The four years during which President Pardo has governed Peru have been marked by events of the greatest significance, not only in the history of that republic but in the annals of South American politics. The visit of Secretary Root of the United States in 1906 and the passing of the great Atlantic Squadron in 1908, are incidents that deserve to be recorded. Especially is this true as regards Peru. The visit of Secretary Root was more than a part of the programme carried out by that distinguished statesman in his tour of South America. It was, as he himself expressed it, when responding to the spontaneous and generous welcome given him by the Peruvian people, the renewal of an old, constant, and cordial friendship between the Peruvian people and their cousins of the United States. He said: “I have come here, not to look for new friends, but to salute the old ones; not to initiate any new policy, but to follow up the old and honored course; and on coming to South America, responding to the invitations from the different countries, going down by the eastern coast and coming up by the western, to pass by Peru without stopping here would make my trip as incomplete as a representation of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ without the appearance of Hamlet on the stage.” This frank expression of friendship was genuinely appreciated, as it showed that the warm sentiments which found voice in President Pardo’s address of welcome were thoroughly reciprocated. Nothing could have been more pleasing to Mr. Root than the following words, from the president’s speech: “These sentiments of sympathy and admiration shone forth at the dawn of Independence, because the founders of the Great Republic pointed out to our ancestors the way that led to freedom; and they have been gaining strength since the first days of our autonomic existence, owing to the bond which the admirable foresight of another great statesman of your country extended over this American land.” [Illustration: PERUVIAN MARINES.]