Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-15
The South 1merica 1fair.

South American republics oil Chill, feru anu
Bolivia, was examined by the house commit
tee on foreign affairs to day. He said in gen.
eral terms the object of his mission was to
attempt to bring the belligerent states OF
Chilli, Peru and Bolivia together, and II posi-
BILE make peace. Witness knew nothing what
ever of the correspondence of Shipherd. He
never saw him but once, and none OF his papers
ever came into his (witnesso hands. Just
before witness left Washington for South
America, Blaine showed him one of Shepherds
lc<tvrs and his (Blaine's) reply. 1t was the
letter in which he told Shipherd never to speak
to him again. With this exception witness
knew nothing of Shepherds papers or missing
papers. He had no knowledge that any
corruptly influenced in connection with
the Credit Industriel or any other company.
Never saw or heard anything to indicate that
the late minister Hurlbut was in any way cor
ruptly influenced. The Gillian secretary of
foreign affairs told witness the CHILEAN gov
eminent had no charge whatever to make
against Hurlbut.
Williams stated to the committee he had
been notified the secretary of state would to-
day send congress large mass of original
correspondence bearing upon Trescott's mis-
sion, and unless some member OF the COM
mittee desired to ask further questions, he
thought it better to adjourn few days, to
give them an opportunity to examine this
correspondence.
Belmont desired to put few questions and
inquired: Do 1 understand you Or. Prescott,
TO saw that plan Credit industrial was the
only one that could have been practical?
Answer-It was the only one heard of that
seemed to have sufficient financial status to
warrant acceptation. 1t might furnish means
TO pay war indemnity.
Prescott was asked If he had communicated
with any one since his return from South
America in regard to Credit Industriel, land re-
piled that he had written to Robert Randall in
response to the letter from that gentleman, in
which he called witness attention to certain
portions of Blaine's testimony and asked him
for a statement upon his recoI-
Prescott added, 81 not wish to
be drawn into any contrs Isy as to the men,
ory of either Blaine or Randall. know moth
ing of what passed bstween Blaine and Ran
dali. know Randall as the agent or repre-
sentative of the Credit Industriel. AS l
understand affairs Randall was of the impress
sion that certain relations had been establish
ed between the Credit Industriel and the state
department, and he thought Blaine had taken
ND Landreau's claim and had forced it upon
the two governments of Chilli and Peru to the
detriment of the success of his company. As
point of fact however, the question had never
reached the point of political consideration,
and SO told Randall.
Witness did not remember whether he
drafted the instructions of the state depart
ment to Mr. Hurlbut of June Is. lie was
perfectly willing to answer any and all ques-
lions not conflicting with his obligations to
the president and secretary of state, but all
Official dispatches signed by the secretary OF
stale were his the secretary's) dispatches,
L III faI ha fu of h 10
being questioned IN regard to their authority.
Mr. Belmont stated he deemed it pertinent
10 the inquiry to show that Credit 1udustriel
was the company which was meant in the in
structions of the state department to Mr..
Hurlbut of June 18th, although it was not
mentioned by name. The witness yesterday
made light of it and made the point that
the Credit Industr iel was snot mentioned at
all. He desired witness to state whether he
(witness) had any other company in mind.
Prescott replied that his opinion on the
subject was formed after he reached Peru, end
that from what he had heard there he was
satisfied the Credit Industrlel was the only
agency that might possibly accomplish the
payment of the war indemnity, and it was the
only agency he ever heard of while there.
Belmont asked several other questions in
regard to witness acquaintance with Gilmore,
Suarez and Others, and in explanation stated
his object was to show what kind OF gov
eminent that OF CalGerOn was when ElmOre,
was representative of it and also representa-
tive of the Credit Industriel, and also that it
was well understood that the Credit industrial
was the only company offering practicable
plan, and that it was not thought necessary
i'm dispatches TO mention it by name. That
enquiry was not pursued further. Trescott
was excused with the understanding he be re-
called in few days.
Belmont want to know whether Prescott
drafted this dispatch of June Is, because,
think that in that case he would perfectly we'll
understand it.
Blount remarked he had understood Prescott
to say he did not recollect, and he thought
that should end it.
Belmont am waiting for Prescott to say
whether he did draft that dispatch.
Trescott-I am inclined to think did, but
l would not like to answer positively without
looking over the dispatch, but l ask whether
that is a fair question to put to me. 1t l were
asked to draft dispatch, that is matter
between the secretary and me, and is not the
dispatch his?
Bemont-A dispatch of the state depart
ment is public matter.
Trescott-Yes, but the writing OF it is not
public matter.
After some further discussion on this point
Belmont asked for copies of Trescott's letters
TO Randall. Tres colt submitted that Belmont
had no right to call Dr. them, and the chair
man suggested that the question might go
over for the present