Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-09
Secretary BIaine's Silence.
Net1 Orleans PicGyitne.


The telegraph has informed US that in
reference to the report that the United
States Government had directed Gen. Hurl-
but to continue to recognize the govern
ment Of President Calderon as the legit-
mate government of Peru, Secretary Blaine
''said there is nothing in the affairs of Peru
about which the department cares to
speak"
II Mr.. Blaine is gradually putting this
country into the attitude Of setting up and
protecting "sick man" in Peru against all
corners, It is quite time that the American
press should speak to Mr.. Blaine. II his In
tentions are altogether, as they ought to be,
within the bounds OF international law and
right, then there is nothing in the affairs OF
Peru about which he needs to keep silence.
When Pierola, defeated in war, driven
from his capital, retired to the mountains
and inaugurated guerrilla warfare, he was,
as the result showed, dragging Peru from
national defeat into national disgrace and
destruction. Minister Hurlbut, in his letter
to Aurelio Garcia y Garcia, at Ayacucho,
correctly pointed out that the confirmation
of the full and autocratic faculties given to
the ex Dictator, under his new title of Presi-
dent" by the alleged National Assembly at
Ayacucho, "confer no further validity in
the eyes of the law to his authority and pre-
tensions"
Gen. Hurlbut was also correct 10 stigma.
tizin0 the DEGREES issued at Ayacucho re-
garding the persons and property of those
citizens who decline to recognize Pierola,
as 'inhuman and barbarous." The case is
practically about the same as II Longstreet
or Beauregard had in April, 1865, retired to
the mountains and declared death and con-
fiscation against those defeated Confeder-
ates who submitted to defeat and recogniz-
ed the officials who were supported by the
conquering arms.
Chill, victorious in war, not being able to
make peace with the Government of Ptero-
Ia, because it retired 20 the mountains In
stead of raising the white flag as it should
have done when totally defeated and disin-
tegrated, permitted Garcia Calderon to Or
ganize Provisional Government for Peru,
and he was properly authorized bya Pro-
visional Constitutional Congress assembled
at Chorillos. Christiancy, therefore, and
after him Hurlbut, was justified in recog-
nizing, on the part of the United States, the
Provisional Government OF Calderon as the
Government of Peru. But the Chilians have
not yet effected treaty OF peace, and they
are still In possession of the conquered
country. and Gen. Hurlbut-Or Blaine, II
It be Blaine-has no right to do any act In
contrayention of the title OF the eonquerors,
or to dictate to Chill what terms she shall
or shall not impose on Peru.
The fact is, and 1t was so interpreted In
Peru. our representatives have acted as
though the United States was ready to inter
vene in behalf of Peru and against Chill,
and say to the conquerers, "You shall not
take an inch"
IL the United States is prepared to take
such step, that preparation is hitherto un-
known to any OF us unless 1t be to q few
holders OF Peruvian guano claims or nitrate
concessions, which would be worth precious
little II Chill should annex the districts OF
Tarapaca and Antofagasta.
Il is only fair to say that Calderon's
government was accused OF putting In cir
culation fifteen million soils in paper without
authority, which, OF course, will never be
redeemed. The indiscriminate issue OF fiat
currency has shrupk the value Of the sol
from one dollar gold to three cents. The
resultant impoverishment was 8 general
calamity, and the Chilians have earned the
gratitude of the Peruvian people by pro.
hiblting the continued issue of bank notes
for which no one is responsible. But this
circulation could have been checked with.
out entirely abolishing Garcia Calderon'f
Government
II the United States proposes to fight FOL
conquered Peru, let US know It. Such q
battle would have some elements OF popu-
larity In II.
II the United States is to fight for Cor
poral's guard Of American spectators IL
Peruvian claims, let us know it. VIII Mr.
Blaine speaki