Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-29

fled the country and Pierola became die
tator. The Chileans having conquered, re-
fused to recognize him, as they knew he
would not consent to give up the rich
nitrate fields, which were the real cause of
the war. They then put up one of their
own tools as president and Pierola was
banished a third time. He fled to France
and did not return until General Caceres
was president in 1856. Caceres was, l am
told, a highway robber of the first magni-
tude. His wife, who was originally a IA
bona, a woman following the army, was
with him in his populations, and concessions
and privileges were sold by them, the funds
pocketed and the money sent to Paris to
be deposited to Caceres' private account
there. Such actions created a strong anti
Caceres party, and Pierola came back to
run for president. Caceres was afraid of
him, and having concealed some guns on
Pierola's estate sent soldiers to find them
and charge Pierola with treason. This was
done and Pierola was brought to Lima and
here confined in the palace. One day a
French lady friend called upon him. She
was admitted. She changed clothes with
Pierola in his cell, and when the guards
had passed out in her clothes and that all
that was left of him were his brown whisk-
ers lying on the floor, where they had
dropped when he had cut them off.
Fought His Way to Power.
Pierola fled to the mountains, raised an
army and declared war. He fought in the
mountains for some time, and months later,
in 1895. appeared before Lima with $500
men and dared President Caceres to come
out and fight him. Caceres had 1000 SOL
l 1inrc htf hn fortiHnI Tho ntt,, aud p,,snn N
inside. One morning at daybreak Pierola
broke through the guards, and, with his
troops, made his way right up to the front
of the palace. There was an engagement,
and he was driven back a block or so to the
square of the MERGED church. Here he tore
up the pavement and made barricades. He
put his cannon in the church towers, and
for three days Lima was filled with fight
ing soldiers. The stores were all closed.
The people did not dare to venture out OIL
the streets. and such as showed their faces
at the windows were fired at by the Caceres
soldiers. Caceres was not at all popular
with the people, and many of his officers
were shot from the second story windows
by those who sympathized with Pierola
At the end of the third day the foreign
legations took the matter in hand, ant
'oiu SaNelto N ieNoiuiioh must sup
Pierola's men said that they would cut the
water pipes and fire the town II Cacere!
did not abdicate, and, between the two
Caceres was forced out of Office, and a pro
v~isional government appointed until al
election could be had. At this election
Pierola was chosen president by an over
whelmipg majority. This was about tw'
years ago, and he has still almost two year
to serve. When he goes out one OF hi
men will probably take his place. thougl
1 am told hat Caceres is now in Bueno
Ayres plotting how he may again get int
power.
Why the Peruvians Are Poor.
Peru is one of the richest countries on tn
face of the globe, and today the Peruvian
are comparatively among the poorest OF pee
pies. / say comparatively, for they hay
| been so wealthy that what seems poverty
them would still be riches TO others. BY III
r Peruyians | mean the aristocracy and th
ruling classes. The people who own Per
/ arc chiefly those OF Spanish descent. Son
A OF these are crossed with the Indians, b.
the chief property holders and the men WI
have now and have always had the cream
e the country are the pure whites. These al
5 very few. Nowhere In the world will ye
I find such a condition as has always exist'
in this country. There are in Peru abo'
5000, o0Q people, or about as many as In u