President Pardo, with the consent of Congress, left this city a few days
since, that he might in person be near enough to supervise about four
thousand soldiers, composed of cavalry, artillery, and infantry. No decisive
action has taken place 5 the revolutionary forces have retreated from
Moquegua to Torata, the mountainous region south of Arequipa, where it is
said they have taken up a very strong position. Pierola, who is the leader
of this movement, was formerly secretary of treasury under the
administration of the late President Balta, and is said to have large
amounts of money at his command. This city is quiet, and is well guarded at
night by volunteer organizations, in aid of the police and that part of the
army left in their barracks.
There would appear to be no reasonable doubt of the overthrow of this
rebellion but for the uncertainty of the fidelity of the forces of the
government. Those who have the best opportunity to judge have confidence in
the troops. But, as the soldiers are seized and forced into the service, it
is not unreasonable to apprehend that portions of the troops of the
government may, as in time past, join in the rebellion.
[Inclosure in No. 140.]
The revolution.
[From the “South Pacific Times.”]
The following extracts are made from numerous letters received from
different parts of the republic:
Arequipa, November 20. 1874.
Late on the 19th the President, with his accompaniment, left Moll
en do for this city. On arriving at Tambo, at 11 p.m., the train
was immediately surrounded by a crowd, of about a thousand
persons. A deputation of the inhabitants waited on him, and one
of their number, Señor Ponce, delivered the following
address:
“Your Excellency: The inhabitants of Tambo, having heard that you
were about to visit the department of Arequipa, have wished to
meet you, to express their gratitude and their uniform and
decided sentiment of adhesion to your government. You must not
be surprised that more are not present. The late hour at which
we come to salute you and the suddenness of your visit, of which
Ave were almost ignorant, has prevented many attending this
spontaneous manifestation. But you may rest assured that we all,
both absent and present, desire the consolidation of public
order, and the prosperity of the country, under the auspices of
your honorable government. During the last election we sustained
the candidature which triumphed at the election of the 2d of
August, 1872; and, firm to our vote and our opinions, we shall
sustain with patriotism the government which to-day represents
legality and order. The only thing we desire is that you will
arm us, and send us to the place of danger to suffocate the
seditious outburst of those who, when in power, outraged the
institutions of the country. The people of Tambo expect your
excellency will not forget their patriotic
desires.”
President Pardo answered:
“I am obliged to
you for your fervent sympathies in defense of order and the
institutions of the nation, which, during my government, I have
endeavored to retain intact, since I know that all our future
depends on them. I always believed the citizens of Peru would
refuse all connivance with those few who wish to ruin the
country in order to achieve their own fortunes. This conviction
is confirmed by the patriotic unity which all exhibit in
combating the revolution; and your action is the more
satisfactory, because it is an honor to the nation and a
powerful assistance in its consolidation. I was convinced that
the people of Tambo would not be the last to offer their sons in
defense of our institutions, and I know that those who gave
their co-operation for the triumph of the civil candidature
would demonstrate on every opportunity that their enthusiasm was
not a mere passing one, but the result of deep-rooted
convictions. If necessary, the government will give you arms. I
desire the termination of the revolution without the sacrifice
of life. Those who surrender in time will be [Page 996] received with open arms. But if
the lives of some and the tears of their relatives become
indispensable, the government cannot recede from the sacrifice
without becoming a traitor to its mission. It must use every
effort to quell the rebellion; if possible, peaceably; if not,
by force.”
After this interruption the train proceeded on its journey, but, owing to
frequent delays, did not arrive in Arequipa until 9 a.m. An immense
number of persons had surrounded the station, and on his excellency
appearing he was enthusiastically cheered. Numbers of the populace
pressed round him to shake hands, and it was with difficulty Prefect
Osma and the other authorities could approach to pay their respects. The
streets were thronged, and the President finally found himself compelled
to take one of the tram-cars to get away from the station. The houses
were all decorated, and the 4th, 10th, and 11th guards, with the boys
from the training-school, formed the guard of honor. On reaching the
principal square, the clergy of the diocese met him, and, after
receiving him under their canopy, marched in procession with him to the
cathedral, where a solemn Te Deum was sung. After the religious ceremony
his excellency addressed those present as follows:
“People of Arequipa, since my installation in
the chief magistracy I have ardently desired to shake your
hands. The constant labors of the government and the
uninterrupted threats of revolutions have not allowed me until
now to visit this city, rendered so celebrated in our history by
your energetic and valorous character. Even to-day I should not
have fulfilled these desires had it not been necessary that the
personal presence of the chief of the state should second and
assist the spontaneous rising of the populace on behalf of
order. I care not to flatter pride or passion I believe I serve
better the interests of the country and fulfill more honorably
the sacred mission confided to me, by speaking frankly and
sincerely. Only military politicians (caudillos) who seek power by ignoble means are capable
of offering to the populace promises which they have neither
intention to fulfill nor means to realize. For this reason I
feel convinced that the movement commenced in Moquegua by the
Talisman expedition will obtain no assistance in the rest of the
republic, and that it will be extinguished by the indifference
with which it has been regarded. The government desires that
continued peace shall render the constitutional guarantees a
fact, and it has given many proofs of its profound respect for
those guarantees, and its wish to render practicable the
exercise of every political right. This is one of the reasons
why both government and populace to-day combat the revolution,
which, in its origin, programme, and men, possesses no political
significance, and socially can only be looked on as a crime
deserving the severest condemnation. The government believes
that peace will be maintained and that all the towns, like
Arequipa, will lend their co-operation in the work. There are
means provided by law, without the necessity of appealing to
violence, by which to advocate and bring about reforms. You
yourselves were witnesses of this fact when, two years ago, the
actual government was legally elected. Those who do not adopt
legal measures, but resort to violence, prove thereby that they
have not the support of the majority, and any revolution which
is not based on that support lacks even the least probability of
triumph.”
This speech was frequently interrupted by cheers, and, during the
remainder of the day, whenever the President appeared in public, he was
surrounded by the populace.
It is rumored to-day that the plan for the attack on Torata will be
definitely settled to-morrow. One division will leave to-morrow or the
next day to attack the camp of the rebels in the rear, from some higher
hills in the vicinity. It is supposed this division will consist of the
Ayacucho, Zepita, and Dos de Mayo battalions, and the Tenth Guards.
The Pierolists have seized forty mules belonging to private individuals,
and carried them off.
It is said that Rivarola’s outposts and the pickets of the enemy keep up
a continual exchange of shots.
Alto de Villa, near
Moquegua
,
November 18,
1874.
I take advantage of a few spare moments to let you know our
situation. On the 15th we entered Moquegua without opposition, the
enemy having retired to Torata, and we followed on to Alto de la
Villa, where we now are. Yesterday we had a skirmish with Escobar’s
force, which is in position on a ridge called Los Angeles, and which
resulted in four killed and various wounded of the enemy, without
casualty on our side. Our troops are enthusiastic and determined,
and are examples of morality and valor. I am confident my second
communication will inform you of a victory, for the men on the other
side are recruits and do not know how to fire, as is proved by the
lengthy skirmish yesterday, in which not one of our men was
hurt.
The division of Colonel Rivarola is still at Alto de la Villa,
determined to break up the force of those who wish, to disturb our
tranquillity and abolish our guarantees. [Page 997] This news has been brought by the Huanaco,
which has been repaired, as also the Ho and Moquegua engines. The
repairs on the line were somewhat heavy, but they have been
effected, and now rails have replaced those which had been taken
away. The rebels occupy three positions: the forced recruits in
Torata, and the volunteers in the plain of Arras trado and the hill
Los Angeles—the latter being the outpost. They can do nothing;
laborers are not soldiers, and I am sure will he beaten by the
government troops, who understand their arms and are well
disciplined. The men commence to desert from the rebels and to hide
in the plantations after passing Huaracane Hill. Pierola is believed
to have 800 men.
