Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-12
THE PERUVIAN INVESTIGATION.
Of George +. Bliss BY the
Subcommittee.
New YORK, May IL.

New York, May IL.
Congressman Kasson, Dunnell, Wilson
and Belmont, comprising the subcommittee
of foreign affairs, today. examined George
T. Bliss. of Morton, Bliss Co., in relation
| to the firms contract with the Credit Indus
triel Co. After giving the details of the con-
| tract rs testified to yesterday by Randall, Mr..
Bliss said he had not any reason to believe
that any member of his firm had brought any
influence to bear on the United States gov
eminent toward securing mediation between
Chilli, Peru and Bolivia.
The cables from Randall at Paris were in
the cipher code of Morton, Bliss & Co., and
the replies were sent to Morton. The latter
was only informed of the important business
of his firm.
Morton was not informed of the particu-
lars, nor did he ever refer to the contract
when communicating with the firm, and Gau-
treau Co., Peruvian agents of the Credit
Industriel Co., at one time wished to send a
cargo of guano to any port in this country
which Morton. Bliss & Co. should designate,
but the firm declined upon learning the price
at which the guano was being sold here. No
consignments by this company had been sent,
although the contract is still in force.
Witness never knew or heard of any foreign
minister us 'ng his official position towards
| In answer to questions by Kasson, Bliss
said he did not seek the business with the
Credit industrial Co., but was called on by
Randall, the consul, and Suarez, agent of
the company. The former urged Suarez to
make the contract with his firm, which was
afterwards done.
| Witness once spoke to Morton about the
business, and said he had not much faith in
it, The cipher cablegrams used in negotia-
tons between his firm and the Industriel Co.,
| were then put in evidence. They showed
! that five per cent. commission was to be
the compensation agreed upon, to be paid to
Bliss & Co.
Witness was not in the city when the con-
tract with his firm was made but when he
read it, regarded it as purely business
| transaction. and after due consideration
signed it. Witness firm had never sought
to secure mediation by the U. S. government
between Chill and Peru. Morton, he said,
was appointed minister in March. and nego-
gotiations with Randall began in May. He
did not think the fact of Morton being minis
ter had anything to do with placing the con-
| tract in the hands of Morton, Bliss & Co.
Witness never spoke to the President or
Secretary of State. in relation to mediation
by the government, and the proposition of
mediation did not influence him in making
the contract with the Industriel Co. He had
no reason to believe that Minister Morton
ever acted improperly, in the matter, and did
not think he knew or had any correspondence
with Jacob r. Shipherd. The committee
will meet again this afternoon.
The examination of Randall was resu med
this afternoon. He gave the history of the
Credit Industriel Co., and explained its con-
tracts with the Peruvian government. He
said he called on Evarts to induce him to
| interfere in the South American troubles, and
the Secretary stated that he had instructed
consuls to endeavor to bring about a confer
| ence between the belligerent parties. He
said, however, that the United States could
have nothing to do with financial negotia-
! tons.
Randall here declared that the company
| asked no favors from the United States, and
only wanted peace so they could recover the
f45, 100000 sterling, loaned the Peruvian
| government in 1873. Blaine said shortly
| after appointment, he considered the propo-
sitOn of the company feasible one, and
that the United States would carry it out. At
| his suggestion the witness mentioned VIM.
E. Chandler as a suitable person to send as
minister to Peru. He also recommended
Hurlbut. Blaine said that the instructions
given the latter were favorable to the Indus
triel Company. Randall said emphatically
that neither he nor any representative of the
Industrial Co., directly or indirectly, ever
had any relations with General Hurlbut, and
that the company never spent dollar in i'm
proper ways.