The New York herald., 1879-08-02

NEW EXPEDITION OF THE HUAscAR-FURTnER
PREPARATIONS BEING MADE BY THE cHILEANs
FOR DESCENT on THE COAST OF PERU
DoLIyIA's ARMY IN GOOD CONDITION.
LIMA. July o, 1879.
The Huascar completely reftted and well pro vided
with stores and good supply of her solid steel
shot. 800 pounds weight left Callao under sealed
orders on the morning of tho 5th inst. accom-
panied by the Chaaco one OF the fastest of the Pc
ruvan transports. 1t is difficult to even venture
conjecture to the destination of the famous ram.
but in all probability by the next steamer leaving
for Panama we will be enabled to give some news
concerning her. During the Huascar's stay in
Callao some important alterations were made on
board the forenlast being removed to give free
play to the turret guns in all directions. Her
machinery carefully overhaued. aud it is cslcu-
lated that she easily steam from twelve and
half to thirteen knots per hour. TLs Chilean iron
clad Blanco Encalada. with two of the wooden
corvettes. at last accounts anchored at Antofa
gasta. where transports busily enaged in
receiving troops on board. doubtless for the long
heralded descent some part of the Peruvian coast
All the important places well garrisoned, and tho
enemy will find the Bolivian and Peruvian armies
pretty well prepared for encounter Report has it
that Admiral Williams Rebolledo had resigned his
command and had been replaced by Captain Lopez:
the fleet captain. Lopez is considered very good
oihcer. This rumor. however. is not confirmed.
The other Chilean armored vessel. the Admiral
Cochrane. was still on the blockade ut IQuiquc with
some OF the wooden ships.
CONTRABAND ARTICLES.
Notice had been given to the authorities Of
Pisagua by the Chilean commander that after the
10Th inst nitrate OF soda would be considered ~
contraband Of war. and all ships leaving that port
with the article board would be liable to
capture. Since the declaration OF war only about
half dozen cargoes have been despatched
from the nitrate ports. but the stock in
Europe is still very considerable. The Peruvian
ship PilcomayO, q wooden corvette and the trans
port Oroya were in Arica under the direct orders of
General Prado Telegraphc communication is re-es-
tablished between Lima and Iquique, consequently
will receive timely intelligence Of the
of the enemy.
STRENGTH OF THE BOLIVIAN FORCES
Don Rafael dc Izcue, the Minister of Finance. has
His successor has not been appointed. The arms
carried africa by the Pilcomayo have been deliv-
cred to the Bolivian forces, and their army act
ing under the direction OF General Prado and on
Peruvian soil, reaches 5000 men, well disci-
plined. equipped and armed. and anxious for
an opportunity to test their rifles.
We also have prospect OF interesting torpedo prac-
tice. Captain Harvey. of the British Navy, and in
ventor Of the torpedo bearing his name arrived here
by the last steamer under contract with the Peruvian
government. He brought with him an ample sup
ply Of torpedo material. and has already commenced
operations. An agent of the Lay torpedo is also
the coast and OF these dangerous Implements is
now nearly ready in Arica from thence it will be
transported overland to Iquiqus.
The Pensacola flying the broad pennant Of Ad-
miral c. Il. p. Rodgers. arrived in Callao Bay from
the south on the 7th inst. All well on board Her
Britannia Majestys iron-clad Triumph, Admiral
DE Horsey, Is still anchored in Callao Bay
A POWERFUL FRENCH FLEET WATCHING TUE OPERA
TIoNs.
A powerful French fleet has been ordered to the
Pacific portion of which has already arrived 4@At
Valparaiso there are at present the Victorieux a
powerful ironclad frigate, fourteen guns. which
flies the remnant of Rear Admiral Bergasse du Petit
Thouars. and the Hugon third class cruiser, eight
guns. In command OF Captain Gaache. The Vic
toricux has also powerful torpedo battery. The
Debrcs, Captain Chevaer u second class cruiser of
ten guns two pivot guns and torpedo battery Is at
Callao. The third class cruiser SECOND is on the
way from Tahiti to Valparaiso, and the Dayot and
Bisson vessels of the same class expected there
daily, direct from France. The Beautemps Beaupre
is at New Caledonia and the Lamotte Piquet is ut
Tahiti. The transport La Vite is engaged in MAIN
tanning communication between New Caledonia and
Tahiti.
Epidemic IN LIMA.
Tho Commeycio, of Lima, reports sort of epidemic
in that city, owing probably to tho variable charac
ter of the season. The disease assumes the form Of
intermittent fever, which in short time fatal.
CHILE AND THE ARGENrINEs.
Intelligence from the Argentine Republic confirms
the report of the rejection large majority i'll the
Senate Of the proposed treaty with Chile regarding
the vexed question of the Patagonian possessions,
thus leaving the matter in stdfu and tho Argen
tine Confederation at liberty to enforce her claims
to the territory in dispute. more favorable mo-
ment could not have been chosen, the resources
and attention Of Chile are pretty well occupied
this coast at the present tine and the ine fleet OF
the Argentines would find q bloodlcss triumph II
any attempt should be made to seize the territory
in question. During the debate tho most unfavor-
able remarks made regarding the conduct of
Chile toward her ncighbors, and the manner in
which sho is carrying on the war with Peru and
Bolivia.
EFFORTS AT RECONCILIATION.
News received in this city via Panama yesterday
states that few days before the last South American
mail lett the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.
Santa Maria visited the two presidents, but no
port OF their interview has been made public. He
has always been opposed to the war. believing that
il could be settled by other and ii is thought
that he has submitted plan for the rectiicaion Of
the frontier which the allied powers might accept
without loss of dignity.