Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-12
UNITED STATES AND PERU
Secretary Names Instructions
Ministers Hurlbut and
fitzpatrick.


inc the instructions given our Ministers to
Peru md Chill, last summer, are furnished
for publication by the Secretary of State,
with the approval of the President:
WAsHINGrON, May, 9.
To j. p. Christiancy, Esq, Lima,
Sir-In your latest dispatch you informed
this department that the Gillian government
refused absolutely to recognize General Pieo-
la As representing civil authority in Peru,
and that Senior Calderon was at the head Of
the provisional government. If the Calderon
government is supported BY the character
and intelligence of Peru, and is really en-
deavoring to restore the constitutional gov
eminent, with view both to domestic order
and negotiation with Chilli for peace, you
may recognize it as the existing provisional
government and render what aid you can by
advice and good offices to that end. Gilmore
has been received bv me as the confidential
agent of such provisional government
l am, sir, ETC.,
(Signed) Jas. G. BLAINE.
Note-In pursuance of this instruction,
Christiancy on the Goth of June, 81, formally
recognized the Calderon government, several
weeks in advance of the arrival of General
Hurlburt at Lima.
WASHINGTON, June 10.
To Stephen A. Hurburt, Esq.
.
the DISCRIMINATION of its government, and
absence of precise and reliable information
as to the state of affairs now existing in that
unhappy country, render it impossible to give
YOU instructions as full and definite as
would desire.
Judging from the most recent dispatches
from our ministers, you will probably find on
the part of the Gillian authorities in posses
sion of Peru, a Willingness to facilitate the
establishment of a provisional government,
which has been attempted by Senior Calderon.
If so, you will do all you properly can to en-
courage the1Peruvians tolaccept any reason
able conditions and limitations with which
this concession may be accompanied.
1t is vitality important to Peru that she be
allowed to resume the functions of native
and orderly government, both for the pur-
poses of internal administration and the ne
gotiations of peace. TO obtain this end, it
would be far better to accept conditions
which may be hard and unwelcome, than be
demanding too much to force the continuance
Of the military contract of Chill.
1t is hoped that you will be able in your
necessary associations with the Gillian au-
thorities, to impress upon them that the more
liberal and considerate their policy, the surer
it will be to obtain lasting and satisfactory
settlement.
The Peruvians are certainly aware of the
sympathy and interest of the people of the
United States, and feel confident will be
prepared to give to your representations the
consideration to which the friendly anxiety
of this government entities them. The e.
$. cannot refuse to recognize the rights which
the CHILEAN government has acquired by the
successes of the war. And it may be that
the accession of territory will be the neces-
sary price to be paid for peace. 1t would
seem to be injudicious for Peru to declare
that under no circumstances could the loss
of territory be accepted as the result of nego-
tiations.
The great objects of the provisional au-
thorities of Peru would seem to be to secure
the establishment of a constitutional govern
ment, an next, to succeed in the opening of
negotiations for peace without the declaration
of preliminary conditions, as an intimation
on either side. 1t will be difficult, perhaps
to obtain this from Chill, but as the CHILEAN
government has distinctly repudiated the idea
that this was war Of conquest the govern
ment Of Peru may fairly claim the opportu-
nifty to make propositions of indemnity and
guar antee, before submitting to the accession
of territory.
As far As the influence of the United States
~ill 60 in Chill, it will be exerted to induce
the Chilian government to consent that the
question Of the cession OF territory should be
the subject of negotiations and not the con-
dtion precedent upon which alone the nego-
tiatiOn shall commence. If.you can aid the
government of Peru in securing such re-
suit, you will have rendered the service
which seems most pressing.
Whether it is in the power of the Peruvian
government to make any arrangement at
home or abroad, singly or with the assistance
of friendly powers which will furnish the
necessary indemnity, or supply the required
guarantee, you will be better able to advise
after you have reached your post.
As YOU are aware, more than one PROPOSE
ton has been submitted to the consideration
of this government, looking to a friendly in
tervention by which Peru might be enabled
to meet the conditions which would prob
ably be imposed. Circumstances do not
seem, at present, oppOrtune for such action,
but if upon full knowledge of the condition
of Peru you can inform this government
that Peru can devise and carry into practical
effect plan by which all the reasonable
conditions of Chill can be met without sac
ri6cing the integrity of the Peruvian terri
tory, the government of the United States
would be willing to tender its Offices to for
ward the execution of such project. As a
strictly confidential communication. en-.
close you copy of the instructions sent this
Gay 10 tne u D Minister AT santiago. You
will thus be advised of the position which
this government assumes toward all the par
ties to this lamentable conflict. 1t is the de-
sire Of the United States to act in a spirit OF
the sincerest friendship to the three republics,
and so use its influence solely in the interest
of an honorable and lasting peace.
am, sir, etc,
(Signed) JAS. G. BLAINE.
WASHINGTON, June Is. 1881.
Judson Fitzpatrick, Esq, etc. etc,
Sir-The unfortunate condition of the rela
tons existing between Chill and Peru makes
the mission Of the duties upon which you
aIe now entering one Of grave responsibility
and great delicacy. Difficult as would be any
Intervention of the United States under ordi-
nary circumstances, our position is further
embarrassed by the failure of the conference
at africa, undertaken at our suggestion.
1t is evident from the protocols of the con-
ference that Chill was prepared to dictate.
and not discuss the terms of peace. and that
the arbitration of the United States upon any
questions of difference with the allied pow.
ers Of Peru and Bolivia was not acceptable
and would not be acceptable BY the Chilian