New-York tribune., 1880-01-07
the power of Peru by strengthening the ncighbOrnc

the powsrof Peru by strengthening the neighoor'ns
What was the nature of the recent engagement on
the heights of San Frsnciscog"
The Peruvian army encamped below the height,s ol
san Francisco, winch occupied BY the Chiiiah
forces. The battle opened by severe cannonadlng
on the part OF the Cans bold dash was
getting posseSscn ef after hard struggle AZ tnls
point the Boyians who are the allies OF & me reru rr
troops. instead of into those OF the enem1: e,lc
army becsme dlsoresnized All night long the officers
lasored get the forces reorganized and e back
battle was fought, which resulted in loss los,
to the ChiliaDs of about 1,loo men ,,,der ier'
TIE loss Of The Peruvans was about 500 men. owing
the barrenness Of the country which produces no
INTO the Interior was made after the engagement.
These two battles are the only open & 'H''
have raken place since the beginning OF the war. ts
What is the relative strength OF the TWO afhcs
IN PeuY 1000 :,
/" Tne Peruvian armies number about 10000, dl
tTibued throughout the cOuntTyat Lima. CallaO ana
other points The Chians have force OF l2VOo mien
Province OF TaIapaca, which embraces ne guaho
regions and nitrate OF soda beds: Tafapaca az
though desert region. and Incapable OF furnishing % oo
attack on account of its commercial importance they
have full possession OF this province iner supplies
"wil the occupation Of so important part OF feru-
Wan territory oy the enemy affect the financial conu
- The country viii suffer temporary loss, because
the province has been proiuc source OF reNSuue;
Whether the injury will be permanent am not inclined
to state at present." ,.. %, ,ho
Have you any fears as 10 tne utlhate ioeu'' VI "
WARP ,..o
line OF the land forces but as the contest ueenus
largely upon the operations al sea, the result is 5e'
prOblematical."
SKETCH OF PIEROIA.
Nicholas D. Pierola who has become the head OF
the Peruvian Government-ahough the Office OF " SUI
preme Chief in recognized in the Constitution and
the change of government, If permanently sue
cessful Will really amount TO revolu-
ton has been a prominent figure In Per-
uvlan politics for some years In 1864 and ls6o'
he was instrumental in developing national spirit
OF resistance to Spanish aggression and he
was at first q supporter OF the Prado au-
mipstraton OF that PERIOD when General Prado was AZ
first the Supreme Chief and afterward tue fresueht
President Ralta who succeeded Prado In 1867,
ana was made Minister of the Treasury. II
was under this administration that me Amer,
lean railway contractor, Henry Megs went 10 feIu'
and undertook the contracts for railroad across lhe
Ands TO the MINES and for other extensive roals' Io
which the Government gave him unusually nDeIal
terms With the accession the Presidency IN lS12,
were 1mpeached. Among them vas Pierola, WHO was
charged with the financial ruin OF the country
but was acquitted In 1874 he took part IN
an unsuceessful revolution, and went 10 Chll'
A SECOND attempt was made by him upon the election
of General PradO to the Presidency In 1876, when he
declared himself Supreme Chief, and was fecelVeu hs
such on board the sluce famous Huascar His popularity
among the people is spoken Of the why he was
released after TINS affair and permitted TO ralse tes-
ment, OF which ne became colonel HIS recent cohhto
ton with politics is given in the interview Win OeheTa
PradO above.