0ra lef for Pana-
ma on the 18th TO bring men 20 the remaining ships
/ M the squadron The Dacotah IL still In port.
Loss Of the Arica-Attack ON nm Editor