The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1882-03-25
BLAINE's DEFENSE.
The Ex.secretary Defends His So

lean Policy and Devotes a Lit =. harp
Criticism TO the Administration.
WASHINGTON, March 23-The Post will
print tomorrow morning an interview with
ex Secretary Blaine on the latest phase of
the Chili-Peruvian question. Mr.. Blaine
said he was not able to give an exhaustive
review of the question, but the general re-
suit was precisely what he had predicted
when the instructions were revoked.
"what do you mean by general resulte in
quired the reporter.
'Imean." said Blaine las / said in January.
Peru is to be disported and destroyed, and that
the profits of the spoliation will be divided be-
tween Chill and English bondhoders and specu-
lators, who furnished the money and guns
! and ironclads that destroyed Peru
Is 50 In - Ghar BY the
decree asking for bids for 600 600 tons of guano
to be extracted from the guano beds of Peru now in
the possession OF Chill. Every cargo must be
paid for, so the advertisement runs. in good ster-
ling exchange, English money, mark you. at nine
| ty days sight. One half goes to Chilli and one
half TO the English bondholders, and Chilli binds
herself to deposit so per cent Of the proceeds of
guapc in the Bank of England"
DIG they try to argue ths?''
Prescott was forbidden TO say one word about
1t, and not permitted even to interpose protest"
"How forbidden?''
4 ",
See here is what my successor in the State De-
partment said In his letter to Trescott, revoking
| his previous instructions (readipg from the re-
Gently printly volume of the Chili-Peruvian dis
| patchet). The President wishes in no manner to
| dictate or make any authoritative utterance to
either Peru or Chilli as to the merits of the con-
| troversy existing between those Republics to
| what indemnity should be asked or gwen as to
| the change of boundaries, or as to the personal
Government Of Peru. The President recognizes
which he has no right or inclination to dictate"
"Of course" continued Blaine, when Tres
gIish bondhoIders had it ali their own way, with
| none 10 m0lest or make them afraid"
Then it would seem as If Trescott's visit had
turned out in the interest of the English specu-
| lators?" suggested the reporter.
"Undeniably," said Blaine, because Trescott
under Frelinghuysen's instructions, has stood
would not in any event interfere If the indemnity
demanded took the last dollar of Peru's property
and the last acre of Perus territory. Trescott was
specially instructed not TO say one word in pro-
test or opposition"
"How did Trescott come to sign this recent
protocol?" asked the reporter.
81 do not understand he has signed any pro-
| tocol The dispatches are a little confused, but
you will observe the result to Chill and Peru is
of the protocol should be used or not. 1t is mere
lya question as to whether we would actively aid
or sim ly agree not to hinoer."
| Does not the protocol charge at all previous
| demands of Chili?"
''I think" said Blaine, lit enlarged those de-
before Trescott arrived. Naturally enough when
| Chilli found the United States sure not to In
terfere she took all she wanted. She added,
think, the District of Toena to her previous de.
mands besides 9. large strip Of territory north
of Tarapaca- As understand Chili's
demands now" added Blaine; "they include:
| ID The absolute annexation of Tarapaca and a
large strip of territory Immediately north of 1t.
These include all nitrates and a great bulk OF
guano. ~ Chill holds and occupies the districts
| then released to Peru on the payment of $4,000,
000. while they leave her no more power to pay
than IL it were $50 600 O0O, 900. africa and Tocna
| may therefore be con3idered permanently an.
nexed. (3( Labas Islands are to be seized and
held by Chilli 50 long as there is any guano on
est districts of Peru, including all nitrates and
all her guano, just as they designed
the outset only they were ndw not then Zen
United States would permit it. When these con-
ditions were submitted to Trescott he wal
graciously told his good offices would be accepted
| to urge them on Peru, but If Peru refused to &C
cede to them. then his good Offices must be con
That tan hardly be considered courteous &c
| the United States?' queried the reporter
"why should Chilli be courteous to the United
Slater replied Blaine. Nations, like individu
ais, depend for their position upon their power
aud viii to assert. When Uriah Heep THANKED
God he was 'umble,' Master Coopperteld tool
him at his word When our Minister of War wa,
instructed TO make no authoritative utteranct
but merely be seen and not heard, and to act the
part of meekness and humility, Chilli naturally
|
Government as she chose, and thus sought Il
make Prescott aid her designs on Peru"
But l don't quite understand" said the re
porter 'how Chill came to advertise the milloI
tons of Peruvian guano for sale before the treat.
was concluded or any arrangement for peac
! made"
'She did II on the old principle of he shall TAX
who has power and he shall keep who can. 1t 1
absolute conquest. She feels so sure of her pos
session that she need not wait for a treaty TO b.
concluded. She simply appropriates the propert
with strong hand When the United States re
fused to ask for justice between the two Repuh
lies, and strong English power was interested Il
the aggrandizement OF Chill. Peru's fate wa
sealed, 1t is noticeable that this million tons O
guano Is offered for sale in one block, and an
bidder Is required to put up $500 0J0, so that tn
decree of sale is merely mode OF getting this
. property In the hands of the Chilian and Englis
bondholders. 1t will be carried In English ships
! making larger freightage than the cotton of th
, | United States annually taken beyond the sea- :"
! "Mr. Blaine, do you think the United State
4 could In any event have prevented this resu
| without war?'
'"with entire ease," replied Blaine. "Thel
| never was such arrant nonsense talked of as tn
possibility of war with Chilli. The difference l