THE WAR IN SOUTH AMERICA.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3615, 28 July 1880, Page 2

THE WAR IN SOUTH AMERICA.

The Panama Star and Herald of the Ist of April publishes a letter from its correspondent at Lima, dated March 17, from which we take the following :—

" Since the discomfiture of the Huascar and Magallanes in the Bay of Arica, on the 27th of February, we liave no further news of active movements in the South. At last advices the Chilians, numbering close upon 14,000 men, were in possession of the city of Moquegua, and their warships and transports were concentrrted in Pacoeha Bay, to be in readiness should any reverse buppen to the land fevces. Above Moqoegua, io the celebrated > mountr'n passes of Lot Angeles, the Peruvians Gave 2,500 solders under the commaol of Coloqel L»yseca. , The Huasopr and Magallanes suffered I more in the affair of the 27th of February than wag at first reported. The Huascar lost about 25' men killed and wounded, among the former, her captain, Don ' Manual Thompson, and two other officers of lower rank. She was struck by the shot from the forts, and the Manco Capac 10 or 12 times, her mizen mast being carried away and several shots hulling her. The Magallanes kept fur- , ther out of the way and escaped injury. Although the batteries and the monitor were not damaged by the Chilian fire, the Angamos with her celebrated JLSOIb. Armstrong gun, stood off at long range, 6,000 metre;, and bombarded the townjj knocking down, it is stated, a good many . houses and killing several women and. children who bad not time to get out of the way. No, notice was given beforehand of this intention to shell the port, but anticipating such a* proceeding Montero and his men posted themselves on the surrounding bills. On the northern coast matters have baan somewhat more animated. On the 14th inst. the Matias Cousiiio and the Amaeonas put in an ap> pearance at the Lobos guano islands, and immediately proceeded to destroy all the loading apparatus, launches and lighters to be found in that place. Not contented with this piece of vandalism, men were ' disembarked acd allowed to plunder the extensive stores of the loading company, which is an English enterprise. The Chilians carried off the governor of the island, Colonel Alayza, the. harbbqr. master, and the few soldiers and jailors at the place. The two ships then pro* ceeded to Eten, a little town pn. the adjacent coast, and without a word of warning fired upon it, throwing five shells into the town itself, and tiro,shots directed against the railway wharfs Fortunately, no one was injured. „At Eton not even a cannon was in position, and it is a matter of doubt whether the echoes of the peaceful little/town; were before awakened by the report of artillery. The question between the bank's "and the Government' has not yet been settled. The banks successfully stood the ran made against. them in consequence :i of the .supreme decree alluding to a possible debt of the State whioh, if paid, would drain their vaults, and- are now waiting the answer to a protest made by them- col* lectively." „"