No. 448.
Mr. Phelps
to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Lima, September 13, 1883. (Received October 6.)
Sir: The northern departments of Peru have not been as quiet as, they were reported to be by the general-in-chief at the sailing of the last mail steamer north. Partisans of Iglesias and of Montero have had unimportant engagements, the advantage resting rather with the latter, and Chilian detachments have now been sent to the disturbed districts.
While the country is in this distracted and pitiable condition of purposeless internecine strife, there seems no reason to doubt that Iglesias is making and will make progress so long as Chili continues its energetic and effective support; and as information is gained respecting the condition of Peru generally, the thought presses upon me that no government could be established to make peace except such one as the power of Chili may impose for that purpose, and that it matters little how one may be created, it will succumb, as soon as the Chilians withdraw, to the spirit of anarchy pervading the country.
[Page 714]Mr. Gibbs will stop at Arequipa long enough to inform himself of the situation there. As a traveler en route he may be there with less embarrassment than I should necessarily feel.
As now advised, I see no reason to regard the government of Montero as offering guarantees entitling it to present recognition. That there is dissatisfaction at Arequipa itself is manifest, and revolution is quite in order there now. Lima and adjacent towns are very quiet and well policed under Chilian rule.
I have, &c.,