Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-10
TIE CAMPAIGN N THE ANDES.
Advance of Peruvian Military EXpe-
diIiOn 10 civ of Cninmarcn.

dition To City of Cnjamarcn.
The prodigiOus difficulties that confront
the Peruvian Government I'm its effort TO
suppress the rebellion which recently
broke out in the far North are largely due
to the mountainous nature Of the country
through which the troops must pass as
they approach the seat Of the revolt at
Iquitos, in the Department of Loreto. The
latest advices from the military eXpedi-
ton that left Lima in the early part or
June Indicate that If has reached the city
Of Cajamarca. the capital of the depart
ment Of that name. This place lies at a
great height. or at an elevation of 1000
feet above the sea, and the approaches 10
il present obstacles which are Lot easily
surmOunted. The expedition went north
ward by water from Lima. and then adj
Vanced In an casterly direction toward
the rebel stronghold. There IS a long dis
lance to be traversed before Iq4itos can
be reached, and it is probable that the
rebel leader. Colonel Seminario, will OBJ
struct the passage Of the troops through
the dchles OF the Andes. SO great are
the obstacles TO be encountered by the
army along this route that the govern
ment has resorted TO the expedient OF
transporting another military force by sea
around the continent OF South America
to the head waters Of that river, from
which region. it is believed. It would be
easier 10 reach the rebel camp The
President OF Brazil has authorized Peru
10 make use OF brazilian territory IN the
execution of this extraordinary project,
which. however VIII surely be abandoned
in case Colonel Marines expedition shall
be able to reach Iquitos from the west.
AS means OF preventing the success or
the new project the leader Of the rebel
lion has procured three armed steamers,
with which it may be possible for him 10
meet the government expedition up the
Amazon and drive II back before its COM
mander can reach the territory Of Peru,
I'm the northwest. This is d very daring
scheme.
II il be true that the rebel forces at
IquitOs number 5000 men, or even half as
many as that. the government will GER
tainly have 10 double the size Of the two
expedtionary bodies which IT has sent
against them; and this will be a difficult
business, for troops are needed at this
time in other parts Of disturbed Peru.
President Pierola is an energetic admin
istrator, and the Minister Of War; who IS
said TO have taken the field, IS an expe-
rienccd commander: but IL is hardly 10 be
expected that either OF them can operate
10 advantage against the far-ON rebellion
80 long as the whole OF the country is IN
a disturbed condition and apprehensiye OF
a revolution. The rebel leader has boast
ed Of his ability TO repel any force which
the President can send against him. 1t
must be remembered. also. that the gov
eminent Of Peru Is envirOned with finan-
cial troubles, and has had to open an
extra credit I'm Treasury bills for military
expenses. Furthermore, the Peruvian
army Is pervaded with dsOyalty. and
cannot be trusted 10 execute the orders or
it's commanding officers. The men began
10 desert as soon as II became known
that they were required for service against
a domestic enemy.
Those people who are familiar with the
history Of Peru will be particularly in
.erested In the information that Colonel
Marines land expedition has got as far as
the city Of Cajamarca, a place famous In
the DAYS OF the lncas, at which the war
like Inca Atahualpa, was executed by the
garrote. under the authority OF the bloody
Spaniard. PizarrO. The ruins Of the Inca 5
palace. which was situated on a hill OF
porphyry and cut out OF the solid rock.
are yet TO be seen. The houses are built
Of a peculiar mud, and nicely whitewash-
ed. The Catholic churches of the place.
built by the Spanards are Of enormous
dimensions and OF an imposing character.
Tho climate of the region is mild, and the
plain OF the Department OF Cajamarca IS
exceedingly fertile.