Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-26

Department of State. 1t did not send out the
| .'Guiliaume programme" from Washington, ready
made, to be urged upon Peru, As Mr.. Randall and
Mr.. Elmore seem to have desired. The instrue-
tions to Mr.. Hurbut and Mr.. Trescet did not
differ this point.
| The extracts I have now given present every
word ever sent by telegraph mail referring
directly or by implication To the Credit lndustrel.
If there be the slightest Inconsistency OF change
| from the beginning Ia the end l unable, after
careful review, to perceive it. In every way
possible guarded the government agains, being
| committed to the guarantee of that Foreign Cor
poration.or to the idea of an American Protector
| ate as embraced in the Gullsume programme pre-
sented by Mr.. Randall. At the time
always expressed good will to the corporation
aud the hope that its agency might be beneheislly
employed for the relief of Peru. if Peru could
| devise plan to that end. Il seems to have been
AIR. Randall's misfortune that he could not draw
| the distinction between wishing success To y
corporation and becoming responsible for its acts.
| By Mr.. Rsndalrs mode of reasoning, to wish
| man prosperity in business is TO offer TO endorse
his notes in bank, and to guarantee him against
loss.
The incident related by Mir. Randall and Mr..
Eimore about my sending TO the Navy Depart
| ment TO get estimate Of naval strength in
| the South Pacific with the apparent intention of
| some warlike demonstration is very amusing 1t
| needs little comment beyond the following state
ment;
July IS, ISsa.
In MAY last. after Gen'l Hurlbut confirmed as
Minister TO Peru, he requested that naval vessel
might be detailed 10 him from Panama TO Caao.
As private secretary to the Secretary of State the
time went to the Navy Department get list of
the naval vessels in the South Pacific squadron with
their respective locations with the view of ascertain
ing the probable time OF a vessel being at Panama.
vessel asked to MIR. Trescot from Panama
to Valparaiso, were the only times when heard OF
our Naval strength in the South Pacific being dis
cussed in any way referred To in the Department of
State. WALkER BLAINE.
When the list was brought TO me Mr.. Randall
| and Mr.. Elmore in the Department and some
remarks made in amusing vein about
great naval strength on the South Pacific coast,
contrasting it with the seven English ironclads
then on the same station. The fertile imagina-
ton and defective memory of Mr.. Randall and
Mr.. Emore have invested the incident with
significance for which there was never the slight
est justification.
But the covert intention of Mr.. Randall and
Mr. Elmore in this narrative of imaginary incl
dents, probably to create the impression that
was contem plating the possibility of war in
the South Pacific in which the United States
might take part. Our naval strength in those
waters was precisely the same when / left the
Department that it was when President Garfield
was inaugursted. But as this foolish war rumor
has been entertained in higher quarters, i have
asked from Mr.. Trescot his views on that and
| on some other issues involved in this investiga-
| ton. I append Mr. Trescot's reply touching the
| South American poicy-''alI of which he saw; a
great part of which he was"
From the joint statement Of Mr.. Randall and
Mr.. Elmore it would seem that these gentlemen
were in prolonged and constant intercourse with
| myself Secretary of State touching the Credit
| Industriel. Our memories differ. feel quite
sure that l never exchanged a word with
Mr.. Elmore in regard to the Credit Indus
| trel while / was in the Department of State.
| Ny recollection this point is strengthened by
| the fact that in all the letters which Mr. Eimore
addressed to me, of them very long and very
L niuutey lnteUueu 10 treat cADdustltcty every
phase Of the Peruvian question, there is not a
single reference of any Kind whatever to the
Credit Industriel. And yet, if to judge
/ Mr.. Emore by his statements made in Mr.. Ran
dalrs supplementary testimony, should infer
that he came to the United States the agent Of
| the Credit Industriel and not as Minister from
! Peru lie intimates that l gave him letter 10
/ Mr. Nnyas our Mini.tar in Erauca in ardcr IN
facilitate the designs Of the Credit Industriel.
| The subject mentioned dreamed Of
by me. Mr.. Elmore came to few days after
the shooting of the President and said be was
going to Paris and would be glad if would give
him note TO Mr. Noyes, stating that he had been
received by our Government. cbeerfuiiy com.
| piled with bis request, and my understanding was
(though do not say that he directly stated that
he visiting Paris to aid the Minister from Peru
in securing the recognition Of the Calderon gov
| ernment by France. BY Mr.. Elmore's own state
ment be simply going abroad to aid Mr..
Randall in promoting the interests of French
| corporation.
| The question of yerseity is the last one to be
raised between gentlemen. l have not desired to
raise it respecting any statement in Mr.. Rsndsi's
supplementary testimony, except where necessary
| to my own defense. And even there I perceive a
theory, which accounts for the strange misrepre-
| sentstion Of my position made by Mr.. Randall.
| In his conferences with (Which were not 50
numerous % be thinks, for he mistskes bis efforts
to me for actual interviews) the talk was
about the condition and prospects Of Peru. To
| Mr. Randali's ears Peru meant the Credit Indus
trie, and the expression Of my desire to preserve
| the autonomy Of Peru meant to him the adoption
Of the Guillsume Programme, Protectorste and
sll, by the Department Of State. In short, my
interest 10 the fate Of Peru he construed IA
| mean interest in the Credit Industriel.
This OF some other error Of judgment may &C.
count for Mr.. Randalis statement that was talk
ing to him about the Credit Industriel in q tone
directly contrary to that which / was constantly
using in my official correspondence. The absence
Of all possible motive for misleading Mr.. Randall
relieves me from making any argument or
that point. have no recollection Of ever writing
line to Mr.. Randall receiving line from
him. Our intercourse was always polite, wal
always Of bis own seeking, was always unmpor.
tsnt, and never for single moment coufden