Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-04-27
THIRD EDITION.
EvEN'a. APRIL AZ, Iee2
BLOOD ON THE MOON.


of Mr.. Belmont's cross examination
most exciting and unusual scene occurred
in the foreign affairs committee room
Mr.. Blaine stated that as Mr.. Belmont
after being warned on Monday, had per
sisted in entirely misquotlng bis dis
patches and putting upon them a con
struction utterly foreign, he was com.
| PEELED to change his opinion of him
| which had heretofore been that he was a
gentleman.
An exciting colloquy ensuei, which
the committee were unable to interrupt.
Mr.. Belmont intimated that ho would deal
with Mr.. Blaine in private and followed IT
up with the words. 81 believe that ycu
are bully and a coward" Mr.. Blaine,
addressing the committee and ignoring
Mr.. Belmont, replied: "Mr. Chairman,
this young man has disgraced himself.
He has been put forward by those who are
behind him to insult me, but he is iGcapa-
ble of doing So"
The scene was a most remarka able one,
and Notwithstanding the efforts of the
chairman to smooth the troubled waters
and Obviate the necessity for any misun-
derstanding, the impression prevailed at
the adjournment of the meeting that the
dispute had by no means ended. 1t is the
subject of comment upon all sides this
afternoon.
The Scene in Detail.
WASHINGTON, April 27-A great crowd
assembled and desired to obtain admission
to the meeting of the foreign affairs com-
mitteee to-day, but none but members of
Congress and of the press were permit.
ted to enter. Even with this restriction,
every seat in the room was occupied and
standing room was at premium.
Mr.. Belmont resumed his examination
of ex Secretary Blaine by calling his atten-
tion to discrepancy in statement yes
terday-as to the use Of the word "0fi-
ciar" by Mr.. Evarts. Blaine explained
that Evarts in one case used the word and
in another case omitted it, and added that
it was of little consequence. Belmont was
about to proceed, when Blaine in a some
what excited manner called the attention
of the committee to the roundabout way
of Belmont's questioning; that he (Bel-
mOnt)had made Interpretations of Blaine's
dispatches and attempted by his course of
questioning to vindicate himself for
having made the blunder.
The chairman expressed his reluctance
to put any restriction upon the course of
the examination and hoped Mr.. Blaine
would exercise patience.
Another scene here occurred, which was
started by Belmont remarking that
Blaine was trying to avoid the issue.
Blaine angrily inquired what issue, but
Belmont also in an angry tone said he
would refuse to answer any further ques
tions of the witness, because lie Lad at
tempted to place him { Belmont in a
false position, and added that he would not
now show witness any consideration, as
he had now placed himself on level with
any other witness.
Blaine (angrily)-"What do you mean?'
BelmOnt-"Thew witness had attempted
to threaten he had due experience before
the committee ard attempted to threaten,
but he will not do it to me-"
Blaine-"I have no more regard for
your insOlencc than | have for that of q
boy on the street."
After some further confusion, Chairman
Williams succeeded in quieting the troubled
waters, and Belmont resumed his ques-
tions in reference to the action of the state
in behalf the Landreau claim.
MIR. Dunnell intcrupting, protested
against BelmOnt's style of questioning wit
ness, but the chairman n stated that some
thing must be trusted to the honor and
commit for contempt.
The question was again taken up, but !
another colloquy soon took place, where |
upon Representative Walker protested }
against the needless waste of time and the |
method of examination.
The chairman again expOstulated and
tho propriety Of putting direct
questions.
The examination then proceeded for |
fifteen minutes without further break. |
insisted upon witness interpreting |
his dispatches relative to Pru-Chiliau |
affairs, and Blaine began to read from one |
Of his dispatches, when Belmont, inter
rupting, said it was not necessary to read |
the dispatches as the committee had before |
Them all the dispatches.
Blaine said when an Cx secretary of
state is being questioned in relation to his
dispatches it is pertinent to tho inquiry |
that they should be read. The chairman |
and Blaine then read from the |
dispatch question with the remark 81
do not sec how l could make it palmer
there's all there is in it. gave no verbal
whatever"
BelmOnt's subsequent questions were |
directed to All inquiry into the true intent |
of instructions to Minister Hurlbut, but |
elected nothing new or of material inter !
est. When questioned about the letter of |
General Grant 10 which lie said "It is
about time for the United States to step
iD," Blaine said he was much surprised
at Mr.. Hurlbert bringing that letter on
the witness stand. He had seen the letter
before, but believed Grant did not intend
it should be made public.
After further questioning as to the Lam
drau claim, Belmont referred to the letter
of instructions to MIR. Trescott, Blaine ans
wered that he had an understanding with
with Presidedt Arthur that the dispatch
to Trescott should not be published until
TrescOtt's return and it was a great sur
prise to him when he heard that it had
been sent to the Senate. The associated
press procured it and he believed there
have been more pernicious results from
the improper publication of state depart
ment dispatches than have resulted from
this. Mr.. Trescott considered his mission
inSOuth America ended and from that day
to this there has been no use of keeping
him there.
Here occurred the exciting colloquy
between Blaine and Belmoat, reported at
the beginning of this despatch.
Representative Kassan desired before
to allude to the colloquy
which he said all must regret. He thought
that Mr.. Rlaine in using the term Gun
meant to imply that the rem
dering of the dispatches given by Belmont
id not truthfully give its meaning and
did not imply the term Extensively to Bel
mont.