The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-11
PERU.


ions had not been made public
PERU.
Colonization of the Amazon Tcrritory-Cuba-
General News.
LIMA June 81, $780,
The decree concerning the colonization OF the
Amazonian districts belonging to Peru, OF which
sent translation TO the HERALD on the 18th ult
has created quite a sensation in Lima. Peruvans
still imbued with that supersitious spirit OF be-
lief respecting Unknown countries that induced their
Spanish forefathers confde so implicitly
in the Ell Dorado and Atalantis fables; and the
extraordinary reports of the fertility and mineral
wealth OF the region under consideration that have
from time to time reached Lima, have innamed the
public mind with curiosity and eagerness to visit
the abiding place OF such untold riches. 1t must be
remembered that the country bordering the rivers
Which form the Peruvian head waters OF the Amazon
is for the most part UNEMPLOYED and the superficial
accounts OF travellers, who, like Herndon and others
only travelled the main streams, do not by any
means give an accurate account OF this supposed
new California. The Jesuit missionaries, in years
gone by, penetrated to the interior OF the wilder
ness, but unhappily their variations vague as
to give no reliable information concerning the real
resources OF the section. Meetings have been held
here to discuss the advantages likely to accrue from
an acceptance Of the offers Of tie government to COL
onists mentioned in the decree have already cited.
but only one family has appeared and declared its
intention to avail itself Of these prospective bene
IT'S The Peruvian newspapers are unanimously Of
opinion that the Amazonian regions can never be
settled by the plan proposed by the government,
since from the year 1885 the same idea has been
moored by almost every administration and clearly
shown that tine desired object can only be accom-
plished by private enterprise. The government OF
Colonel Prado arranged contract with two mer-
chants OF Lima, granting the latter the Of forty
soes for every immigrant landed In Peru and oblig-
ing itself to transport them to the neighborhO0d OF
Iau. The plan worked quite successfully, and
number Of industrious Germans were introduced
into the country, uniting with the nOurishing Ger
fero the IN OF winch we're to
Peru nearly ten years ago. under similar conditions,
and are now in an advanced state OF wealth and
Mr.. A. d. Piper, the president Of Californian
company formed with the object OF cOonizng the
country speak OF, IL now In Lima, and has made
the following very advantageous offer the govern.
ment:-hls company, composed OF some OF the
wealthiest and most influential men Of California
Amazon to build workshops. establish regular steam
navigation between the Peruvian head waters OF
enter into large mining enterprises, and IN q word,
settle the country, II the government OF Peru VIII
borders OF the river Ucayali, one Of the chief anu
ents OF the Amazon, from the rise Of the first named
stream to ITS junction with the latter Our Minister
here, General Hovey interested himself IN this
would bring to Peru, but the government,
eguers aud dreading some conflict with Brazil near
whose boundaries the district sought for les refused
the Application: since tnaa t refusal however, Mr.,
force OF public opinion in his favor and the failure OF
the government plan and it may be tnat his efforts
inaccurate typographical knowledge we have con-
corning this portion OF Peru Mr. Piper bases the
the climate Of mat section is unparalleled as regards
health, the mountains must, from their geOlOgi-
cal formation, abound In valuable minerals; the
valleys virgin SOIL must necessarily be fertile; valu-
able woods abound IN the forest: the Quna
tree grows IN those ATTITUDES, and estab-
formed on system of mutual interest and
advantage could export these very important pro.
ducts at small cost, ana eventually become one Of
the weaithest organizations OF the kind known.
These Dement'S are thoroughly appreciated by the
public press ana by popular opinion here; but the
territory such Is the present state OF question
which, while naturally Interests us here as regards
aa ia 9hs ses us WSsre cs
money making scheme Is the object OF cOnsidera
ton.
A short tine since the government sent Mr.. John
". Nystrom, now 10 the service Of Peru, but for
merly occupying high position In the Construction
Bureau Of our own navy, TO the Amazonan country,
backed by "A squadon OF troopers and aided by SCI
entiHc STAFF TO endeavor to collect really
Trustworthy data concerning. the district; The
failed In principal Object-that or traversing
the wilds, the Indians hostile, cruel and
nDallsc In their taste, opposed the march or the
party and frightened It's members into retreat.
Not that the retreat was without cause for In the
nineteenth century 1t Is not pleasant thing to oher
ones life up Tor an uncertainty with the certainty
or being made y highly seasoned fricasee for the
satisfaction OF the aborigines. One advantage how
ever, was derived from the Journey IL was con-
| cusively proved that hfty-nve leagues from Lima,
the head waters Of the Amazon, in Peruvian tern
tory navigable for light draft and sur
mounting this short land transit the interOceapc
communication would be completely feasible. This
| has stimulated the projection OF the railway from
Lima to 1auli, the point referred TO.
The Cuban question In Peru remains in sfdtu quo.
After an immense number OF meetings., professions
ac.. accompanied by the inevitable spread eagle
speeches incident TO such OCCASIONS subscription
IN favor OF the struggling patriots was opened by
the students vi san Marcos but as yet the sum col
lected Is very incOnsiderabie. The object OF Mr..
Vaicri, the cuban envoy In visiting Peru, was moi
only TO obtain the recognition or the patriots az bel
iiRerents but also TO endeav0r TO persuade the Peru.
government 10 loan the celebrated monitors TO
the cause VI CUBA. This would probably have been
granted had IL not been for the fact that Mr. Garcia
the honor OF his nation that aggressive act should
l be committed by these vessels their VOYAGE ia
Peru, condition exacted by the Department OF
state in consideration OF the neutral position held
and tue PacAe republics. Mr.. VaIeri mas not, conse
quenty been able To attain his desire. The govern
menb Is willing to help the patriots, but IL rather I'm
I a quandary a. now TO accomplish the wish.
| Nothing further OF general interest has occurred
since my last communication. The Indian nsurrec-
ton at Canete, OF which mention has been already
made, was suppressed without blOodsned by the
government troops, and the obnoxious proprietor OF
the estate imperial will soon enter into negotiations
| with his aboriginal enemies for lasting peace.