Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-06
THE PERU-CHILI INVESTIGATION.
MRsHIPHERDs EXAMINATION TODAY
WHAT he SAYS OF MESSRS. BLAINE AND
HURLBUT.

The examination OF Mr.. Shipherd by the House
| foreign affairs committee was resumed at half
past 10 O'Clock this morning. Chairman Williams
being unwell, Representative Orth presided and
Representative Rice conducted the examination.
Witness stated, in reply to questions, that the
Peruvian Company OWES the claim OF Alexander
Cochet and not that OF Landreau; that they claim
through the natural con OF Alexander Cochet who
| owned. or claimed to own, one-third Of all the
guano deposits OF Peru Witness compiled the
prospectus OF the Peruvian Company, preparing 1t
from papers and pamphlets which were furnished
him. The first document furnished him was a
written translation OF an old Spanish pamphlet,
| the negotiations Of the company has the original
OF that manuscript been shown In this country.
The company has In New York original manu-
scripts In the handwriting OF Cochet, which COM
pletely duplicates the pamphlets alluded to
Mr.. sHIPHERD ON OocHEr's CLAIMS
Question. This Cochet made claims upon Peru
| during his residence, and to these claims your
company claimed to have succeeded what were
his claims?
Answer Cochet made investigations relative
to the commercial value OF guano which would
| lead to a trade with Europe In guano. He gave
several years to scientific Investigations and to
the development OF the trade. The question has
arisen as to who first made this scientific dis
covery. The Peruvian congress decided 5000 tons
| OF guano should be awarded to the original dis
SONCfCt VI tdlc value vi anu gave IL 10 70
chet condition that he should give the govern
ment the value of certain discoveries he had made,
but he refused the conditions and consequently
never asserted his right TO the 900 tons. The
only thing settled by the award was that Cochet
FIRST discovered the commercial value OF guano
The claim set up by the company to one-third OF
the guanO deposits is purely by virtue OF his right
| as such discOverer Witness stated that he had
been unable to learn that any settlement was ever
made with COchet by the Peruvian government
Witness was then questioned in regard to the
validity Of the claim OF Galateio Cochets natural
Cochet died intestate, but subsequently
they the Peruvian company found a will
in Paris in the hands Of the notary
Questlon.-Who found in
Answer.-Mr. Hebner, the same gentleman who
found the pamphlet in Peru
Witness declined to state what was paid to Gala
teio for his claim.
Mr. sHIPHEID ASKED 10 EXPLAIN.
Witness was asked to explain the discrepancy in
the prospectus wherein he refers to the Peruvian
company as already organized Gin October), when
as fact 1t was not organized, and stated that
when that portion was written it was the 1nten-
tion to organize at once under the laws OF the
organization would be effected before the publica-
ton OF the Prospectus; that in the meantime the
Georgia charter was discovered, and the company
witness was asked If he had any more post
scripts to present, anc replied, "No. SIR"
THE CORRESPONDENCE AND INTERVIEW WITH HURL-
BUT.
Witness stated that the correspondence with
Mr.. Hurlbut was begun by letter written by him
tSh1pberd) on May 18th. Witness was questioned
In regard to his interview wit Mr. Hurlbut on
May Soth, as detailed by him tshfpherd) at a for
Hurlbuts exact language."
In speaking OF our cll!m he slapped his hands
upon his knees with some emphasis and said :
'Ar. Shipherd, need not come all the way down
here from Washingt on to assure you how infinitely
m,tter through the Opportunity your company
Offers"
Witness was closely pressed with questions, with
view to extracting something definite relative
the encouragement, II any, he had received from
the Executive. He stated that Mr.. Hurlbut did
not speak Of the President the Secretary or
State, but in an embassado rial wayn used the ex-
pre- -sfOn "the government" which led him (Ship-
herd) to believe he (Mr. HurlbuD spoke by au-
thOrity.
LETTER FROM J. STANLEY BROWN.
The only evidence witness had that the Presi-
dent ever saw any papers or knew anything about
the business OF the Peruvian company was letter
be Mr shpherdl received from J. Stanley Brown,
the Presidents private secretary, stating, "Your
letter received and referred to the State Depart
ment"
sHIPHERD ON Mr.. HuRLBUE.
Mr.. Shipherd was asked in regard to his letter to
Huribut Offering the S250,0C interest which did
not submit the proposition to him orally at their
interview in New York, and replied: 'Because
found could not control the direction OF his mind
or 1.-THE the 10 view he might be led to take
be responsible for exactly for what said, and
WI nted to say only what meant did intend to
OF our plans and purposes, 1t should seem to him
perfectly proper to do so, that he Or his friends
should receive an interest Of ss5o.0O0. meant to
influence him to the extent OF preventing him from
opposing us.
Witness admitted that he would not have ap-
preached Mr.. Hurlbut had he believed him to have
been man OF probity and above taking a bribe,
and yet with ingenious SophiStry insisted that he
tMr Shipherd) was not guilty OF any wrong inten-
tOns In making the offer. In response to further
questions, witness stated that Mr. Hurlbut never
acknowledged receipt OF the letter dn which this
Mr mass s% and never again called to
Mr.. Hurlbut was on his way to his home in
Illinois, when he had the interview in New York,
upon his return, but he did not do SO.
Question-Did it not seem to you that these
cally stated to you were Considered by the Govern
ment ''as strong as law and equity could make
them" were OF sufficient moment to warrant him
New York?
Answer.-It certainly did so seem to me.
suppose he pNr. HurlbuD did not call upon me
and was paid not to cali That was my supposi.
ton. We never got him to do anything for US,
being corrnptly Influenced in our favor. it would
be just as well to drop the subject right here. He
edge.
Mr.. Rice.-Then we will pass to Mr. Blaine
Your correspondence or negotiations with him wer.
opened by youuself, were they not?
Answer.-My first interview with Secretary
Blaine was suggested by Senator Blair. my cOun-
sci, and took place July 25th
MT. Rtce-YOur interview with Mr. Hurlbut, In
which he told you the government thought your
claim perfectly good one, and led you to expect
the aid OF the government, took place May 30th,
and yOu- interview with the Secretary occurred
nearly two months afterwards, was there no cor
respOndence between yourself and the Executive
in the meantlme7
AnsWer.-NO, sir.
Mr.. Rce.-Then, so far as the government was
concerned this important matter had siumbered
during all this time?
Answer hesltatinglyl-So far as the govern
ment was concerned, yes, sir.
Mr.. Rice.-ln that interview with the Secretary
was any suggestion made that he or his friends
should become interested pecuniartly In your
company or their claim7
Answer-No, Sir; for the reason that it never
occurred to me to approach Mr.. Blaine or any
other onicfal with the exception of Mr.. Hurlbut,
and then only to estop him from working against
us.
Mr.. Rice.-Did you not know II you made such q
proposition to the Secretary that you would at
once be shown to the door,
Mr.. Shtpherd turning very red in the face)-J
see no reason why any member OF this committee
should put such a question to me. think the Inn
putatOn conveyed has gone too far.
So Inn AInwrnA ,fr..H