Taiban Valley news., 1921-09-09

Pezuela, the last of the Al legally constituted vice
rOys of Peru, reported that the whole country was
ripe for rebellion. and that, although he realized
the danger, he unable TO take effective precau-
tOnary means, since he could in no way foretell
from what direction the blow would come. The
royal troops mt his disposal amounted to 23OO men
1915 in Lima and Callao; S4S5 quartered at Cuz-
co, Arequpa. and NauXa; 5000 in upper Peru and
100 at Pisco and Caneta the coast.
So it was that preparations to free Peru from
Spain were largely made in distant Buenos Aires.
IL 1914 General de San Martin began the task Of
creating the "Andcs Army" his plan of campaign
being Ia march across the Andes to Chile. Jan
uary Il, 1877 he began his march, with 2G0 resl
mental officers and 2.j00 foot soldiers. There
three divisions under Generals Las Heras, Al
varadO and COnde. There were 600 horses and
9,2S1 mules with supplies and equipment
The army. crossing through Uspaata pass Q2.-
500 feet) entered Santiago in February. The bat
tie of Mapu. April , ended Spanish power in
Chile. Then san Martin Induced the Cheans to
gather fleet without which successful invasion
of Peru could not he made.
Lord Cochrane, British nobeman with dis
tinguished naval record, accepted command of the
fleet and hosted his flag on the O'Higgins Decem-
ber 22, 1918. All the ships were commanded by
British officers; the exception was Captain
WOrster, an American. After several cruises and
some minor fighting the fleet returned to Val
paraisO in December. 1919. by this time General
de San Martin nearly ready to embark having
obtained aid from the foreign merchants of Buenos
Aires. In August of 1920 he had at Valparaiso
a force of 4500-fve infantry battaOns and two
regiments of cavalry
August II General de San Martins expedition
sailed frcm Valparaiso Lord Cochrune in command
of the feet. September the troops landed in Par
accas bay. After II successful expedition to the
interior, San Martin re-embarked and established
headquarters to the north of Lima.
San Martin had wisely chosen his headquarters
as near the capital possible On December 3,
1920 an entire Spanish battalion, $50 strong con
sistng chiefly Of COlOmbians, went over to the pa
triOts and, shortly afterwards 80 Peruvian officers
and number of cadets arrived from Lima San
Martins line extended from the sea to Say
an, distance Of about 20 miles the Spanish army,
under Pezuela occupying position about miles
north of Lima. Early In 1871 discomfort arose
among the officers in the Spanish army, and on
the 10Th of January. insubordnate letter signed
by all Of the generals addressed to the vice
roy. calling upon him to resign and to deliver his
command to Gen. Jose de la Serna. Pezuela had
alternative hut to obey says the Bulletin OF the
Pan-American Union.
Immediately after the deposition of the yiceroy
San Martin raised the first battalion of Peruvians
Regardless of the irregularty de Ia Serna was de.
clared vceroy, being eventually recognized by the
Spanish government. and emssary arrived
from Spain to ascertain the demands of the patrl-
OTIS and arrange compromise. San Martin. de-
caring an armistice of 20 days proposed as
basis Of peace recognition of the independence OF
the country, the establishment of provisional con-
stltution until the election of a congress and the
ascension of Il Bourbon prince to the throne OF
Peru. The new vicerOy assented, but his generals
insisted upon the rejection of these proposals The
negotiations were discontinued In May
Soon after this the royallsts found 1t necessary
to evacuate the coast, being without ships and
cut off from all means of communication. The
rOyalst general. Canterac marched into the in
terror in June. while the yicerOy, having garrfsOned
and provlsoned Callao castle (Which In September
surrendered 10 the ProtectOr) left Lima, July g.
On the night Of July o, Gen. san Martin entered
the capital OF Peru and on July 49, 1921, the In.
dependence 0f Peru was proclaimed. San Martin
being unanimously acclaimed Protector This Of
flee he held until the establishment of the Peruvi-