Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-18
THE PERUVIAN COMPANY INvESTI-
CATION


MIR. HurIbnt to Appear before the
Committee Next THURSDAY.
The examination Of Mr. shiplerd was resumed
this morning before the foreign a6airs committee,
Representative Deuster conducting the investiga-
ton.
Chairman Williams read thu following tele-
gram:
NEW YORK, April III win Desnere, with pleas
(Signe6 W b. HuRLBUr."
Mr.. Williams stated that Mr.. Huriout would ap-
pear before the committee Thursday, at 10 80 m.
Mr.. sHIPHERD DECLINES 10 ANSWER.
The witness (Shipherd declined to state whether
Mr.. Peter Hebner purchased the Gochet claim from
Cochet's heir, or what was paid Tor It, or whether
1t was purchased from the legitimate heir.
Witness was asked If Mr.. Norvin Green, VIM. n.
Vanderbilt, E. D. Morgan and others mentioned in
the list which he gave to Minister Hurlbut are
stockholders in the Peruvian company, and de-
clined to answer.
wHITELAw REIDs "AwARENEss."
He was asked: "Do you know Mr.. Whitelaw
Reid 2" and replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Deuster.-Then, when Mr.. Reid said he was
not aware that he had ever met you, he told what
was not SO, did he?
Witness.-I am not responsible for the aware
ness OF Mr.. Reid. / only know that we have been
acQualntances for II years.
MORE kEFUsAIs TO ANSWER
Question.-Is Mr. Medin stockholder7
Answer.-I decline to state.
Witness also declined to state whether Senator
Blair, ex-senator Cragin and others mentioned by
He also declined to state towhom he referred
when he said the nearest friends of the new Presi-
dent are identified with the company.
Witness declined to state who are the directors
or the company at the present time.
Question Would you declineto give the names
of the stockholders OF any bank or other corpora
tion In which you were Interested and which was
organized for an honest and Legitimate business?
Answer-I should, unless to those who had a
right to Inquire and under circumstances warrant
Ing the disclosure.
Witness declined to state frem whom he had re-
celved assurances. OF the very strongest govern
mental support Several other direct questions
were put, but witness positively declined in every
instance to answer any question looking to an
inquiry into the personnel OF the Peruvian COM
pany or its financial status
CONVERSATION WITH MR.. TREsCoTT.
Witness held conversation With MI Trescott,
November 18, at the State department. 1t was the
hrst time he had ever met him. Mr. Walker Blaine
introduced them, and introduced the conversation
by saying: swell, how is the Peruvian Company 2
What are you going to do nexts" The conversa-
tl0n soon drlfted into q discussion of the dplO-
matte attitude OF Chill. 1t was an informal chat
such as might have had with any gentleman, and
made little impression upon my mind.
tions to propose.
MR. WILLIAMS DRIVING eH1PHERD INTO CORNER
Mr.. Williams then asked witness: 'sWhat was
your real object in writing your letter of August
9th to Mr.. Walker Blaine?"
Witness replied at some length, assuring the
committee that he would with pleasure answer
with frankneSs, and somewhat, SURPRISING them
with his statement that he looked upon Mr.. Blaine
as no lawyer and seeing in Mr., Walker Blaine a
bright, clear-headed attorney he approached him
Mr. Williams, reading from the letter, inquired !:
upon what grounds did you regard Walker Blaine
as an eminent attorney"
his conducting any case, but Inferred his ability
from the high position he occupied
Queot1on:-You say VI feel my embarrassment
eminent statesman. and therefore turn to YOU. /"
Did you expect the son could Instruct the father?
Answer-No, sir; felt my embarrassment as
an attorney in dealing with statesman.
Mr.. Williams.-Then, If you approached Walker
Blaine because he was an attorney, how did he
Witness wrgged and nd st hard rdr 70 eeape
the corner into which the inclsve series of ques-
tions was fast driving him. He was finally driven
preached Walker Blaine to employ his services as
an attorney ;he simply sought bis judicial services
He thought the son was better acquainted with
supplement the Information that might be impart-
ed by Senator Blair.
MI: Williams-Then you thought the legal and
superior to your own?
Answer-In this instance was SO Incredibly
Mr.: W1lliams-We accept this instance OF in
credible modesty. What peculiar legal obliquity
In Mr.. Blaine did you wish to overcome
Answer-lt was not obliQuity. 1t was lack of
legal culture.
MR. BLouNT EXAMINES THE WITNESS
After some further questions, which failed to
elicit other than evaslons, Mr. BIount asked wit
ness: 'How did you expect to utilize Mr.. Walker
Blaine, when you regarded him as holding the
me- relations a as an associate e Chief justice
ANSWER don't think understand the drift Of
the question.
pect by use of fattery or some other means to Sc
cure the aid OF this young mann
Witness-As understand It, 1he question is
improperly use Mr.. Walker Blaine, and can
frankly answer, such was the case it has escaped
Mr. Blount-Please state what. advantage
Walker Blaine had over Senator Blair in translat-
ing your views to the Secretary.
son would better understand the workings of his
fathers mind. ~
Witness replied to question hy Mr.. Deuster
Ter some time in October but he declined to give
Its purport. It had been intended at.ene time to
of1er him retainer, but, for reasons which deli
cacy preciuded MS giving, this intention was not
carried out
MR. DEusTERs REVIEW or 1aE CASE.
MI. Deuster then declined to put any more ques-
tons to the witness, and stated 70 the chairman
and members OF the committee iAls reasons SUBJ
as follows: For sevefSl weeks, during
which the witness has been bDiofe us, he has
evaded every question calculata1 to throw any
light upon the subject OF this ffigestigation. He
has refused to furnish any documentary evidence
which might disclose tle true purposes and char
acter OF the Peruvian Company.I He has refused
to inform us who are thB stockholders,
who are the directors, Or what was the
amount OF capital, il any, fnveSted in the Peru
Wan company. In my opinion, kf. Chairman no
individual whose interests are such that he feels
warranted in seeking 70 influence the diplomatic
interference OF the government has the right to
wrap himself and his affairs tn such profound
secrecy. In my opinion no wrong has been DONE
except by the president OF the Peruvian company
In attempting to involve this goyernment In its
diplomatic relations, and In approaching a high
Official and minister of the United States with
an attempt to brtbe them. therefore move that
we dismiss the witness from further- examina ton
The witness was about to make snlne statement,
when Chairman Williams, replying TO Mr.. Deuster,
Stated that all these questions would be carefully
considered and passed upon BY the committee.
The witness would probably be excused for the
present for the purpose OF obtaining the papers
called for by the committee
MR.. sHIPHERD's REquxkT.
Mr.. Shipherd asked an opportunity to be heard
specifically In regard to his reasonsTor declining to
answer certain questions, and was assured such
opportunity would be Afforded him.
MIR. LORD WORRIES MR. su1fHERD.
Representative Lord desired to put one question,
ana said. GMr Chinhprd voy1 haxyn tnstj7od tfot