Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1880

No. 534.
Mr. Christiancy to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
Lima, Peru, April 18, 1880. (Received May 17.)

No. 157.]

Sir: Though scarcely able to be out of my bed, yet, as events are becoming interesting here, I make this effort to keep you informed.

Referring to my last dispatch in reference to the progress of the war (No. 156) I will say that since that dispatch the diplomatic corps have had two meetings, and at the meeting yesterday all unanimously approved and signed the communication to the Chilian admiral, a copy of which I here inclose with translation.

The third point is understood to apply at present to the city of Lima, six miles from the bay of Callao (but it might be reached by shot from very long-range guns from the bay of Chorillos, say five miles, the intention to do which has been declared), and of course generally to all other towns due notice of the bombardment of which shall not have been given.

I will further say that immediately after my last dispatch, No. 156, at a meeting of the ministers of England, France, and Germany, and the chargé d’affaires of Italy, it was unanimously resolved that the notice of the blockade given by the Chilian admiral applied only to Callao.

Knowledge of this resolution was, I suppose, conveyed to the Chilian admiral, when he declared that the notice was intended to apply also to the towns of Chorillos, Miraflores, and Magdelena; but I am satisfied from information received through the British minister, who, as well as the commander of the English naval vessels here, seems to be on very friendly terms with the Chilian admiral, that the Chilian fleet do not intend to fire upon the three latter towns unless provoked by hostile demonstrations therefrom, though the blockade will apply to them.

The regular line of English mail steamers (upon which we all have to rely for our mails north and south) is no longer permitted to enter Callao. But the port of Ancon (20 miles north) is as yet open, and a steamer from there to Panama is expected to leave on the 22d, by which I expect this to go.

On the 20th, at 12 m., we expect the bombardment upon Callao to commence. The Chilians have eight vessels here, among which are the Blanco Encalada, the Huascar, and the Angamos, and it is believed they will have more before the attack is commenced. Our consul, Mr. Clayton, has, with my advice, removed the archives of the consulate on board the Onward to await the result.

* * * * * * *

I have, &c.,

I. P. CHRISTIANCY.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 157.—Translation,]

Lima, April 17, 1880.

The undersigned, after reading the note of Admiral Riveros to the consular corps of Callao, are convinced that, in conformity to his declarations, the chief of the blockading squadron, on making use of the rights of war, coinciding with his own interest, is aware of the rights due to neutral individuals and their properties. Nevertheless, the correspondence between Admiral Riveros and the consular corps leaving some points uncertain, they deem it their duty, in order to protect the interests of those under their charge, as well as to cover their responsibility towards their respective governments, to make the following declaration:

1st. That they reserve all questions in regard to the damages which maybe caused, without military necessity, to the persons and property of neutrals.

2d. That they especially make these reservations in case of the bombardment of open and undefended localities.

3d. They do so likewise in the case of a bombardment of a town not expressly designated in a previous notification.

The undersigned hope that the Chilian admiral will be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of these reservations, and avail themselves of this occasion to offer him the assurance of their high consideration.

The minister of Ecuador:

J. DE T. PINTO.

The minister of the Argentine Republic:

JOSÉ DE URIBURU.

The minister of France:

E. DE VORGES.

The minister of the United States:

I. P. CHRISTIANCY.

The minister of Great Britain:

SPENCER ST. JOHN.

The minister of Germany:

V. GRAMATZKI.

Chargé d’ Affaires of Italy:

J. B. VIVIANI.

Chargé d’Affaires of Brazil:

MELLO EL ALVIM.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 157.—Translation.]

Admiral Riveros to the diplomatic corps

April 18, 1880.

The undersigned has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the esteemed collective note, dated yesterday, which the honorable diplomatic corps of Lima has been pleased to address to him.

That valuable communication has for object to establish declarations and reservations on the following points:

1st. In case that the persons and property of neutrals will be damaged without military necessity.

2d. In case of the bombardment of open and undefended localities.

3d. In case of the bombardment of a town not expressly designated in a previous notification.

The undersigned, while sustaining the declarations and communications which, in the proper opportunity, addressed to the honorable consular corps of Callao, and to the commanders of the naval forces of neutrals in this harbor, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of that respectful note, placing to the knowledge of the honorable gentlemen who signed it that, by the first opportunity, he will make it his duty to transmit the original to the Supreme Government of Chili.

The undersigned commander thinks proper to repeat here his declaration that, as far as the necessities of war and his instructions will permit, he will never forget the duties which the principles of humanity impose upon him, and the respect due to those who have not the character of belligerents.

The undersigned has the honor to offer, &c.,