Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-02
Dailu kennrhfl 3ournal.
MIR. Blaine Interviewed.
HE TALks FREELY OF CRLI-PERrvtA>
AFFAIRS.

in the New York papers. of Mr.. Blaine's in
terview with a reporter of the Washington
Post in regard to affairs in Chill and Peru.
| The reporter began bv calling Mr.. Blaine.
attention 10 the statement in the New Iork
papers that the instructions 10 Mr.. Trescor
signed by him had been drafted and commit.
ted To Mr.. Trescot without the knowledge OF
the President After carefully reading the
papers handed him, Mr. Blaine said: THAT
statement is entirely erroneous. II has ab.
solutely no foundation in truth. The instrue.
tions were not only talked over fully, nj
length with the President. but. when
written, were twice read to him for
criticism and change. | have the original
draft in my possession with the notifications
desired by the President clearly noted. |,
is inconeeivable that an extraordinary mis-
sion, important enough TO be mentioned in
the annual Message to Congress could be
allowed to leave the country without the
Presidents knowing the instructions by which
It's actions should be governed. No friend
of the President could possibly make that
suggestion, and on his behalf repel it, The
President specifically referred in his Mes
sage 10 the instructions given to Mr.. Tres
cot, and besides, what possible interest could
have myself in sending an instruction with
:
was 10 leave the department in fortnight,
and | wauld naturally take care not to send
an instruction merely TO have it revoked In
addition to all other considerations had no
desire to send MIR. Trcscot ON fools err
rand"
Q.-lluw de you account for the change OF
policy? A.-That is none of my business.
1t is the undoubted right of the Presi-
dent, as II is Of a private citizen, to change
his mind Either President Garfield or Pres
ident Arthur saw every dispatch of impor-
tance that was sent, and no step was taken
without the full concurrence and approval of
the Executive. During the late President $
illness, no dispatch of any special moment
was sent either to Peru or Chill The dates
will show that. | have seen no reason to
change INV mind as To the wisdom Of the course
marked out. Time, reflection and develop
ment of events have all the more strongly con-
tirmed me. and fear one result of the change
will be the utter destruction Of the commercial
interests of the United States on the South
Pacific coast.
Il see, said the reporter, that some papers
accuse you of the intention or desire TO annex
Peru to the United States. AT this suggestion
Mr.. Blaine showed some iippatience. "Why"
said he, ''you might as well talk of annexing
Terra DelFuego or the Island of Juan Fer
nandez. MIR. Christiancy mentioned some
such thing as being desired in Peru. but
never thought it of sufficient consequence or
Importance TO call for any comment. 1t was
merely despairing cry the part of the
Peruvians. My dispatches on the Isthmus
Canal question discaimed for the United
States any desire for territorial acquisition in
Mexico or Central America. IL never oc-
CURED to me that the annexation of South
American territory called for disclaimer !"
Upon being asked whether any attempt
was made by the United States government
to push the claims of private citizens against
Peru, Mr.. Blaine said "On the contrary that
was carefully and rieidly avoided The
Peruvian Company was very anxious to Sc
cure the active aid of the State Department
and took special pains to guard the United
States against any committal. The agents of
the Credit Industriel of France also asked
that the United States would in some wav
help them in their efforts to aid Peru teIe-
graphed Mr.. Hurlbut in these words The
influence of your position must not be used
in aid of the Credit Industriel or any other
specializing or financial association Mr.
Hurlbut's reply showed that the caution was
unnecessary. The Cochet claim | examined
carefully, and as result Of my investigation
instructed Mr. Hurlbut not to extend the
it. This claim was thrust upon Gen. Hurl-
butts attention by Mr.. Jacob X. Shipherd,
agent OF the Peruvian Company and was
compelled to deal summarily with it and with
him. ] instructed Mr.. Hurlbut to pay no at
tention to ANYTHING Mr.. Shpherd might write
in regard to claims against the Government
Of Peru, and to return to the writer's any let
ters relating TO privrte claims which had not
been regularly referred to him (Mr Hurlbut)
by the Department of State; and then | laid
down general principle to be observed by
diplomatic representatives everywhere in
these words Legations of the United States
in foreign countries must not be converted
into agencies for the prosecution of foreign
claims.
Q-But YOU did instruct Gen. Hurlburt to
prosecute the Landreau claim. did you not?
A.-No, / did not. instructed Gen. Hurl-
but to nse his good offices with the Peruvian
Government 10 the end that it Would desig-
nate one of its own courts or tribunals before
which Landreau could appear and have the
justice of his claim tested. | expressly stated
that 'this Government would not undertake
to construe the contract. or decide upon the
compensation due to LandreauH And adj
ded that while "our Minister could not make
an official demand for the settlement OF the
claim he could use bis good offices to secure
its confederation Our Minister to Lima
had been authorized in 1874, by Secretary
Fish, to use his good offices in aid of the
Landreau claim. The House of Represen-
tatires in the last Congress, unanimously
adopted resolution requesting the State De-
partment 10 use its good offices on behalf of
Landreau with the Peruvian Government.
This was very rare and exceptional act,
and placed the Landreau claim on different
basi. from any other. The State Depart
ment could hardly decline to give the simple
instruction it did to our Minister.
Odd Gen. Hurlbut urge Peru to give
Landreau hearing in her courts. Al
doubt if he did, for in my final instruction on
the subject used these words "But the Land
reau claim must not be pressed in any manner
that may seem to embarrass Peru in her hour
Of great Distress" have never heard that
Gen Hurlbrt moved IN the matter after re-
ceiviBg this last instruction, or, indeed. ever
moved in it at ALL
But" said the reporter, statements have
been made that Landreau is not an American
citizen. but Frenchmsn, who died years
ago"
Quite the contrary said Mr.. Blaine /;
John G. Landreau is living, is a citizen
Of the United States, with legal residence in
Louisiana, and is now, and has been for several
years past, American consul at Santiago de
- u