The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-05
Policy Not Yet Framed.

Washington, February 4.-The spec
tacuiar and successful revolution in
Peru finds the United states Navy
without a single warship south of the
equator. The work OF the revolution
ISIS was SO complete, however, that
there Is no need of haste in dispa tching
vessel 10 the scene
Later II may become necessary for
the United States to have at hand
means of supporting any representa-
tions that the State Department may.
decide to make, regarding the gov
Billinshurst administration. So far,
though, officials here have not been
aple TO frame any policy News came
TO the department late in the day
from the American legation in Lima of
the arrest OF President Billinghurst,
but the brief dispatch did not Indicate
the plans of the rcvolutionists, and
the Peruvian legation here had no
news at all from the capital.
That some embarrassment NAV he
expected in adjusting the pronounced
views of the administration toward
revolution made governments to the
present state of affairs In Peru was
admitted in some quarters. But 1t was
pointed out that owing TO the peculiar
conditions under which President Bill
inEnurst came into Office year ago
with cloud on his own title, it NAV
not he necessary to raise the question
as to the status Of his successor. Some
officials believe cX-President Leguia,
who was forced by Billinghurst to fee
from Peru some time ago, was behind
to~daH's uprising. Leguia was in Wash
lhgton q icw weeks ago. but at last
reports had gone to London to get ii =
nancial backing for an attempt to over
turn the Biilinghurst government.
Overthrow No Surprise.
hn N
hurst does not come as surprise to
those familiar with the conditions
which have existed In Peru for the past
fourteen months. Almost from the
day OF his inauguration, December -,
1912. Billinghurst has incurred and
kept the distrust OF many and the ha-
tired of not n few of his Subjects"
His first mistake was TO suggest and
lend his influence 10 an attack upon
former President Leguia, who was still
a strong figure in Peruvian politics and
immensely popular with the upper
classes An attack upon the home OF
this aged politician was followed by
his exile to London, where he now re-
sides.
While not n dictator in the accepted
South American version OF that title,
Billinghurst quickly assumed distato-
rial powers. The Cabinet was notori-
ously subservient to him-so much so
III iict, l1dt II WAS SdlQ no paper could
he signed or porter appointed" unless
passed on by the President.
General Enrique Verala. Premier,
and head of the army, who was killed
in to-day's fghting. is described ms an
aged, simple veteran, afflicted with ex-
tremc deafness and without Initiative
for anything other than ordered by his
superior.
AntnGonistic to Americans.
Bill.nghursts antagonism to Ameri-
can interests was another characteriS-
tic deplored by loyal Peruvians. Fore
seeing the great commercial advantages
to follow the opening of the Panama
Canal the vast majority of tho people
desired nothing more than amicable
relations with their great northern
neighbor. the United States. On his
taking office, however, Blllinghurst
Cancelled all existing or pending con-
tracts with Americans. thus giving
cause for further discomfort.
His raid on the public treasury to
connect the Isle of Lorenzo. OFF the
harbor of Callao. with that port. arous-
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