The sun., 1919-07-21
SAVED PERU'S LIBERTY.
LEGUZA'S PROBABLE STAND
Provisional President Seems to Have Strong Case
Against Deposed Dctator-Favors Friendly
Foreign Relations.

another Leguia newspaper was being
printed, and closed II. Not only did
they do that but they also arrested Mr..
Southwell and held him incommunicado
for three days. Mr.. Southwell had
nothing whatever to do with the editing
OF the Leguia newspapers. He merely
rented to the editors the use Of his
printing plant
Americana Plant Wrecked.
The British Charge d'Affaires imme-
diately made protestations to the Peru
Wan Government and Mr.. Southwell was
released. but the British Government
officials, It is understood, let II BIO known
that a suitable apology would be de-
manded. Having closed the printing
plant and arrested the owner. the
Pardo Government discovered that 1t
had stirred UP another international
complication. Mr.. Southwell also prints
the West Coast Leader, an English Ian
guage weekly published by w. s. Grif-
hs, an American and president Of the
American Society of Peru. Mr.. Griffis
could not issue his weekly so he APP
pealed to Mr.. McMillin, the American
Minister. Mr.. McMillin made represen-
tations TO the Foreign Office and as a
result tho keys of the printing plant
WcT6 tuTntu over 10 Dut IL WIS
discovered that the police in closing up
the printing shop had also partially
wrecked It.
In the meantime Bravo had appealed
to the Superior Court for q writ Of
habeas corpus against tho police, de-
manding that they turn back his news
paper to him. The Superior Court
granted II and ordered the police to
vacate Ell TEMPO. This they refused
to do on the advice OF tho Pardo Ad-
ministration. Then Bravo carried his
appeal to the Supreme Court of the
country. which also ordered the imme-
date restitution of his newspaper. The
Minister OF Government, Oscar Mavila,
on receiving the mandate refused to obey
1t, declaring that the existence of social
order was at stake and that therefore
in such a crisis tho Government must
have recourse to an article Of the law
Of 1897, which makes the findings Of the
Supreme Court in certain instances sub
ject to review by Congress.
Following this suspension Of the priv
ilege of a free press and the develop
ment of strikes and riots, Leguia moved
swiftly to overthrow Pardo and to pre-
vent the wave of unrest that was swell
ing rapidly into every semblage of a
revolution from breaking.
More Than 100 Killed in Riots.
Mr.. Leguia's most critical domestic
problem appears to be economic. Peru,
like the Argentine and Chile, is chating
under the inflated cost of existence
and the remedies demanded by the strik-
ers who held sway in the centres OF
the country for a period OF two weeks.
have by no means been applied. Mr..
Pardo was engaged in drawing up a
programme to meet conditions when he
was orerthrown. This task now de-
wolves on Leguia- He has one great
advantage-that Of the confidence OF
the people and their belief in his hon
esty and sympathy for their plight.
How serious the riots and strikes
were while they lasted may be Judged
from the fact that in FIVE days OF riot
Ing over 100 persons were killed in Lima
and Callao, several hundred were
wounded, approximately one million dol
lars worth OF property was destroyed
and some five hundred persons were ar
rested. During the days of May IS
and 20 the mobs practically controlled
the cities OF Callao and Lima. looting
and burning 200 stores--mostly "fondas,"
or small Chinese food shops. Some OF
the big foreign houses were attacked,
among them the Office OF w. r. Grace
& Co, which, however, suffered but lit
tie damage.
But, although he restored order, the
strikers gained a tremendous victory.
They learned for the FIRST time in Peru
how effective organized effort can be,
and unless measup<, looking toward
shorter hours OF labor, better housing
conditions and higher wages are enact
ed. business men believe there will be
repetition OF the outbreaks.
Mr.. Leguia, il Is understood. Is Civ
Ing this matter his closest attention,
and he will soon endeavor to have Con-
sress pass measures looking toward
the establishment of public markets.
the control OF the price OF foodstuffs
and more expert method of distribute
ing to tho urban centres the food prod
uCts OF the country