The sun., 1881-12-04

Sume Presidential functions In Lima BY
| communicating directly with the diplo-
| matte agents residing there can only be at
tributed to the instigation OF Gen. HURLBUT,
whose pomrous and bellicose demonstra-
tions have actually persuaded some silly
people In Peru that the United States con-
template an armed interference in a matter
with which they have no concern.
| No sooner had Gen. HuRLBUT's protege
been shipped of to Chill than our enterpris-
ing envoy bethought himself OF new card
which he could play by way OF publishing
his self-importance and grotesQue indiffer-
ence to diplomatic propricty. Not long ago
MoNTERo, who commanded for PIERoLA
in the north, had been induced to
betray his chief and to recognize
the so-called CALDERoN regime by
the rumors current throughout the country,
and strongly fortified by the curious attl-
tude OF the American Minister. that an
armed Intervention by the United States on
behalf of Peru was imminent. AS 1t hap
pened, the CALDERoN Government was al-
most defunct at the date OF MoNTERo's
adhesion. which, however, had the effect of
galvanizing moribund into n semblance OF
vitality. MoNTERo was rewarded with the
barren title OF Vice. president, and now that
CALDERoN has been sent out OF the country
he becomes the nominal head OF one OF
the provisional Governments. 1t Is said
that Gen. HURLBUT lost no time in despatch
ing a messenger to MoNTERo, calling on
him to assume his august functions at the
capital. II is hard to see what business it
was OF Gen. HURLDUT's or OF any other
diplomatic agent to issue a summons OF this
kind. But the proceeding in all likelihood
will prove harmless and futile. for Mon
TERo will scarcely risk himself in Lima,
which just now seems to be sort Of way
station on II railroad to Santiago.
Now, 1t is really matter OF no Importance
to the American people whether the Chilian
commander was or was not justified in ar
resting CALDERoN. This Peruvian business
Is beginning to wear the aspect OF a farce, in
which the American Minister figures as
chief performer. Our commercial interest
in Peru is insignificant. being completely
overshadowed, not only by that OF
England and OF Germany, but even
by that OF France. so far as
financial motives for interference are
concerned, either OF the countries named
has far more reason to actively befrend the
conquered State than we have. Neither OF
those powers, however, has the slightest in
tention OF doing SO, because the fact is uni
versally recognized in Europe that II there
ever was righteous victory, 1t is that won
by Chilli over tho united forces Of Bolivia
and Peru. We have repeatedly pointed
out the ostensible pretexts and the real
causes OF the war. We have shown how
Bolivia violated her treaties with Chill, and
precipitated collision. relying on secret
compact with Peru. 1t was, indeed. conf
IDENTIFY expected at Lima and La Paz that
the Peruvian ironclads. acting in concert
with the combined land forces of the two
powers, would make short work OF the South
American Yankees. who, in the estimation OF
their chvalric neighbors, were good for moth
ing but to make money and pay their
debts. The result OF the scheme concocted
by the Peruvian and Bolivian Governments
was that their Wanted ironclads were pres
emily captured by wooden vessels, and that
their joint armies. though outnumbering
their opponents two to one, were Disgrace
fully beaten In every encounter. Having
failed in their cynical projects OF conquest,
the aggressors In this war have now got to
pay the piper. Nor can any man question,
who contrasts the financial probity OF
Chill with the wretched record OF Peru
Wan bankruptcy, that it would be we'll
for South America and for the world II the
whole OF Peru could be governed from San
tiago. But that is Chilis affair. She does
not ask for our advice, but throughout this
struggle she has deserved our sympathy.
Let the countries that provoked this war
escape its consequences II they can. We
have neither any right nor any wish to aid
them. And certainly We shall not ask a
small and poor State like Chilli, after the
costly sacrifices entailed by a war in which
her enemies were the aggressors, to- accept,
in lieu OF solid territorial indemnity. the
worthless promise to pay Of o notorious
bankrupt.