Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-09
THE PERUVIAN COMPANY.
Continuation Of the Cross Examination
of Senator Blair.
The Witness EulOgizes Blalne's Con-
duct in the State Department.

WASHINGTON. May 6.
The examination of Senator Blair was re-
sumed this morning before the Foreign At
fairs Committee.
Blair said he was not aware when the ques-
ton was asked that there any special
| Importance to it, but upon turning over the
evidence he had observed that the committee
might deem it SO in connection with other
matters, he would therefore, answer the
question how much scrip was offered him by
Shipherd, 1000 shares, of par value Of $1,000
per share.
Shipherd had also asked the use of his
name as one of the incorporators of the Pc
ruvian Company, but he had declined it.
Blount then resumed the examination.
The witness then stated that it was under.
stood Chill and Peru had expressed defer.
ence for the wish of our government. The
United States had declined to unite with
France in any steps looking to intervention.
The witness understood the policy of this
government to be to indicate its strong desire
that peace should be accomplished without
any alterations in the territorial jurisdiction;
that the right of the victor to indemnity
should not be challenged, but that Chill
should not. so long as Peru could pay
money indemnity, make the territorial dis
memberment of Peru a condition precedent
to peace he never understood the policy of
this government to be to make any demands,
but simply to use its kind offices.
Representative Blount stated that he asked
the question because the witness position as
United States Senator, and his friendly rela-
tions to Blaine would suggest an acknowl-
edgement on his part Of what that policy
was.
The witness did not think his position as
Senator had an atom of influence one way or
the other.
Blount-What do you mean BY change
of policy?
The witness thought the disposition shown
to pocket the insult involved in the arrest OF
Calderon indicated change of policy.
The witness thought the feeling of the
Peruvian people was in sympathy with the
Peruvian Company as the only means of aid
Certainly, the Peruvian consul in New York
was warmly in sympathy with the company,
and he supposed CalderOn was also. He
did not suppose that Peru would ever consent
to the payment of the entire claim, but sup
posed an adjustment ould be made satisfac-
tory to all parties.
Witness thought Caldron and his Congress
could have made q satisfactory agreement
without recourse to any courts upon which
American capitalists would have founded the
company advanced. The money worked the
guano and nitrate beds, and paid of the in
demnity for the bOndholders of Peru. OF
course this was entirely hypothetical. twas
simply proposition to make a proposition.
Question-Was the upholding of the Cald-
eron government necessary to the success of
the Peruvian Company?
Answer-The affairs of the Peruvian Com
pany. of course failed for the time being,
through the downfall of the Calderon govern
ment. For the time being, the action of
Chilli in arresting Calderon, caused the fail
ure of the plans of the Peruvian Company.
Q.-Blaine stated under oath that he be-
lieved this action of Chill was put up job
on the part of England. Do you take the
same view?
Some amusement was caused by an ex-
change of pleasantries in the effort to reach
an understanding as to the diplomatic mean
ing of the term applied to the affairs of
nations. Witness thought, however, that the
hand of England, and her influence and
money were palpable and plainly evident in
the Chilian management.
Witness, in further reply to questions, ex-
planned at some length his reasons for sew
ering his connection with the company at the
time he did. During his public life he had
always endeavored to avert all and any con-
nection with matters which might require
consideration in his official capacity.
Q.-What reason had you for supposnR
our government would look upon the arrest
of Caleron as an insult!
The witness replied: If he had been Sec
rotary of State he certainly should have re-
garded it as an insult to the government. OF
course this was all in the field Of conjecture
| Question-Is il not a fact that Chill was
not so well prepared for offensive war as Peru
and Bolivar
| Witness thought not. Chill was numeri-
cally inferior, but her people were undoubt.
eddy the best fighters in South America.
They were more united and more patriotic.
and the result has shown their superiority.
Q.-Why were the sympaihies of this
country with Peru?
Aft Chill had been in the position of
Peru and was being pounded and DESTROYED. |
have no doubt our sympathies would have
been with Chill.
| Q--Does it not seem a little singular that
this Cochet claim should have been presented
just at a time when Peru was in such dis
| tress?
Witness admitted that such might be the
case, had it been a new case never before
presented, but this was q claim which had
been urged for forty years.
Wilson asked: Do you know Of any one
fact or circumstance tending to show that
any government official or minister plenipo-
Tertiary OF the United States, was in any
way corruptly interested in the affairs Of the
Peruvian Company.
Witness replied that he knew nothing
whatever of anything that should suggest
anything of the kind
Q-Did you see anything in the conduct
Of Blaine in his management Of the State
Department that indicated that be vas acting