The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-07-04
SOUTH AMERICA.
Report of the Commission on
Our Commerce.
PERUVIAN POVERTY
A New Steamship Line Needed to
Increase Our Trade in that
Direction.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-The commission
appointed by the President to visit the
South American countries in the interest of
the commerce of the United States, has re-
ported under date OF April 25th to the De-
partment of State the result of it's oLserva-
tions while at Lima, Peru. In a communi-
cation to the Secretary of State accompa-
nying 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
satiafactory or conclusive, but we are graf
ified to be able to report cordial recep-
from the people, notwithstanding the fact
that they feel somewhat aggrieyed at the
failure of the United States to exercise it's
good offices for their benefit during the re-
cent war with Chill. This delicate subject
was not alluded to during our visit, but in
private conversations the complicatio OF
three and four years ago were spoken OF i'll
such manner as to leave the impression
that our Government, in their opinion. did
Peru more injury than good. However
there is still
MORE FRIENDLY SENTIMENT
which has been stimulated by the attitude
of Minister Phelps and the desire to secure
more intimate international and CONNER
cial relations between the two countries.
The people privately talk of annexation to
the United States. The newspapers openly
advocate IA protectorate over Peru by our
Government as the best mode of securing
international peace, and there have been
many other suggestions advanced in the
same spirit. Our commerce with,this coun-
try has dwindled down to almost nothing
in comparison with it's former magnitude.
This is accounted for by the enormous de-
crease in the purchasing power OF Peru and
by the fact that the steamship company,
which enjoys monopoly on the west coast
OF South America uses it's influence and
regulates it's freight tariffs SO as to direct
the trade to England. 1t is the opinion OF
merchant in Peru and of the members of
the Government that these conditions cam
not be changed until there is
DIRECT COMMUNICATION BY STEAM
with the ports OF this country and the
United States, and it is said it will be
cheaper to ship goods from New York by
the Horn to Callao, then by the way of the
Isthmus, while passengers pay 1915 in
American gold for transp ortation from
New York to Valparaiso. We were for
maly presented to the President on April
goth. The next day we had an official
conference. 1t showed that while the Gov
ernment of this Republic is not in Il posi-
tion politically or financially to make any
at present to encourage trade,
it's sentiments are exceedingly friendly and
it is it's wish to give us the benefit now en-
joyed by England. The permancy OF the |
present Government is probable, b 1T not |
CACEROS HAS CONTROL
of the southern provinces of the Republic,
and is marching toward Lima with an
army of 1000 or 5000 men. President |
lgleseas is prepared to defend the city, but |
has neither means nor men to make an
offensive campaigiss lie dare not move an |
..1,sy f-om the capital for fear OF a revo-
luton there, and is thus compelled to see
the interior provinces one by one subjected
to the authority of Caceros. Igleseas has
no money, and is resorting to extraordi- |
nary 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 unpopular, but the
people who oppose him do not want |
Caceros, the mountaineer President, to |
rule the country. Between the two they |
prefer Igleseas. There is third party, |
headed by General Pierola, formerly Die
tator OF Peru which is said to be composed |
Of the
BEST ELEMENT OF THE REPUBLIC,
the business men and those having prop |
erty, whose purpose is to secure the sub
lection of Igleseas and the Government of |
Caceros by making concessions to the
friends and supporters of each. So far !
their peace negotiations have not met with |
success, and now there are Indications OF
to accomplish by a coup detat !
what diplomacy has failed to do. Caceros
will not retire in favor OF Igleseas. 1t is
thought he might be willing to yield to
Pierola, and when he and his army OF In
lians have approached near enough to Lima |
TO make such move effective it is said the
Pierola party will give 1gleseas an oppOr-
tunity to choose between Pierola and Cace
rOs, and then terms can be made with both |
The Government party and revOlutiOnists
ior peace with
PIEROLA AS DICTATOR
until the constitution can elect. Until
this peace comes it is useless to talk OF |
commerce with Peru. The country is
now stripped OF everything that is valu-
able Conscripts for the two armies have
eft the farms untitled. The people pro-
lucing nothing Trade is practically sus-
pended, and people who Il few years ago
we're in affluent circumstances, are now
living upon what they can borrow of
pawn brokers'. Importing merchants say
hat they cannot buy goods without send
ng cash with order, and the distrust is so
general that credit is absolete, The Gov
.rnment has inasmuch an enormous debt,
md it's principle source OF revenue-the
,uanO Islands-have been seized by Chill,
,ut with Il few years OF peace and industry,
would return to Peru, for
HER NATIONAL RESOURCES
ire abundant. In an interview between
;he commission and the President and the
IIinistel"of Foreign Affairs OF Peru, the lat.
er said: "This Government is disposed
20 give all possible facilities for increased
rade but think another line of steamers
would be very desirable. The line should
,e called an American line. but we would
AXE shares in it to be offered to citizens OF
Peru, SO as to allow them and the Govern
nent an interest, and make it really an
line. The coastjng
rade is a privilege of each country, but it
las for different reasons been allowed to be
aiken up by the foreign traders, but this
inc should if possible sail under the flags
# the different nations and countries on
he entire coast. This country would give
the right of the coasting
xclusive right" In regard to the question
i a reciprocity treaty. the President of
'eru thought it would have to be deliber-
ted before definite answer could be
iven.
AN OUrrRAcE