SOUTH AMERICA.

Southland Times, Issue 891, 31 January 1868, Page 3

SOUTH AMERICA.

A correspondent -writing from Lima, tinder date I of Not. 21, says : — ( Business continues dull. The revolution ia

spreading, and no satisfactory news has been received from Arequip i. FVars are entertained of the capital being sacked by " Montoneros," lawless bandits who always show thamselves when a revolution breaks oat. Thus the public mind is kept in a constant ferment. On Sunday Senor Androca, the Intendente of Police, now Prefect of Lim*, convened a public meeting at the City Hall, calling upon the merchant?, foreign and native, to form volunteer corps for the defence of the city in the event of its being attacked by the bandits. The meeting was not numerously attended, and only two or three of the heads of foreign commercial houses were present. The Prefect stated that the condition of affairs was puch at present as demanded the formation of such a corps ; and, as there w«re only a small number of police left in the city, all should unite in endeavoring to maintain order, and mutually depend unon each other — regardless of political opinions. He offered to supply the necessary arms, and said that the measures proposed, if carried into effect, would not exonerate the government from responsibility for loss of property arising from an attack upon the city, &c. A committee of five was named to visit the merchants and real estate owners in regard to the matter, but no definite conclusion has been arrived at Private citizens are adverse to undertaking the arduous duty of guarding the city. In Callao a guard has already been formed for the purpose of protecting the place. The steamer from Valparaiso and intermediate ports bring 3no news whatever of importance. A monster sun intended for service against Arequipa. whilst being landel from tho steamer at Tslav. was lost overboard owing to the tackle breaking; engineers have been despatched to Islay for the purpose of recovering it if possible.