Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-07-25
CELEBRATION Of
|NDEPE EVIDENCE
Of PERU PLANNED
Centenary of Its Freedom
From Spain viii Be OBJ
served During the Week
of July "a to 81.

Lima, July 24.-Peru, the one
time bulwark of Spanish power and
dominion in the southern continent,
today stands on the threshold of
the Tooth anniversary of its indie
pendence.
During the week of July "a to 81
the land where once the Incas ruled
will celebrate the centenary of It's
freedom from Spain. Virtually all
the leading nations of the world
and a great many of the smaller
ones were invited to help Peru
commemorate the event and the
majority of them accepted. The
United States sent two battleships
carrying a commission.
There will be exhibitions Of do
nestle and foreign manufacturers,
diplomatic receptions and cere-
monies, including the unwilling OF
an equestrian statue of Jose de
San Martin, the Argentine general,
who played a leading part in the
liberation not only of Peru but Of
other South American countries.
1t was on the 2Sth of July, 1921,
that General San Martin, father Of
his native country and of Chile,
declared the independence of Peru
from Spanish rule and sovereignty.
Since the beginning of the nine
tenth century, the ideas of lib
erty grown out of the American
revolution had resulted in the in
dependence of Venezuela, Argen-
tina and Chile from the Spanish
rule, ard in unsuccessful move
cents in Peru. The former coun-
tries obtained their independence,
but Peru remained subject to Span
ish domination.
Knowing that their liberty was
endangered as long as this situa-
ton prevailed, the southern coun-
tries Of South America decided 10
help NJ Peruvian patriots 10 OBJ
tain theirs, and an expedition CT
1000 10 5000 soldiers was organ
ICED ir August, 1920, by General
Jose de son Martin on the coast
of Chile.
Transported by a fleet command
ed by Lord Cochrane, hero of the
Chilean independence, 1t landed
near Pisco, Peru, 100 miles south
Of Lima, the capital, in September,
1920. Greeted by the Peruvian
people as liberators, they found a
propitious field and, after several
military operations, San Martin
and his army entered Lima and
proclaimed the country's independ-
ence.
The nation then, with the same
courage which characterized its
resistance to the conquest of Spain,
set about to make sure forever
that independence. On the ninth
of December, 1924, in the battle
of Ayacucho, the Peruvians deci-
sively defeated the forces of the
Spanish king and gained for Peru
the recognition which she desired.
Seemingly this battle was the sig
nal for the other South American
countries, which in quick succession
cast off the Spanish yoke.
Since then Peru has followed a
rapid and upward process. In the
past forty years it has reached con-
siderable development, which may
be appreciated by the following
figures: In 1887, the foreign COM
merce of Peru amounted to $780,
900, in 1901 it reached total of
100000 and in 1919 1t was
ESQ 100000.
North Americans have been of no
small importance in the. commercial
progress of Peru. In twenty years
hit commerce between Peru and
United States has progressed from
less than f20,000,000 to over
EGO, 100000 in 1919. North Ameri-
can capital has helped to develop
the country's resources. American
banks have been also welcomed
there and are now a very necessary
part of the nations finances and
commerce.
The navy of Peru is being re-
organized and trained by an Amer
can navy commission. Aviation |
has been enthusiastically received. |
Planes and pilots having been i'm
ported from the United States.
In education Americans have |
likewise taken the lead and are
rearranging Peru's system of in
struction. A North American COM
pany has prepared plans for the |
sanitation of their cities, in which |
are included the capital, Lima, and |
the principal seaport, Callao.