National Republican., 1881-12-22
wAsnlNGroN, D. C, DECEMBER %, 1881.
Population Of the National Cap 100000
Amuscmcnts Tonight.
NArtoSAL THEATRE--Jotta--"B Bob"
The InternntionnI Codlln and short.

In his "Old Curiosity Shop" Dickens
gives us an entertaining account of the
tender solicitude of two vagabonds
named Goblin and Short for Little
Nell" and the motives which inspire
them. They imagine that the little
child has been stolen by the old man
with whom she is wandering through the
country (but who is really her grand
father, and they keep in her company
as long as possible in the hope of secur
ing the reward which they expect to see
offered for her return to her home Short
is crusty and forbidding, though anxious
to inspire Nell with confidence Goblin,
as his name indicates is persuasive and
philanthropic. In order that the child
may bear testimony 20 his prior claim to
the anticipated reward, the latter i'm
proves every occasion to draw her apart
and to say: Remember that it is Goblin
that is your friend, and not Short"
Peru is to-day the Little Nell" among
nations There is money TO be made out
of her distress. The Peruvian guano and
nitrate deposits are about all she has
with which to ransom herself from Chill
ian captivity. These she finds are being
fought for by corporate Goblin and a
corporate Short. There is Peruvian
Company" and there is Credit Indus
trel," each anxious to eXtricatc Peru from
the clutches of Chill and secure the re-
ward for thus rescuing Little Nell The
representative at Washington of the late
provisional government of Peru, Mr.. FL
more, informs the public that:
Valid and solemn contracts exist between the
government of Peru and most honorable and
powerful financial society of Paris called the $50
cicte de Credit lndustriel ct Commercial" Among
these contracts are those of January Z, 1880, and
February !, 1884, which are intended to secure the
payment of the foreign creditors of Peru and other
national debts by placing in the hands of the
Credit Industrel the management and working
ofthe Peruvian guauo and nitrate deposits. Now,
in consequence of these legal national contracts,
negotiations between the said Credit Industriel
and Peru were begun more than year ago (of
which both Secretary Evarts and Secretary Blaine
ms well ms the Chilian government, were advised
with the object of aflOrdng to Peru means of sat
isiyng the rightfu claims of Chilli in respect to
war indemnity without sacrificing the integrity of
Peruvian territory.
The Peruvian Company Mr.. Elmore
condemns and repudiates. Let us hope
that he does not overestimate the worthi-
ness of the Credit Industriel" of Paris,
to find it at last only a Goblin, as the
Peruvian Company is probably Short.
If Peru settles with Chilli through brokers
they will not be likely to forego their
commissions. Peru is without govern
mcnt. We have one Minister there
mourning the kidnapping of Calderon,
and another on his way to find a success
sor to that unfortunate gentleman.
Which of the conflicting commercial in
terests, if either, shall dominate in the
next Peruvian government may depend
somewhat on whether Goblin or Short
shall exhibit the most enterprise in TAX
ing care of Little Nell.
1t would be high achievement if our
Government could find means of protect
ing Peru not only from dismemberment,
but also from evisceraton, of which per-
haps she stands in equal danger. She
needs the helping hand of Il friend strong
enough to command the respect of her
enemy and fair enough not TO excite the
Jealousy of that enemy. 1t is unfortunate
that so much zeal has been exhibited for
the claim of Landreau. 1t has seemed
rather untimely than improper. A sim
pie notice to Chill that she must consider
Landreaus possible rights in any ceded
territory might have been enough. Too
much "yigor" in that direction was sure
to be construed into advocacy.
Let us hope that Mr. Trescot's known
diplomatic skill may enable him to
secure Chili's countenance for Peru
vian government which shall represent
Peru only and be equally free from pri-
yate and foreign control.