Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-05
THE GUAN0 DEAL.
GOOD MR.. BLAIR AND HIS
CLIENT.
The IntervIeW with BIaIne-Just
what Shipherd Wanted-The Ex-
Secretary and the COchet and Ian.
dreau Claims.

WASHINGTON, May 5.-Senator Blair was
again before the Foreign Affairs Committee
to-day, and was cross examined during the
entire session by Chairman Williams. Mr..
Williams began the investigation by asking:
cam to understand that you were more
interested in the policy of the United
States than in any financial schemes"
Mr.. Blair, in reply, entered into long
statement of the interest he had taken In
the interoceanic canal projec.s and Incl
dental thereto, the policy Of the United
States, the Monroe doctrine and United
States control over any isthmus canal, and
the relative value to this country of an al
lance with the Central and South American
States. Then, in reply to a question, Nc.
Blair stated he first met shipherd in the
latter's office in New York, where he was
introduced by ex Senator Cragfn. Wit
ness would not undertake to give
the dialogue with the huency and apparent
accuracy that Shipherd had employed, but
would endesvor to give the substance of 1t,
which was, in effect, that Shipherd ex-
planned at great length the points of the Co
chet claim aud discussed the situation
in Chilli Peruvian affairs, the probability
that Chill would accept money indemnity,
and the desire on the part of those Ship
herd represented to assist Peru in raising
the amount required, using the Cochet
claim as a basis OF negotiations with Peru,
and by settlement of this kind to secure
for the United States incidental commercial
advantages which otherwise would go to
foreign powers.
The Chairman asked: "Dld you under
stand that it was desirable to enable Peru to
secure the retirement OF the Chilian forces
from her territory, and to enable her to
satisfy Chili's demands for an indemnity?"
"Yes, 1 did,"
"It was your purpose to aid in accom-
plishing this result, was it not9"
"Yes, sir, It was."
Mr.. Wiliams-"Just what Shipherd want.
ed you to do will you please be careful to
state to the committee your understanding
of it?"
"He wanted me primarily to examine his
papers and give my opinion upon them, but
more particularly he desired me to ascertain
the attitude of this government toward
Chill and Peru. He wanted me to see the
Secretary of State and learn what the policy
OF this government would be. | thought It
proper and right to do so."
Mr.. Williams asked II witness knew of
any other counsel at that time retained by
Shipberd.
Witness replied that he (Shipherd) showed
Mr.. BOutwell's opinion, and mentioned
having consulted other counsel. At that
time he (Shipherd) seemed to entertain no
doubt whatever of the validity OF the Cochet
claim.
Mr.. Williams then inquired In relation to
the interviews of July 25th and 265h at
Blaine's house. Witness said he saw Blaine
and told him something in relation to this
matter, but he said he didn't care In so i'm
portant matter to transmit to Shipherd the
views of the department, but desired Blaine
to see Shipherd and talk with him. Blaine
I'd H. IT,.
CURED on the evening OF the 25.h. Mr..
Blaine seemed full of company and the in
terview was very Brief perhaps half an
hour. The conversation was general. No
thing was said by one that was not heard by
all. Witness could only give the gen.
eral terms-the subject matter The con-
versation turned upon the probable policy
of this government, what attitude our
government would take, and whether it's
policy would be permanent and well under
stood. Mr. Blaine seemed to know some
thing of the Landreau claim, bat in regard to
the Cochet claim, after it was explained to
him, he raised some questions. At the in
terview the next morning, lasting about an
hour, Walker Blaine was there short time
and took part in the argument. The sub
stance of the interview was a pretty
thorough discussion of the Cochet claim.
Mr.. Blaine made the point that it originated
as claim upon Peru by French citizen,
and that Shipherd could have no rights
against Peru; that the Peruvisns would not
have that claim seem merely an assign
ment to an American citizen. Ship erd as
serted that the claim was not chose in &C
tiOn, but was based on actual property.
Blaine then seemed to assent to the propO-
sition, IL it was as Mr.. Shipherd represented,
that the American claimant would be enti
tied to the kindly offices OF this government.
Witness continued: "Blaine communi-
Gated to US the substance of the instrnc-
tions he had given to Hurlbut and Kill
patrick, and these Instructions. which | am
very sure were committed to the United
States Ministers at that time, Shipherd said
we're all that he desired. Blaine seemed
quite clear from the previous history of the
Landreau claim that it was one for which
this government could properly exercise its
good offices unofficially in securing hear
ing and adjudication by the government of
Peru"
Witness was asked why the Secretary did
not consider the Cochet claim as entitled to
the same consideration, and replied: "Be-
cause, as he said, 1t was an assignment from
a foreigner to an American citizen"
The witness was then asked: "Did not
Shipherd claim that he also represented or
owned the Landreau claimsS"
Wi : ess understood that Shipherd told
BIa'n shat for the purpose of negotiating
with Peru, he (Shipherd) was authorized to
represent the Landreau claim; that, ia fact,
the Cochet claim was prior lien and should
take precedence.
Mr.. Belmont-"How do you reconcile this
with the letter of Robert Christy to Blaine,
in which he states that he is attorney for the
Landreau claim, and the only person author
ICED to act for it,"
Mr.. Williams-'If the gentleman will
pardon me, have but question to ask and
then l am through"
Senator Blair-"Certainly II the Chair
man please, / would like to answer the
question. l do not know Christy, and |
have no knowledge whatever of what con-
nection he has with the Landreau claim. l
am only giving my understanding of what
was said at this interview touching the
Landresu claim"
Mr. Williams asked If witness at this in
terview heard any allusion made by Ship
herd to his offer of $250,000 in stock to
Hurlbut
None whatever. I certainly would have
heard it II anything of the kind was said"
MIDDLE FLORIDA FAIR.