The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-02

What Was Learned Concerning the
Country by the Trade Commission.
The Merchants Would Like to Trade with
the United States, but They Have
Neither Cash Nor Credit


| WASHINGTON, July 1.-The commission up.
| pointed by the President to visit the South
American countries in the interest of the com
merce of the United States has reported, under
date of April IS, to the Department of State the
result of its observations while at Lima Peru
In a communication to the Secretary of State,
accompanying the report, the commission says:
''The political situation in Peru is not
such as to make mission like
! that upon which we have the honor to
come either satisfactory or conclusive, but we
are grathed to be able to report cordial recep-
ton from the provisional government and from
| the people, notwithstanding the fact that they
| feel somewhat aggrieved at the failure Of the
| United States to exercise its good Offices for
| their benefit during the recent war with Chilli
| This delicate subject was not alluded to officially
| during our visit but in private conversation the
| complications Of three or four years ago were
| spoken OF in such manner as to leave the i'm
! preston that our government in their opinion
did more injury than good. However, there is
| still a most friendly sentiment which has
been stimulated by the attitude of
| Minister Phelps and a desire to secure
| more intimate international and commercial
| relations between the two countries Our COM
MERGE with this country has dwindled down TO
| almost nothing IN comparison to its former mag
| nitude. This is accounted for by the enormous
| decrease in the purchasing power of Peru. and
| by the fact that the steamship company which
| enjoys monopoly of the west coast of South
| America uses its influence and regulates its
| freight tariffs so as to divert the trade to Eng
| land. 1t is the opinion of every merchant in
Peru, and of the members of the government
| that these conditions cannot be changed until
| there Is direct communication by steamer be-
| TIVE n the ports of this country and those of the
| n.ted States 1t is said to be cheaper to ship
! goods from New York by way of Liverpool and
Hamburg, around the Horn to California, than
| by way of the Isthmus.
| 1--WE were formally presented to the Pres j.
| dent on April 20. At noon of that day battal-
| ion OF infantry, with the national band Of Peru,
| was sent to our hotel guard of honor, and
| at halt-past o'clock the official introducer of
| ambassadors called with the Presidents car
riage We were accompanied to the palace by
Minister Phelps, and latter passing between files Of
! soldiers through the long corridors We were met
by the Minister of Exterior Relations at the door
OF the reception room, which was formerly the
audience room, and is in the wing of the palace
erected by Piazzaro. Under a canopy of Grim
| son velvet, dressed in military uniform
and resplendent in gold lace President lyle
| slas stood, surrounded by his Cabinet and
| prominent officers OF the army and navy, he and
each of his ministers carrying gold headed canes
| as an emblem Of their authority. The chamber
| was crowded with people to witness what in
| Peru, is considered ceremony of great import
| ance. AT the conclusion of the ceremonies we
! were invited to the Presidents private reception
| room, where we were presented to the members
| OF the CABINET and enjoyed few moments of
| conversation. The next day we had an official
| conference. 1t showed that while the govern
| ment of this Republic is not in a position polit
| lcally Or financially. to make any concessions
at present to encourage trade its sentiments are
exceedingly friendly, and its wish is to give us
the benefit now enjoyed by England. The
permanency of the present government is
| probable, but not assured. Caceres has control
| of the southern provinces of the Republic and
| is marching toward Lima with an army of 1000
| or 5000 men. President Igesias is prepared to
| defend the city. but has neither the means nor
| the men to make an offensive campaign. He
| dare not go far from the capital, for fear of
| revolution there, and is thus compelled to see
| the interior provinces one by one subjected to
the authority of Caceres. Iglesias has no money,
and is resorting to extraordinary measures to
secure enough to keep the army in fighting
| shape. He is regarded as an honest man. but
under the influence of Chill, and therefore is I'M
| popular. But the people who oppose him do not
want Caceres, the mountaineer president. to
| rule over them. They prefer Iglesias.
Caceres will not retire in favor of Iglesias 1t is
| thought he might be willing to yield to Pierola
| and when he and his army of Indians have ap-
| preached near enough to Lima to make such
movement effective, 1t is said the Pierola party
| Will give lgeslas an opportunity to choose be-
tween Pierola and Caceres, and that then terms
| can be made with both and the revolutionists
| tor peace Until this peace comes, it is useless
| to talk OF commerce with Peru The country is
now stripped of everything that is valuable. The
conscrpts for the armies have left the farms I'M
| titled the people are producing nothing; trade
| is practically suspended, and people, who, few
| years ago, were in affiuent circumstances are
| now living uron what they can Dor
OF the pawn brokers. The importing
merchants say they cannot buy goods without
sending the cash with the order and distrust is
so general that credit is obsolete. The govern.
ment has incurred an enormous debt and it's
principal source of revenue, the Guano islands
have been seized by Chilli But with a few wears
| of peace and industry. prosperity woald return
to Peru, for her national resources are abundant
In tho interview between the commission and
the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Of Peru, the last said: This government is
disposed to give all possible facilities for in
| creased trade, but think another line of steam
| ers would be very desirable. The line should
be called an American line but we would
like shares in it to be offered to
citizens of Peru, so as to allow them and the
government an interest, and make it really an
American Peruvian line. The coasting trade is
the privilege of each country, but it has been
for different reasons, allowed to be taken up by
foreign traders; but this line should, if possible.
sail under the flag of the different
nations and countries on the entire
| coast. These countries would give i'm
mediately the right to coasting trade to
the steamers. and could finally give an exclusive
right. In regard to the question of reciprocity
| treaty, the President of Peru thought it would
have to be deliberated before definite answer
could be given"
A Singular Lawsuit at Chicago.
CHICAGO july Suit for $3.50 600 has been