Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-05-05
BLAIR ON THE STAND.


Company He Corrobors.es Some OF
Blaine's Testimcny- Belmont Again
Tries to Take Hand.
WARRINGTON, May 4.-The examination OF
Senator Blair was resumed this morning,
Chairman Williams conducting the examine
tion.
Witness said he early became interested In
the subject of an inter-oceapic canal, and in
that connection with the operations of De
Lesseps. He thought that, with a proper
policy towards Peru on the part of this cOun.
try, the integrity OF her territory might be
preserved and an alliance with her might be
of great value to this country. he believed
in the strength of the assertion Of the Monroe
doctrine.
His first interview with shipherd took place
at his (shipherd'e) Office In New York. Elk.
Senator Crsgin introduced them. The inter.
view was brief. The conversation was IN
substance that he (stipberd) wanted to engage
witness services in bringing the SUBJECT OF the
Peruvian company to the attention OF the
would see him [Shipnerd) latter In regard to it.
The second interview took place at Shep-
herds Office, about the Goth of July. Witness
was under the impIes ion that Gaia was
with him but went away again.. Most OF the
conversation took place between them when
alone. The substance of it was 10 effect that
Shipherd explained at great length the points
of the Cochet claim, and discussed The situa-
ton in Chilli, Peruvian affairs and the prob
abilities that Chilli would accept money in
IDENTITY, and the desire on the part OF those that
he (Shipherd) represented, to assist Peru in
raising the amount required, using the
Cochet claim az bsels Ut the negotiation
with Peru and settlement of this kind to
secure for the United States the incidental ad-
vantages which otherwise might go to foreign
points. understood it was desirable to en-
able Peru to secure the retirement OF the
Ch,lian force from her territory and enable
her to satisfy Chili's demands for indemnity.
1t was my purpose 10 aid in accomplishing
this result.
Mr.. Williams-Will You please be careful to
state to the committee your understanding
of Just W hat Shipherd wanted you TO do.
He wanted me primarily to examine his pa
pers and give my opinion upon them, but
more particularly he desired me to ascertals
the attitude of this government towards Chill
and Peru; LIE wanted nle to see the secretary Of
state and learn what the policy OF this gov,
ernmeut would &c. thought it proper and
right to do so.
Witness understood our government to as
sumo the position of warning away The other
powers.
Witness was asked if he understood that the
Peruvian company expected to be able to fur.
nsh the amount of indemnity which Chill
,rould demand. and replied that there was no
Peruvian com pany at that time. II supposed
there was sort Of syndicate OF gentlemen.
embracing those ne had mentioned TO me ss
being interested in the claim. Do not recall
the names OF all. They are published In the
prospectus, Think"
Chairman Williams then inquired il relation
to the interviews of July 25 and 26 at Blaine's
house.
Witness saw Blaine and told him something
in relation to this matter, but said he did not
care, in 80 important matter. To transmit TO
Shpherd the views of the cepartmtnf, but
desired Blame to SEE Shpherd aud talk with
him. Blame readily assented aud an interview
occurred. The room was full Of company
and the interview was brief, perhaps half an
hour The conversation was general. Moth
ing was said By any one that was not heard hy
all.
Witness could give in general terms the
subject matter. The conversation turned it.
self on the probable policy OF this govern
ment; what attitude our government would
take, and whether its policy would be perna-
DCub dUG WCiI uuuCIeOOOu. ibciu0 oOShSo ~
kno1 something Of the Landreau claim, but
in regard 10 the Cochet claim, after it was ex
planned to him, he raisd some questions at
the interview next morning, lasting about an
hour. Walker Blaine was there short time
and took part in the argument The SUBJ
stance of the interview was pretty thorough
discussion OF the COchet claim. Blaine
made the point that it originated
as claim on Peru by a French citizen and
that ShIpherd could have no rights against
Peru tia. Peruvian would not have; that
the claim seemed merely an assignment to an
American citizen. Shipherd asserted that the
claim was not chosen action, but was based
on actual property. Blaine then seemed to
assent to the proposition, fit was as Ship
herd represented, that an American claimant
would he entitled to the kindly offices Of his
government.
blaiue communicated to the United States
the substance of the instructions ne had given
Hurlbut and Fitzpatrick, and these instruc-
tons which am very sure we're communi-
Gated to the United States at that
time Shipherd said were all 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 coed offices officially in securing
heariLg and adjudication by the government
of Peru. The secretary did not consider the
COcQSG Calm aS cntItItu W tuc cdulO HUH
foreigner to an American.
Witness understood in the negotiations
with Peru that he and Shipherd were author
lzed TO represent in regard to the Lsndresu
claim that in fact tbs Cochet claim was g prior
lien and should take precedence.
Bemont-How do you reconcile that with
the letter of Robert Christy to Blaine, In
which he states he is attorney for the Lam
dreau cl i'm and the only person authorized to
act for 1t.
Williams-If the gentleman will pardon me
have but a question to ask. then I am
through.
Blair-Certainly. If the chairman please,
would like to answer the question. do not
know Christy and have no knowledge
whatever what connection he had with the
Landreau claim. am only giving my UNDER
standing of what was said at the interview
touching the Landreau claim.
Williams then asked if witness az this inter-
view heard any allusion made by Shipherd to
his offer of $3.50. 900 in stock to Hurbut.
Answer-None whatever. l certainly would
have heard 1t if anything of the kind was said.
Adjourned.
The Minneapolis & st. Louis Sale.