Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-05
PERUVIAN BARK.
He tells the Story Of his Employment BY
Shipherd-The two Interviews With
Blaine-rhe Latter Deems the Claim
Worthy the Good Officers Of
the Government.
A QUIET, BUT INTERESTING SESSION

WASHINGTON, May 4-The examination
OF Senator Blair was resumed this morning,
Chairman Williams conducting the eIami.
nation. Witness said he early became in
terested in the subject Of inter-ocesnic ca
nal, and in that connection with the opera
tons OF DeLesseps, thought with proper
policy towards Peru, On the part Of Ills
country, her integrity Of territory might
be preserved and an alliance with her might
be OF equal value TO this country. He be-
lieyed in the stronge assertion Of the Mon.
roe doctrine.
The first interview with Shipherd took
place at his, Shiphcrd's, office in New York.
Ex-senator Cragin introduced them. The
interview was brief, and the conversation
was, in substance, that he, Shipherd want
cd witness services in bringing the subject
OF the Peruvian company 70 the attention
Of the State Department Witness indica-
ted he would see him, shipherd, later In 70.
gard to il.
The second interview took place In Ship.
herds office, about the aoth OF July. VII.
ness was under the impression Cragin was
with him, but went away again. Most Of
the conversation took place between them
when Alsne.
The substance OF il was In effect, that
Shipherd explained, at great length, the
points of the Crochet claim, and discussed
the situation in Chilli. Peruvian affairs: the
probability that Chilli would accept money
indemnity, and the desire on the part Of
those he, Shipher,l, represented 70 assist
Peru in raising the amount required, using
the Cochet claim rs q basis OF negotiation
with Peru, and by n settlement Of this kind
dental commercial advantages which other
wise might go to
understood IL was desirable 10 enable Peru
10 secure the retirement OF Chilian forces
from her territory and enable her 10 satisfy
Chili's demands for indemnity. 10 was my
purpose To aid in accomplishing this result.
Mr.. Williams-Will you please bc careful
to state to the committee your understand
ing Of just what Shiphcrd wanted you 70
do?
Answer-He wanted me, primarily. TO
examine his papers and give my opinion
upon them but more particularly, he de-
sired me 10 ascertain the attitude OF this
government towards Chill and Peru. He
wanted me to see the
keeretaPy or state
and learn what the policy Of this government
would be IL thought proper and right To
do ~. Witness understood our govern.
ment to assume the position Of warning
away all powers. Witness was asked II he
he understood the Peruvian Company eH.
pected to be enable 10 furnish the
amount OF the indemnity which Chilli
would demand, and replied there was
no Peruvian company al that time. ] sup
posed there was a sort OF syndicate OF gcn.
tlemcn, embracing those he had mentioned
to me, as being interested in the claim.
do not recall the names OF all. They arc
published in
The Prospectus. ] Think.
Chairman Williams then inquired In re-
lation to the interviews Of July 18th and
2Gth. at Blaines house. Witness saw
Blaine and told him something in relation
To this matter, but said he did not care. In
So important a matter, 10 transmit Ship.
herds views to the Department, but de-
sired Blaine TO see Shipherd and talk with
him. Blaine readily sssentcd 10 this. and
the interview occurred on the evening 0f
the 18th. Blaine seemed full OF the com
pany and the interview was very brief,
perhaps half an hour The conversation Was
general, and nothing was said by anyone that
was not ,heard by all. Witnes could only
give. in general terms, the subject msn
ter. The con versation turned upon ths
probable policy Of this government, Whist
attitude
Oar Gsversmeat wsaIA Take.
and whether its policy would be permanent
and well understood. Blaine seemed to
know something OF the Landrcau claim.
but in regard 10 the Cochet claim, after IL
was explained TO him, he raised some qnes-
tions
At the interview next morning. lasting
about an hour, Walker Blaine was there Q
short time. and took part In the argument.
The substance Of the interview Was Q
pretty thorough discussion OF the Cochct
claim Blaine made the point that u
originated as n claim upon Peru by Preach
citizens. and that shipberd could have no
right. sgsinst Peru that the Peruvian
government would not have; that the claim
seemed mercly,,an - ignment 10 nh Amer !.
can citizen. shipherd asserted the claim
was not chose in action, but was bas"d
upon nciunl property. Blaine then seemed
to assent to the proposition, II IL was -
shiphcrd Represented, that the American
claimant would lie entitled 10 the
Kindly OHees Of Sis 0svessosst.
Mr. Blaine communicated 10 us
the substance OF the instructions
he had given 10 Ministers Huflbut
and Kilpauick. and these instructions.
and which ] am very sure were
communicated to us st that time Ship
herd said were sll he desired. Blaine
seemed quite set and clear from the previ.
Gus history OF the IAndrean claim. II was
one for which this government could prop
erly exercise its good Offices unoficially In
securing hearing and adjudicstion By the
government Of Peru. The Secretary dtd
not consider the Cochet claim - entitled 70
the same consideration, becanse be said IL
wss an assignment from foreign 70 IN
American citizen.
The witness understood that Ship
herd had told Biaine that for the purposes
Of negotiation with Peru, he Ship.
herd. was authorized 10 represent the
IsBdreau claim: that In fsct the Crochet
claim wss \ prior lien. and
shssSA Take Ppeee1eoes.
Mr. Belmoni-How do you Fecopcile that
with the lette. Of Robt. Christy % Blaine,
in which he states be IL the attorney for
the Lsndreau claim. and the only persoo
authorized 10 set for ity -.
Mr. Wiiliams--If the gsntlemau will pr.
don me. have but question 10 ask sod
then am through.
senstor BIair-Certainly, II the Chairman
please, 7 would like 10 answer the question.
] do not know Cbristy, hsve no kpoNledgs
whatever Of what connection he has with
the Iandrean claim. I am oaly giving my
understanding Of what was said a. this In
teryiew touching the Landresu claim.
Mr. Williams then asked II witness. q
this interview, heard any sllusi0n made bS
ghipberd TO his offer Of t20, 800 In stosk
| TO Hurlbut
Ans-yone wbateyer. IcsEisinly vou3d
have heard II II anything Of the kind vns
aid. Adjourned.
vs0s~. Hsv Rrssehssk