File No. 823.00/118.
The Peruvian Minister to the Secretary of State.
Washington , February 5, 1914 .
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am in receipt of a cable despatch from Lima stating that public opinion and the action of the army in enforcing respect to the Constitution had brought about a change in the Government; that President Billinghurst had resigned the presidency; and that the Senate and House of Deputies jointly by an unanimous vote had entrusted the Executive power to a Provisional Junta of Government composed of the following personnel: President of the Junta and Minister of War and Marine, Colonel Oscar Benavides; Minister of the Interior, Señor Arturo Osores; Minister of Finance, Señor José Balta; Minister of Justice and Education, Senor Rafael Grau; Minister of Public Works, Senor Benjamín Boza; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senor Jose Matfas Manzanilla.
The Junta has sworn allegiance to the Constitution, and entered upon its duties as the Executive Power of the Republic; the situation is once more normal and general confidence prevails.
The members of the Provisional Junta represent the different political parties in Congress, and consequently its constitution will be well received by the nation.
Accept [etc.]