Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-02-04

Matter.-Deplorable Condition of Peru
Arthur Backs Water.
A day or two ago a Washington report
er called upon ex-Secretary Blaine and
directed his attention to the statement in
the newspapers to the effect that the In
struction to Mr.. Trescott signed by him
had been drafted and committed to Mr..
Prescott without the knowledge of the
president. After carefully reading the
papers handed him, Mr.. Blaine said:
"That statement lis entirely erroneous.
1t has absolutely no foundation in fact.
The instructions were not only talked
over fully at length with the president,
but when written were twice read to him
for criticism and change. l have the
original draft in my possession, with the
modification directed by the president
clearly noted. It is inconceivable thatan
extraordinary mission, important enough
to be mentioned in the annual message to
congress, could be allowed to leave the
country without the presidents knowing
the instructions by which its action should
be governed. No friend of the president
could possibly make that suggestion, and
on his behalf repel it,
"But did not the president himself
specifically refer in his message to the in
structions given to Mr.. Trescott?'
"Certainly he did" replied Mr.. Blaine;
ssand, besides, what possible interest
| could l have myself in sending an in
struction without the full knowledge of
the president? l was to leave the depart
ment in fortnight, and I would natural
ly take care not to send an instruction
merely to have it revoked. In addition
to all other considerations, had no de-
sire to send Mr.. Trescott on FOOLS er-
rand"
SHOW do you account for the change
of policy?"
ssThat is none of my business" said
Mr.. Blaine. cit is the undoubted right
of the president, as it is of private citi-
zen, to change his mind"
"Did you send any important dispatch
on this Peruvian question without con-
sulting the president?'
"Of course not,' said Mr.. Blaine;
'seither President Garfield or President
Arthur saw every dispatch of import.
ance that was sent, and no step was taken
without the full concurrence and ap-
prevail Of The executive During the late
presidents illness no dispatch of any
| special moment was sent either to Peru
or Chill. The dates will show that
| "DO you see any occasion to change
| your mind as to the wisdom of the course
marked out, and which, you say, had the
approval Of both presidents?''
II do not" replied Mr.. Blaine; "but
time and reflection and development of
events have all the more strongly
confirmed me; and I fear" added Mr..
Blaine, after short silence, s'that one
result of the change will be the utter de-
struction of the commercial interests of
the United States on the south Pacific
coast"
81 see that some papers accuse you of
an intention or desire to annex Peru to
the United States.'
At this suggestion Mr.. Blaine showed
some impatience. "Why," said he, "you
might as well think of annexing Terra
del Fuego or the island of Juan Fernan-
dez to this country. Mr.. Christiancy
mentioned some such thing as being de-
sired in Peru, but never thought it of
sufficient consequence or importance to
call for any comment. 1t was merely a
despairing cry on the part of the down.
trodden Peruvians. My dispatches on
the lsthmus canal question, published by
order of the president, disclaimed for the
United States any desire for territorial
acquisIon in Mexico or Central America.
1t never occurred to me that annexation
of South American territory called for a
disclaimer
"Was there any attempt on the part of
our government to push claims of private
citizens against Peru?''
"On the contrary, that was carefully
and rigidly avoided. The Peruvian COM
pany was very anxious to secure active
aid of the state department., and l took
| special pains to guard the United States
against any c0mmittal. l instructed Mr..
| Hurlbut in these words:
| "'You will specially avoid the advo-
cacy of the claims of the Peruvian COM
pany or of any other company or lndivid-
ual in the pursuit of personal ends or
business enterprises
SIN the early autumn it was rumored
that the Credit Industriel of France was
| likely to get the control and management
| of Peruvian finances. Did not its agents
call on you for aid and sympathy through
| our minister at Lima?''
| eyes," said MIR. Blaine, "the agents of
| that company asked that the United
States would in some way help them in
their efforts to aid Peru. telegraphed
| Mr.. Hurlbut in these words:
| ""The influence of our position must
| not be used in aid of the Credit Industriel
or any other specializing or financial as
| ISOLATION
| "Mr. Hurlbut's reply showed that the
| caution was unnecessary"
"What course did you take in regard to
the famous Cochet claim, which was the
| basis of the Peruvian company
Il examined that claim carefully" said
Mr.. Blaine, Sat the request of the coun-
sci of the Peruvian company, and as the
result of my investigation instructed
| Mir. Hurlbut as follows:
"'There is no just ground whatever on
which this government could intervene
in behalf of the Cochet claim. You are
instructed not to extend the good offices
of this government on behalf of it.
"The Cochet claim,' continued Mr.
Blaine, twas thrust upon Gen. Hurlbut's
| attention by Mr.. Jacob H. Shipherd,
agent of the Peruvian company, and was
| compelled to deal summarily with it and
with him. quote from my instructions
touching Mr.. Shipherd:
'' You will, therefore, pay no attention
"a opyfb;,~ NJ Cb;-Lorl