The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-04

THE ATTACK AND'IN SENDING
SPANS CRIPPLED SHIPS AWAY.
From the New York Sun.
on MAY ., 1865, Spain's armada suf-
fered its) final and overwhelming de"
feat on the western coast of South
America. Never again was Spain to
have foothold Oh the continent whore
her possessions had been so vast. a
few United States citizens took part
in that last decisive battle and those
yet living refer to the event, with evil
dent satisfaction, as a triumph of free
dom and pluck against heavy odds.
While making a thorough study of
the Inca antiquities in Peru, DR.. Angus
tus lie Plongeon, now living in Brook
lyn,resided in that country eight years,
and took part in the stirring events.
He gives the following account of
Spains crushing defeat:
"In 1864 a squadron of three Spanish
frigates, of sixty guns, suddenly ap-
pcared at Callao. These ships were the
Villa de Madrid. Commander Gonzalez:
El Triunfo. whose commanders name
l do not recall. and La Blanca, COM
mander TOpete, an uncle of the Span
ish consul general recently in New
York. The fleet was under command
of Admiral Pinzon. allied to MazaredO,
who acted as plenpotentiary. The
officers declared they were on sCion-
tific mission. that their cruise in the
Pacific would extend TO California, and
that their only object in calling at
Callao was to renew friendship with
the Peruvians. After 1921, when Peru
had shaken off the Spanish yoke, it
had had no diplomatic relations with
that country, which had not aCknOwl-
edged its Independence.
Those who have lived among the
Peruvians know how hospitable and
generous they are. The Spaniards were
believed: cordially welcomed as broth
ers who had returned after a prolonged
absence; feted by the best society in
Lima, where banquets and balls were
given in their honor; treated by the
government as ENJOYS Of a friendly
nation, and every facility for learning
all about the country, its public monu-
ments, institutions, and so forth, was
given them.
After eight or ten days, during which
nothing that could make their visit en-
joyabe was omitted, the Spaniards left
tEelr hosts with many hand clasp ana
loudly expressing their wishes for the
prosperity of the republic The officers
salh thHy Wer" going toward California,
ana were seen to start northWard, but
II" sooner were the ships out of sight
lhah th"y changed their course and
went south direct to the Chincha is
lands, whose guano, exhausted i'm 1872
then made them the treasure house OF
Peru' Iher" company of marines
landed surprised the guard Of twenty
nVe indian soldiers, hauled down the
'cruVlah nag ana holSt'd the Spanish
colors' pIocldlmlhg SPAN the owner Of
'iat lahd' ana deciailne war on Peru,
whose W2iShlps as the treaChcrous
NIahiarus had seen. were all dismantl-
eu ana uhIlt Tor service for the coun-
not anticinating any. acor,sgia,, '''''
"heh the action Of III" Spaniards
"eca'ic known IN Lima the indignation
"l thglr generous entertainers knew no
p"uhus' state OF CONSERVATION also
IICN'Heu' Wheh 1t was rumorod that
talloo would be bombarded. General
A"tohlo FeZet' the president, was at
ms Wlts end to know how to regcue
cle islands, so as to fill the contracts
ioi Su"hu' 10 ran to do this would
nave proved exceedingly detrimental to
'He country
IN me council chambers Of the Ca
n'Iio 'Gily nam the foreigners resd-
ing IN Lima held a meeting. at which
.'he traveller George +. SQuires, then
commissioner Of the United States to
Ieru' presided. 1t was resolved that
protest should be sent, in the name
ol the foreign merchants. to Mazaredo.
SPANS plenirot"nliayy, with the fleet
ana on The Chincha islands. against the
Ieacherous action of Spain. This was
uohe' but d'd not produce the desired
result spain was there to insist upnn
tne payment OF an indemnity, ana the
silps uld not move off until one Of them
was mysteriously destroyed.
HOW TN WAC 49,,