No. 248.
Mr. Gibbs
to Mr. Evarts.
Lima, Peru, June 1, 1877. (Received July 9.)
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my previous dispatch, 158, of May 28, relative to the affair of the monitor Huascar.
On the evening of 28th the press published extras stating that the Huascar had arrived at Pisaqua,in the south, and ordered the place to surrender. The forces of the town prepared for a defense, but a party of 80 men from the Huascar, under the cover of her guns, landed, and the town was taken after a skirmish. It appears that Piérola’s design was to penetrate to Tarapaca, in the interior, where it is supposed he has followers.
The government vessels Independence, Union, and Pilcomayo arrived at that port on the 29th and attacked the Huascar, which, according to the official reports, was within rifle-shot of the attacking vessels; the Huascar, under the cover of the night, left, and the town of Pisaqua was reoccupied by the government troops; the national vessels went to the port of Iquique, some 40 miles south. On the 30th the Huascar appeared off the port of Iquique, and sent a flag of truce to the fleet, stating [Page 445] that Her Britannic Majesty’s ships Shah and Amethyst had attacked them (the Huascar) and with which they had fought, and now asked the assistance of the government vessels to assist and fight the English. The commander of the squadron refused, and consulted with the government. The government answered to take the Huascar at all hazards. This news arrived here at Lima at 3 p.m. on the 30th, and it was reported all through the city that the Huascar had been captured by the Shah. Many other rumors were spread around that the Huascar had been driven ashore by the English fleet and the crew captured by the authorities.
A great deal of feeling had been excited in reference to what was called British intervention, and all parties here seem to be united against this so-called interference.
* * * * * * *
At 5 p.m. on the afternoon of the 30th there was much excitement, and the principal streets were filled with small groups discussing the matter. No one thought of Piérola or the revolution; it was a deep rage and passion against the English.
At 8 p.m. the streets around the main square and fronting the palace were filled with groups more or less excited. Some addresses were made, all on the shame cast, as it was thought, on Peru. These groups consisted, as far as I could perceive, of well-dressed, apparently respectable people; in a half an hour afterward I heard cries of “viva Peru” and “death to the English.” Finding the people terribly excited, I returned to the legation.
I was informed that afterward the troops were put under arms and the police force all ready. At 11 p.m. the crowd went to the government house to ask explanations of what had really happened, sending in a commission. They not returning, the mob yelled for the President, who came out on the balcony and made a short address. * * * * The troops were now under arms, surrounding the palace, and their determined appearance stopped all further movement, and long after midnight the crowd gradually dispersed. * * * * * Yesterday, the 31st, in the morning, a proclamation from the prefect was posted around the city. * * * * At midday the following telegram was published by the press in “extras:”
Iquique, May 31—8.45 a.m.
The Huascar has capitulated to the national fleet. Guarantees to the crews. Piérola will not accept any.
This caused great excitement, and many think that it will be the end.
During the afternoon the streets were filled by an excited, moving crowd, troops being posted in many places. A dispute took place between some cavalrymen and citizens, a few shots were fired, and one or two persons slightly wounded.
The main plaza and approaches to the palace were kept clear. At 9 p.m. I passed through the streets, which were mostly deserted except by troops and police patrol, but an ominous silence seemed to be over all.
I have no doubt that the reports and excitement got up yesterday and the evening previous are part of a design to start a revolution or trouble of some kind. Accusations are freely made that the government was in a complot with the British admiral to take the Huascar. These reports are made to injure the government and to inflame the people’s national feeling.
If it had turned out to be true that the Shah had sunk or captured the Huascar, I much fear there would have been an attack on the [Page 446] English residents here, which to the mob would be all foreigners, and some terrible scenes would have been enacted.
Piérola and friends are prisoners aboard of the Independence on their way to Callao.
I am, &c.,