Evening star., 1917-10-21
By CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.

@ERU'S break with Germany marks
~ another step in South American
solidarity. 1t closes long
u chapter of intrigue.
The nominal cause of the breaking off
Of diplomatic relations was the failure
Of Germany to give satisfaction for the
sinking of the Peruvian bark Lorton
inside Spanish waters by a German
submarine last February. A German
prise court at Hamburg held that the
sinking was lawful. Had Peru recog-
mixed the finding Of the prize court 1t
would have had no means of redress.
The sinking was similar to the destruc-
tion Of the vessels Of other neutral
nations.
Peru has very few ships that ply the
Atlantic waters, but the government
did not on that account yield any of its
international rights. When the decision
of the prize court was rendered and
Germany refused sat'sfactlon. Peru had
either 70 aegHieEcc CT 20 break off
diplomatic relations. The government,
rejecting the Wishes Of the people
chose tho latter course Since there
were several lnterned German vessels
In Peruvian waters, the government is
now not without the means Of redress
and it is Understood that these vessels
have been seIzsd.
Peru has been the scene OF one of the
most active German propaganda in
srieaes OF any country IN South Ameri-
ca The anti-GerH1an sentiment was
slow in developing. At the same time
q sham pro.German sentiment was
manufactured.
There were reasons why, at the out
break of hostilities, and while the
United States itself was neutral, Peru
snouid maintain neutral attitude.
The country had felt the pressure of
severe economic distress. It's revenues
mad fallen. and in consequence 1t had
70 resort to loans In order to take care
ef previous loans and to provide cur
rent expenses. Neither London nor New
York looked fAvorably on the loan ap-
plication, and ultimately q short-time g
loan was obtained from German bank
efs.
These bankers undoubtedly were en-
coureged by the kaiser's government
20 anofd the accommodation sought.
5eflin expected a return in the way
of pro-German attitude. Its expecta-
IONS were not fully realized, but in
he circumstances the Peruvian gov
ernment did go out of its way to show
sfiendiiness to England and the allies
One purpose Of the German propa-
s.anda was to develop an anti-American
sentiment by critic.sing the neutrality
maintained by the United States A
1ewspaper. which in former years had
1een an influential journal, published
.umerous anti-Amer'can articles. The
disclosure was made that these articles
iere paid for by Germany, the news.
aper itself cynicaily making the ad-
lission. This exposure ended what
,ver influence the articles might have
Peru's policy has been to cultivate
he friendship OF the United States. to
Which 1t has looked for protection
rom possible aggression Of other west
cast countries The great majority
4 the educated Peruvians have been
ro-American. though their expecta-
ions of the active interference Of the
Inited States in behalf of Peru never
ave been encouraged in Washington.
ome OF them may have felt disap-
'ointed enough to lean to Germany.
,ut there were very few of this class.
{ also must be remembered that until
Npril the United States was not at war
With Germany. and was maintaining a
position of neutrality as between the
European belligerents.
The government Of Peru had every
reason to support the Washington poll
Icy after war was entered upon. When
President BillinEhurst was ousted by
a military coup early in 1914. and sent
into exile, no delay was shown on the
part of Washington in recognizing tho
new government. Notwithstanding Pres
dent Wilson's declarations against
evolutionary governments In Latin
.kmerica.
Events showed fhat extending recog-
uition was a wise course. The military
government gradually dissolved into
stvilian authority and later Senior Pardo
yas elected president. He was presi-
lent q dosen years ago. and his return
power was looked upon as the vim
ifcation Of the policies for which he
strAtion has been given consistent
moral support by Washington. The
eeonomle SttuAtion has 6reatly 1na-
peovod. and, wAilo tAAso ksss been