SACKING OF A PERUVIAN TOWN

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 142, 30 July 1880, Page 1 (Supplement)

SACKING OF A PERUVIAN TOWN

A letter received in Liverpool from a firm at Arequipa, gives the following particulars of the capture and sack of Mollendo by the Chilians;—‘At midday on Monday, March 8, news was received in Mollendo by tele!jraph that one of the Chilian ironclads had eft Yerba Buena with two transports for the north, and ot 5 p.m, the Blanco Encalada came in sight, and, passing Mollendo, went into Islay Bay, where the two blockading vessels followed her. That same night the Chilians landed from their transports a force of 2000 men, more or less, in Islay and the inlets of Ohiquas and Matarini, They marched the following day on to Mollendo, under the protection of the guii3 of the Blanco Encalada, O'Higgins, the Covadoiiga, and, without encountering any opposition from the Peiuvians, entered Mollendo, as the small force stationed there —some fifty men of the Guardia National —had retired on Tainbo. The Chilian commanders, on taking possession of Mollendo, stated to the consular corps that private property as also that of neutrals would he protected. This promise was not kept in its entirety, as about a third r f the town lias been burnt, and notably the house of Mr. Woriche, a Spaniard, to which they set tiro three times before effecting their objocf, as the owner, assisted by the foreigners, was able to save it twice. The Chilian's had done great damage to the railway stock, having burnt eighty-four cars, and destroyed the offices, workshops, and machine house. Happily there were no engines in Mollendo, otherwise they would have had "'facility for destroying other parts on the railway. As it is, they have sent troops as far. as Ensenada, where, however, but little harm has been done. In Mejia they have burnt several houses. The Custom-house stores in Mollendo were not burnt, but the doors were burst open, and the troops stole what they chose. All houses the owners of which were absent were sacked, even the officers taking part; aud in many instances occupied houses were not respected. The church was burnt, aud a dimond cross of great value, fon.ing part of the custodia, has been, stolen. Women have also been outraged. Most of the women took refuge in tho several consulates, where they whete safe, though at one time tears were entertained that they also would bo burnt. What aggravates the behavour of the Chilians is that they entered Mollendo without a shot having been fired and, after restaining their troops for over twenty-four hours, they let them loose to sack and burn a defenceless town. • The Chilians embarked on Saturday, the 13th March. Before embarking they set fire to the quay, and destroyed all the lighters and boats; the quay has not been damaged to any extent.’