The New York herald., 1874-09-15
p Z r u.
Attempted Assassination Of
the President.
A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.
Fired at from Three PIaces--In-
dignation Of the People.
HISTORY OF THE PLOT

LIMA August a. 1874.
The would-be revolutionists have played one OF
their last cards, but the government gained the
trick. On the 22d inst. cowardy attempt was
made to take the lie OF Mr.. Pardo, the President
OF the Republic which, thanks to Providence, sig-
nally failed. For some days previously n. PardO
had received anonymous communications warn.
ing him OF the existence OF plot to murder him,
but having little faith in the power OF his adver-
sarles, and being OF a somewhat dogged DISPOSE
tion. no attention was given to the subject. On
Saturday. the 22d, news was brought to him, about
four O'Clock p. M that several suspicious-lOoking
groups had formed in the neighborhoOd OF the
Government Palace, and ne was earnestly re-
quested by his aides to avail himself OF an escort
and proceed TO his private dwelling in coach.
Mr.. Pardo firmly refused this advice and at half
past four sailed forth ON foot, accompanied by
two aides-de-camp only.
THE ATTACK.
At a distance Of fifty yards from the door OF the
palace stood a tall. stalwart individual. wrapped
IN a loose great-cOat ana leaning on the cannon
marking the corner of the Portal Ge EscribanOs
and the Gale de Correos. A short way out in the
principal square were several squads OF men,
bering in all probably thirty, and up the street
leading to the bridge were two or three other
oiterers. All OF these parties engaged in re-
garding the approach Of Pardo. No sooner had he
arrived within four or five feet OF the man at the
corner than this desperado drew a revolver and
fired point blank at the President the ball passing
close to his ear. At this the policeman on duty
struck the man over the arm with his club and
with another blow prostrated him to the ground.
Nevertheless, even while down he continued firing
and Dy this time the cOnfederates In the square
and up the bridge street opened fire on the Presi-
dental party.
THE PRESIDENTS COURAGE.
M. PardO behaved with extraordinary coOness
and courage, advancing bravely toward his antag-
nists. One OF the aides-decamp precptated him.
| self on the fallen man, and another. with the
assistance OF Mr. G. F. DAVIS, an American, who
hurried to the spot secured q second conspirator.
Alarmed by the firing, the guard OF honor turned
out from the palace and directed volley toward
the groups on the Plaza. Convinced That the at
tempt had lailed the cOnfederates fed in all direc-
tions, and only LETT their two captured comrades
on the scene OF action. The President escaped un-.
injured, the policeman was slightly wounded In
the lace and one OF the guards received q bali
from the nying ruf1ans. This lasted about three
minutes in ALL but the effect on the population was
extraordinary.
ALARM OF THE CITIZENS.
At the report OF the first shot all the shopkeep-
ers rushed as one man to put up their shutters
and bar their doors. The alarm passed like
! wave down the principal streets, through the
| portals OF the business portion OF the town,
| arrived at the sections occupied almost
clusivey by dwelling houses and In five minutes
! the city presented the appearance OF q sealed
! letter. Not a door nor a window remained open.
| All this was done without any certain knowledge
Of what had occurred. The only report dying from
mouth to mouth was that the President mad been
killed. The truth was not known to any save
those In the immediate vicinity Of the scene of the
ARRAY. The coaches poured out of the Plaza In all
directions seeking safety and greatly adding to
the disorder by knocking down and running over
every one found IN their paths.
TRIBUTES OF A GRATEFUL PEOPLE.
| The President, quite unmoved. witnessed the
! enthusiasm Of the people, who, now acquainted
with the circumstances came docking from all
sides to cheer and salute him. With difficulty he
entered his carriage, and the popuace could
hardly be deferred from taking out the horses and
drawing the vehicle by hand 10 the residence OF
| nj. Pardo. Troops were instantly put In motion,
and patrOlled the streets; at the artillery barracks
the brigade was placed under arms, ana several
mitralieuses were made ready for any emergency.
But no further disturbance Of any description Oc
CURED.
THE CHARACTER OF THE AssAssINs.
The prisoners were quietly taken away to the
.guardhouse and given over to the proper civil
authorities who instantly proceeded to reduce
their statements to writing. From these COMES
sons, evidently made with the object of currylng
favor, 1t appears that all OF the conspirators,
sixty in number, are military men on half pay or
| on the retired list. who had determined TO assas-
snate the President, throw the whole city into
confusion, attract to their cause the numerous ad
venturers always ready for such occasions. and,
finally, call upon the people to follow them in their
battle for "reigon." BY this means they hoped
now at loggerheads with the administration Up
to the present writing some twenty have been
captured.
NO SYMPATHY WITH THE CRIMINALS.
| The plan, if the great crime proposed had been
carried into effect would have proved fearful
failure, judging from the altitude Immediately as
sumed by the people toward the President, and
! the murderers would. doubtless, nave met at the
hands OF the enraged popuace the same terrible
fate as did the Gutierrez In 1872. All the news.
papers OF the city, opposition as well as minis
terial. appeared with editorials cOndemning the
attempt In unmeasured terms. 1t is supposed
that General Machuca, an ambitious old Indian, is
! the prime mover In the affair." but yet his par
! ticipation has been carefully and artuly con.
| cealed.
! THE PRESIDENTS THANKS FOR PUBLIC SYMPATHY.
The President reaching his house. was called
upon to reply to the manifestations or JOY made by
the crowd, and briefly said that, had the assassins
been successful, his DEATH though in itself Of little
Importance, would have plunged the Republic into
all the horrors OF anarchy and civil war, and that
Providence in protecting Peru from such misfor.
! tune, had extended her mantle over him. NJ.
| Pardo received visits OF congratuaton from the
different municipal corporations, the diplomatic
| corps, the officers OF the army and navy and in
1ne all well thinking men OF public and private
| lite, VINO naturally wouldregard such q cowardly
assault with indignation Mass meetings were
held in the plaza, speeches made, all tending
toward the even frmer establishment OF peace
and the crowds senaratlnn invariahlv diractod