Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-22
CHILLI IN PERU.
Repeated ChfIIan Defeats Lead 60 n
war WtthOus QuaTTer-Pe n Get
ting Under Arms Again and Chilli
Weakening with Her Work.

Correspondence Of the Nelc York World.
CALLAo, July 19.-There are very few
events Of importance to relate in regard
to this unfortunate and sadly oppressed
country which have not long since been
recorded in the newspapers at home. The
most important, and at the same time
the most depressing, event which has oc-
Cured to break down the spirits of this
people since the death of their lamented
friend, Gen. Hurlbut, was the arrival of
his successor.
Mr.. Partridge is spoken of by all who
know him as an excellent and accom-
plished man, but as he has been suffer.
ing with malaria since his arrival. and
as the tenor of all his conversation has
been to show that the United States have
| abdicated all pretensions to influence in
South America, the effect of his mission
so far has been anything but exhilarating.
1t might be thought from the tone of
many Western Congressman and of lead
ing newspapers all over the United
States that the Americans have some
backbone. refer to the attacks on
Minister Lowell. 1t seems to me that if
so much feeling can be excited on behalf
| of fOreign-born citizen maltreated in
1lClduug VIC lllBuI Will IEdSOu 10
see the many native American citizens
in Peru protected against the insolence
| and Juvenile arrogance" of small-frY
Gillian officials. Nearly every Ameri-
can on the west coast feels like hanging
his head on account OF the way in which
a little bit of State with no more than
1900, 900 Of people has been able
to brighten off great power
twenty-five times its size in popula-
ton, with sixteen times its area, and
with almost infinite resources. Ameri-
cans who were once proud to say "We
are Americans" can hardly conceal
their disgust when they see the wretched
little army of Chill, and remember that
a government of fifty-one millions of
| people backed down when that little
| power showed her teeth, and all because
Chilli has 'fthree iron-clads," built in
England l must say that people who
could disown the eminently proper and
| truly American ideas of the late General
Hurlbut, presents a ridiculous spectacle
while trying to say to the great powers
of Europe Thus far shall ye come
and no farther" All that has been
written against Mr.. Lowell seems, in the
light of our pCsillanimous South Ameri-
-
catching the Irish vote l would not
oppose the recall of Mr.. Lowell for
want of Americanism, if l could. but
in the name of decency, let us see a con-
sistent policy in all directions.
Lately we have had considerable ex-
element on account of skirmishes along
the line of the ArOya road. The mon
tOneros" of Peru, whom an American
''elderly naval man" recently described
as so easily dispersed, have been rather
seriously disturbing the business which
the same authority describes as ''going
on in the usual way as in time of
peace"
On Saturday. the 7th of July, the
train which left Callao in the morning
for Chicla. returned in the afternoon
with information that the Peruvians had
torn up the track few miles bevond
ChOsica, about twenty-five miles from
Lima. The report also reached Lima
that there had been a fight in which
about four hundred Chilians had been
killed, but that after the fight the Peru
VANS in their eXultation got drunk and
were in turn defeated and driven from
the line. 1t was further stated that
Gen. Caceres was in that vicinity with
about five thousand men. Most of this
was rumOr 1t is true, however, that
the Peruvians did cut the Chllian line of
communications, and that they did kill
a good many Chilians and did gain a
victory. This victory has had a
moral effect at least. 1t has
shown that the conquest of Peru
is not yet an accomplished
fact. Six days later the news reached
us that at a place called Conception, be
yOnd Chicla, number of Chilians, vari-
ouslv stated at from 80 to 280, had been
butchered by the MOntOnerOs. The story
runs in this wise: A Oh liam officer in
command of body of troops having in
charge number of Montoneros prison
ers, becoming doubtful as to his ability
to bring them in, notwithstanding their
bonds, ordered them to be shot and every
man of them was sent to their long sleep.
For the truth of this l cannot vouch, but
it is only too probable, and it is urged
by the Montoneros to explain the sequel
The MontonerOs, learning the fate of
their comrades, made a descent on Con
cepciOn, captured it and killed every
Gillian in the place, according to most
accounts. Others say that one, and
still others that two escaped. Whatever
may be the truth in this case, the order
has now been issued by the Chilans that
every man who is found in the noun
tains armed against Chill shall be killed.
The black flag is hoisted and the war on
which Chill has plumed herself by rea-
sons of its GLORY is to degenerate into
foul duel of organized bands of assas-
sins.
Not Peru alone is suffering from this
terrible business Chill is losing, not
| 40 e
pers to the contrary, more than she can
well afford. Her army is rapidly dimin-
ishing in strength. Disease is fighting
harder than her human enemies 1t is hard
for her to raise men enough for the work
laid out. Chill is attempting to garrison
a country of 800 900 square miles, twice
her own area, with greater population
than her own, with not more than 25,-
600 men. Could Peru get together an
army of Is 900 good fighting men. well
equipped and led by gallant and expe.
rienced General, she could, in the scat
tered condition of the CHILEAN forces,
very easily rid herself of her enemies.
The garrisons of Lima and Callao COM
bined do not exceed &, 900 men and boys.
As it is, l am sure the conquest of
Peru" if ever accomplished, will be the
work of years. The men of the interior
are harder than those of the coast and
are much more formidable through their
knowledge of the mountains.
Arequipa, the second city in Peru
still frowns defiance to all the Gillian
forces For a long time its seaport,
MollendO, was blockaded and then Occu
pied by Gillian land forces. Such, how
ever is the character and energy of the
Areqmpans that Chill was forced to re-
establish the blockade. Lately the &C
tivity of the Peruvians has made even
MOllendo untenable for the Gillian land
forces. and the place has been abandoned.
The last reports are that the Peruvians
made descent on Mollendo al d cap
tured all the Gillian artillery, which they
carried off in triumph to Arequipa.
Arequipa, as you know, is situated
about sixty or seventy five miles north
east from MolIendo. 1t is splendidly
fortified, every house being fortress.
Unlike most Peruvian towns it Is built
of stone and is well supplied with pro-