The Portland daily press., 1882-03-29
THE GILLIAN 1MBRoaGIo.
Instructions Given Mr.. Trescott
by the President.
NO KNOWLEDGE OF A PROTOCOL
HAVING BEEN SIGNED.

WASHINGTON, March 2S- In response to a
resolution adopted by the House calling upon
the President for information as to whether
any protocol has been signed by Mr.. Trescott
or any other diplomatic representative of the
United States, the Secretary of State to-day
transmitted to that body communication in
which he says that up to the present time the
Department of State has received no info-ma-
ton other from Mr.. Trescott or from the dip
lomatic representatives of the United States in
Chilli or Peru that any protocol of the charac-
ter described by the resolution has been signed
by Mr.. Trescott or by any such diplomatic rep
resentative. As coming, however, within the
general scope of the resolution the Secretary of
State transmits the substance of kilograms ex-
changed with Mr.. Tresf o subsequent to the
date Of the last submission of correspondence
to either branch of Congress and the copy of
an instruction mailed to Mr.. Trescott on the
oath ult. The substance of these kilograms is
that the United States proposed only to Civ
counsel and aid in the negotiations between
Chill and Peru and that Chill must determine
for herself whether it was wise to listen to
such counsel; also that the United States
would take no part in negotiations based upon
both the surrender of Tarapaca and payment
of 500 0,000, 900; that the President was desirous
of having the good offices of the United States
made available for the restoration OF peace but
was not willing to become medium for the
proposal, which in his judgment was 80 oner-
GUS that it could not be entertained by Peru;
that the President was convinced that the
United States had no right conferred either by
treaty stipulations or by public law to impose
upon the belligerents, unasked, its views
of just settlement and had no interest at
stake commensurate with the evils that might
follow an interference. In his instructions to
Mr.. Trescott, dated Feb. "a, Secretary Freling-
huysen says: The traditional attitude of the
United States towards her sister republics OF
this continent is one of peace and friendly
counsel. When as colonies they threw OH
Ghoir pOfitioof vOnnootiou With Europe we en-
couraged them by our Sympathles and by the
moral weight of our official declarations we
| prevented Intervention either to restore their
old political connections with Europe or to
create new ones. The policy we then adopted
has been since maintained. While we would
draw them nearer to us by the bonds Of mutual
interest and friendly feeling our sole political
connection springs from the desire that they
should be prosperous and happy under the re-
publican form of government which they and
we have chosen. We aim to be regarded as q
disinterested friend and counsellor but
upon them or to act as an arbitrator or umpire
in their disputes unless moved to 1t by the
wish Of both parties or by the controlling in
| terests of our own. Restraining our action
within this sphere the President desires you to
| continue to urge upon Chill both by arguments
suggested in this instruction and by such
other pertinent arguments not inconsistent
| thereto as may occur to you from your knowl-
| edge of the subject and wisdom and justice
| Of making place without the acquisition OF
| Tarapaca unless the province should eventual
| ly become Chilian through the inability OF
| Peru to pay q reasonable war indemnity to be
I agreed upon. Tho President does not presume
to indicate what that indemnity should be but
he leaves the discretion with you andto assent to
the tender of the good offices Of the United States
to Peru on the basis of very liberal indemnity
to Chilli If the Peruvian territory is spared.
If Chilli insists on retaining any of the terri
tory whose products are or may be claimed by
the creditors OF Peru as mortgaged or hypothe-
loan, the President is not willing to involve
the United States in complications which
might ensue. He prefers to reserve to this
government the full right to determine what
| its action shall be should such complications
hereafter arise"
In a telegram received at the State Departme
| March 9th, Mr.. Trescott says: II have carried
| out your instructions scrupulously. The torms
| Of peace will not be modified by Chill. The
| publication of instructions to me and OF my
I confidential kilograms has made it impossible
| to secure modification. will stay as direct
| cd btu think that with the information
| have can be more useful at Washington than
| here. Do you wish any communication of the
intentions of the United States to Peru OF
Bolivia"
Under date of March Is, Trescott telegraphs
| IT have had full and friendly interview with
the minister of. foreign affairs, and result
think the condition Of affairs requires my pres
| ence in Peru Mr.. Blaine will go to Bolivia
and after comforting with Mr.. Adams will ther
proceed from thence to join me in Peru If you
| do not object. 1t is essential to have trust
| worthy information from both places. You
need feel no fear that shall depart from youl
| instructions"
To this Secretary Frelinghuysen replied
| March 16
"Your suggestion by cable is approved. The
| consul at Valparaiso can be left in charge. and
| tell him to take the archives in his custody"