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[Page 68]
1914
for the British Red Cross Fund. The Peruvians were distinctly Pro-Ally, & Germans, of whom there are many over every part of South America got a very poor time. Not only were they looked on with scorn, but people refused to buy their goods. The presence of German cruisers off the western coast of South America had practically stopped trade at Callao, with the result that Peru was severely feeling the effects, and therefore our presence was welcomed with great enthusiasm. Our stay was limited to 24 hours, we being compelled to leave by the rules of International law. I returned to Callao from Lima by tram. Callao is the port of Lima, & has a population of about 50,000. The town is rather uninteresting, & evidently exists wholly by means of trade of the port. The Custom House is a fine large building, once an old Spanish fort. There are no trams here, nor, indeed, any mode of public conveyance. As the launch left the jetty many English people thronged to see us off, & wished us luck. Great bundles of newspapers & boxes of cigarettes were sent on board for the men, & even the Peruvians themselves shouted "Good luck, hurrah!" Evidently England & the English are firmly rooted in the affections of the Peruvians.
Dec. 19.
At 5pm we weighed anchor, being afforded an enthusiastic send-off by many hundreds of small boats. Our short visit had done everybody much good, for we had taken in a good supply