The Portland daily press., 1882-06-21
CHILI-PERU.
Mr.. Trescott Again Before the
Committee.
THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED
TWO REPORTS TO BE MADE.

WASHINGTON, June 20.-The House COM
mittee of foreign affairs resumed the examine
ton of Mr. Trescott this morning.
Mr.. Belmont asked the witness to resume his
statement which was interrupted at the ad-
journment of the last session.
The witness did not remember at what
point the evidence was Interrupted, and Mr.
Belmont suggested that he simply wished to
know if the Credit Industriel was the company
that was meant in the instructions OF June
10Th, although not mentioned by name.
The witness replied, 81 would think 50 un-
questionably, TO this extent: 1t was well un-
derstood that the Credit Industriel had SUBJ
mitted two or three plans, and SO far as know
it was the only company that had done So :"
The witness doubted the propriety of his un-
dertaking to swear to the meaning OF dispatch
which was before the committee. 1t should
be judged by its context. BE was Wiling to
state, however, what he would have under
stood by the instructions had he been the
minister to whom they were given. He would
feel justified in giving friendly countenance to
| the Credit Industriel if they seemed to be able
to furnish war indemnity to Chill and save
Peru from loss Of territory; but If the plans OF
the company involved any guarantee on the
part of this government or a protectorate he
would then have referred the whole matter to
the State department.
Mr.. Belmont asked, do you object to
answering whether yea drafted the dispatches
A-Yes. submit to the committee that it
would be manifestly improper for me to answer
that question.
Mr.. Belmont understand that you had
several conversations with representatives OF
the Credit Industriel here?
Al knew what they vented.
The Chairman-The question seems to mo
both immaterial and improper. The dispatch
must be construed from It's language. 1t is
the Secretary's dispatch and it makes no diff
rnn rnfl n a M
fest ambiguity in it l don't think the witness
should be asked to construe it..
Mr.. Belmont want to know if the Credit
Industriel was meant in that Dispatch?
Al should say so unquestionably.
Mr.. Belmont-I am perfectly satisfied.
Mr.. TreScott-I had heard before leaving the
United States that the CrediJ Industriel had
made propositions, but formed my opinion IN
regard to the character and standing of the
company after reached Chilli and Peru. I
understood their proposition was to be consid-
cred by any minister that might be sent out by
this government and that l should receive
whatever sympathy and encouragement 1t was
proper to bestow; that our minister should be
kept informed of the possibilities and abilities
on the part OF the company to accomplish LIS
proposed object and If any guarantee or protec-
torate on the part of the United States was pro-
posed that the matter should be at once submit
ted to the State Department.
The Chairman-Suppose such a proposition
Atsu uO0A oupAAtttS0 Ulce SO~aA JOA AofO
done?
Answer-Mr. chairman, that was a matter of
big politics for the Cabinet. 1t never reached
such point in the negotiation and could not
undertake to say what action this government
would have taken under the suppositious cir
cumstances. 1 don't suppose our government
would have entertained such proposition In
deed, Mr.. Blaine distinctly pronounced against
it in advance.
Belmont-Did it not seem so clear to you
Alsok T.xI.r 1Inta
that you did not deem it necessary to men,
tion the company in that dispatch OF June
10Th?
The witness demurred to the question and
Mr. Belmont followed it up with the question,
'Did you write the dispatch?'
This led to discussion in the committee
and an allusion having been made to Freling-
huysen'S letter to witness relative to his (wiI-
ness) appearance before the committee, Mr..
Belmont called for the reading of the letter.
After the letter had been read the discussion
was resumed to determine whether the ques-
tion should be insisted on
The comnittee went into secret session, and
fifteen minutes later the doors were opened and
witness. reporters and spectators resumed their
places.
Mr.. Belmont was about to ask question
when the chair remarked; 1t is understood that
Mr.. Belmont withdraws the question.
(Mr. Belmont have no further question
to ask.)
NAE. bttt4SDHl bliptSttb bttsIS bS = sttAs-
understanding among the committee, and asked
that the doors be again closed; and the COM
mittee again went into secret session, aud after
further deliberation of twenty minutes the
doors were again opened
Mr.. Belmont said: Mr.. TreScott have con-
cluded to waive the question as to the author
ship of the dispatch, and as you have answered
SO fully in regard to the dispatch / believe /
have no moro questions to ask.
Mr.. Blount asked-Did you understand the
NF ia na,,n 4 of In
Blaine to be one OF encouragement to the
Credit Indastriel?
Mr.. Trescott in reply stated what he under.s
stood to be the views of Mr.. Blaine and the
Department that it would be source of graft
feation if the Credit Industriel could be of SER
vice to Peru and save her from dismember-
mont ofsterritory, but that this government
could give no further support than its friendly
attitude and that it could not in any event as
sumo any responsibility or guarantee.
Chairman-Haye you any further knowledge
of the Credit Industriel than what you have
stated.
Ans-l have none.
Ques-Did you meet any of its agents or rep
resentatives in South America.
Witness replied that he met Senior Larabue
in Lima and Senior Lacretelle at Santiago, both
of whom were eminently respectable gentlemen
and that they communicated to him the pur-
poses of their, company and that they proposed
to satisfy the claims against Peru If they could
De allowed 10 administer upon Tue guano ana
nitrate of Tarapaca Witness informed them
that he conll do nothing more than keep them
advised of the progress of events. Witness had
no conferences with any of the agents of the
company in this country other than general
conversations.
This closed the examination OF Mr.. Trescott
and the Chairman announced that the investi-
cation under the resolution of the House was
probably concluded.
The committee will meet in regular session
Friday, to which day they adjourned. Tne
preparation of their report will involve a vast
deal of labor and the examination of volumi-
nous testimony. Two reports viii probably be
submitted but it is extremely doubtful if they
can be prepared befsre the adjournment of the
present session.