The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-03

Under ordinary ciroums stances the death
OF President BERMUDEz OF Peru. which took
place on Saturday. would have no mis-
ohievous consequences. for the national
Constitution provides that In such an event
the First vice-Presldent. or In case he fails
to qualify. the Second vice-Presldent. shall
discharge the executive functions for the
unexpired part Of the term. which In this
case will extend to Aug. 10 OF the present
year. What makes the existing situation
dangerous Is the fact that. owing to the ex-
cited state OF public feeling. the First Vice.
President has taken refuge on board q
British gunboat In the harbor OF Callao.
and has requested those who have sup
ported his candidacy for the Chief Magis-
tracy to take no part In the pending election.
The result Is that the Second Yice-Presi-
dent has assumed the executive functions,
but the fear Is that CAcEREs. whether or not
he is chosen President for the term begin
ming Aug. 10. will at once usurpthe Office OF
Chief Magistrate. an act which would un-
doubleday provoke the partisans Of PIERoLA
to attempt a revolution.
This state OF things Ia made still worse
by the imminence Of another war with
Chill. It will be remembered that by the
treaty which put an end to the war be-
tween tho Chilians and Peruvians 1t was
provided that the Santiago Government
should retain possession Of the districts OF
Tacna and africa for period Of ten years
from a designated date. at the termination
OF which q pleblscite was to determine to
which Of the two countries the districts
mentioned should belong. That period has
Just expired. yet Chill has refused to permit
the stipulated plebiscite to be taken. This
violation Of a treaty. II persisted In. would
inevitably lead to war. provided Peru. by
herself or by virtue OF her alliances. felt
competent to enforce her rights. There Is
no doubt that public opinion in the United
States and throughout the greater part Of
South America would. so far as this matter
is concerned. be on the side OF Peru; but
whether substantial assistance would be
offered is doubtful. 1t was at one time re-
ported that the Argentine Confederation
had agreed to cooperate with Peru to COM
pei Chilli to carry out the stipulation regard
ing Tacna and africa. and 1t has been as
serted that o counter combination had been
effected between Chilli and Brazil. It can
hardly be supposed. however. that President
PEIxoro would. against the protest Of the
United states. which we trust would be
uttered. help Chill to perpetrate gross act
OF injustice against sister commonwealth.
But Argentina. on the other hand. cannot
be expected to take an active part In favor
OF Peru SO long as the last-named country
is threatened with anarchy and revolution.
There has never been q juncture in the
history Of the Peruvian republic when
patriotism was more clearly the duty Of
every citizen. for on the sacrifice OF per-
sonal ambitions depends the redemption Of
large and valuable section OF the national
territory. Peru Is In the hands Of the
despoiler. yet. although she unquestionably
has the sympathy OF Argentina and the
United States. she need not look for aid
from others until on her own part she has
shown a determination to make good her
treaty rights.