National Republican., 1885-07-02
sorrn AMrn1cAN rnApr.
Tho Suggestions in the Report OF the
Commission Sent by Congress TO In

Commission Sent by Congress to In
vestigate.
The commission appointed by the Presi-
dent to visit the South American countries
in The interest Of the commerce of the
United States has reported, under date of
April 20, to the Department Of State the
result OF It's observations while at Lima,
Peru. In communication to the Secre-
tary 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 gratiied to be able to
report q cordial reception from the provisional
government and from the people, notwith-
standing the fact that they feel somewhat ag
grioved at the failure of the United states 10
exercise Its good offices for their benefit during
the recent war with Chill This delicate sub.
ject was not alluded to officially during our
visit, but in private conversation the complCa.
tions of three or four years ago were spoken of
In such a manner as to leave the impression
that our government, in their opinion, did
Peru moro injury than good. However, there
Is still most friendly sentiment which has
been stimulated by the attitude of Minister
Phelps, and n desire to secure more intimate
International and commercial relations be-
tween the two countries. The epcople privately
talk of annexation TO the United States, tho
newspapers openly advocate q prptectoraic
over Peru by our government as the best mode
same spirit.
Our commerce, with this country has dyin.
dlen down to almost nothing in comparison
with It's former magnitude. This Is accounted
| for BY the enormous decrease in the purchns-
ing power of Peru, and by the fact that tho
steamship company, which employs mo-
| nopOly ON the west coast of South America
| uses It's influence and regulates It's freight
tnriiis so ns to direct trade to England. II Is
| the opinion OF every merchant In Peru, and of
| the members Of the government, that these
| conditions cannot be changed until there Is Ill.
rect communication by steam between tho
ports of this country and those OF the United
| States. IL Is said to be cheaper to ship goods
| from New York by way of Liverpool and Ham
burg, around the horn to Callao, than by way
| Of the isthmus while tho passenger pays $50
| American gold for transportation from New
| York for Valparaiso.
We were formally presented to the president
| April 20. At noon of that day battalion of
infantry, with the National Band OF Peru, was
| sent TO our hotel as u guard of honor, and at
| 2:C0 o'clock the official introducer of ambassa
dors called, with the Presidents carriage and
| TO the palace by Minister Phelps military
| aid-dccamp of tho. president, In the uniform
| ofa colonel OF cavalry, was at the entrance of
| the palace TO receive us, aud alter passing be-
| tween files Of soldiers through the long corri-
| dors we were met by the minister of interior
relations at the door Of the reception chamber,
which was formerly the audience room of tho
| Spanish viceroy, ana is in the wing of tho pal
| ace erected by Pizarro.
Under canopy Of crimson velvet, dressed
In q military uniform and resplendent in
| gold lace, President Iglesias stood, surrounded
| by his cabinet and prominent officers of the
| army and navy, he and each of his ministers
carrying gold. d.hoaded canes as an emblem Of
| their authority. The chamber was crowded
with people to witness what in Peru is oonsid.
cred ceremony Of great importance.
Mr. commissioner Thatcher presented Gem
| President Of the United States and delivered
an address, TO which the president replied
AT the conclusion of the ceremonies we werc
| invited TO the presidents private reception
| room, where we were presented to the mem
| bcrs of the cabinctland attendants aud had u
| few moments conversation.
The rest of the day we had an official con-
ference. 1t showed that, while the govern.
| mentor this republic is not in position, po.
| lltiCnlly or financially, to make any conccs-
sions ut present TO encourage trade, its scntl-
monts are exec eiingly friendly and Its wish is
| land.
| The pcrmanency of the present government
| is probable, but not assured. Cnceres has con-
troll OF the southern provinces of the republic.
and is marching toward Lima with an army of
| 1900 or 5000 men. President lglcsias is pre-
| pared to defend the city, but has neither the
means nor the men to mako an offensive cam
| paign. He dare not move the army from the
| capital for fear of n revolution there and Is
thus compelled to see the interior provinces
| Caccrcs. lglcsias has no money, and Is resort.
| ing 10 extraordinary measures to secure enough
TO keep the army In fighting shape. He Is re-
| gardCd as an honest man, but under the In
luenco Of Chill, and, therefore, is unpopular.
But the people who oppose him do not want
Caceres, the mountaineer president, TO rule the
country. Between the two they prefer Iglesias.
There is q third party headed by Gen. Plerola
formerly dictator of Peru, which is said to DC
composed OF the best element of the republic
the businessmen and those of property, whose
| purpose Is 10 secure both the abdication o
lglesias and the retirement of Cacefes by
making concessions to the friends and sup
| porers OF each. So fur, their peace negotiations
have not met with success, and now there are
indications of movement to accomplish by a
coup dotdt what diplomacy has failed to do
Caceres will not retire in favor, of Igleslas II
Is thought he might be willing to yield to
Pierola, and when he and his army of Indians
have approached near enough to Lima &c
make such a movement effective 1t is sale
Pierolas party will give Iglesias m opportunity
to choose between Pierola and Caceres, and
that then terms can be made with both the
%b s1yS gy ana hs n Fl
utional president eau be elected.
Until this peace comes II Is useless to talk o.
commerce with Peru. The country Is nov
stripped of everything that is valuablei the
conscripts for two armies have left tho iarmi
untitled the people are producing nothing
trade is practically suspended, and people whc
few years ago were in aflluent circumstances
are now living upon what they can borrow OF
the pawnbrokers The importing merchants
say that they cannot buy goods anywhere with
out s9n9ing the Gas WITH ne order and Az ds
government has incurred an enormous debt
and its principal source of revenue--the guanC
islands-haye been seized by Chilli But will
Il few years of peace and industry prosperit!
would return to Peru, for her natural resource
are abundant
In the interview between the commission
and the president and the minister of forclgr
allairs of Peru, the last mentioned said "Thi
government Is dlsposd to give all possible facili
ties for increased tradei but think anotho
line of steamers would bo very desirable
The line should be called an American line
but we would like shares in 1t to be offered Il
citizens of Peru, so as TO allow them and the
government an interest and make 1t an Amer
an-Peruyian line. The coastng trade is th
privilege of each country, but 1t has been TO
different reasons allowed to be taken up b,
foreign traders, but this line should, II posi-
Bile, sail under the flags of the different nation
and countries on tin entire coast. These coun
tries would give Immediately the right of the
| annstipg In nd nntIl