Evening star., 1894-01-04
WHY CHILE DECLINED
To Consent to the Continuance of the
Claims Commission.
A Cause Suggested, but Denied by the
Friends of Chfle-Large Number of
United States Claims Filed.

There Is considerable speculation as to
the causes that induced the Chilean govern
ment to reject the overtures of the United
States for an extension of the existence
Of the United States-Chilean claims COM
mission, but so far all efforts to obtain an
official statement on the subject have fall
ed. Some time ago the Secretary of State
prepared a statement setting forth that,
owing to certain unlooked-for complications
or delays the commission appointed to ad-
just certain claims between the United
States and the Chilean government could
hardly dispose of the cases submitted with
In the six months stipulated in the original
treaty under which the commission was
created. draft OF a new treaty was sent
to Mr.. Porter, our minister at Valparaiso,
and he submitted 1t to the Chilean govern
nent. The proposition for an extension
OF time for the consideration of the claims
was emphatically declined, and notice Of
that fact was transmitted to the Secretary
OF State. Minister Porter has not yet Of
fered any further explanation of Chile's
rejection of the proposition.
A Possible Cause.
1t is suggested that in view of the fact
that Chile has presented but three cases
agains- the United States involving a COM
paratively small sum OF money, while on the
other hand the United States has presented
to the commission thirty-nine cases. in
volving several millions of dollars. IT
may be the policy of the Chilean govern
ment to hold the United States up to the
strict letter of the original treaty, and thus
avoid the settlement of some of the pending
claims. Under the stipulations of the treaty
II the claims are not settled within the six
months during which the commission is
authorized TO pass upon them, they pass
into history as unadjusted claims
The friends of the Chilean goveruynepf
according TO a dispatch In the New York
Sun, deny that any such motive prompted
their government in refusing to grant an
extension OF the time. They suggest that
II is possible that the proposition to amend
the treaty or grant an extension was not
submitted in time for the Chilean congress
to act upon it. 1t was submitted in the
early part of last month. Some of the
Chileans now claim that their congress was
about to adjourn. and therefore they did
not have time to consider the proposed
months.
The Chilean Claims.
As the matter now stands. it is probable
that many OF the cases which have been
submitted may not be fully considered. as
the commissions functions cease on Aprtl
y. Thus far only a few of the minor claims
have been disposed Of on demurrer. Some
have been argued and demurrers have been
filed. The three Chilean claims have been
heard, but in each case a demurrer has been
filed The first Chilean claim is that OF the
South American Steamship Company for
the seizure OF the vessel Itata. Damages
Tor detention &c, are estimated at x25Usyl
The other two claims are brought by Ricar-
dc L. Trumbull. the Chilean agent for the
provisional government who was arrested
Tor purchasing arms ana munitions OF war
He was tried and acquitted and now sues
the United states for illegal arrest and
claims S5O.OU damages. Trumbun also
claims 5000 attorneys fees. for services
rendered In connection with the extra dition
of one Bushnell In New York.
Some United states Claims.
Among the United States claims there are
eight cases filed by Grace & Brother OF New
York growing out Of the seizure of niter
beds. FOR illegal customs exactions deten-
ton OF vessels. and other depredations dur
ing the Chile-Peruvian war. The North
ern and Southern Construction COMPANY
seized a large amount or property and used
1t In connection with the construction Of
ooV miles OF railroad, and there are other
complications growing out OF the building
oi .s tne road. The claim is estimated at
*60ooO. Some of the other United States
claims are those of W. s. Schrigley for de-
struction of property during the Balmaceds
insurrection. and the Central ana South
American Telegraph Company for cutting
out Its cable and taking possession or tts
property at Iquique, sl5O.OOO. In the case of
the Grace Brothers, the Chilean counsel has
MED demurrer. and dispositions will be
aiken in New York on January 10 Another
clalm relates to the guano bed cases, in
Eoiving s3.ooo.Vo; another is the Wells
Fargo & Company claim for seoOU for the
seizure or certain American bank notes nv
the chilean government. There are other
equally important claims pending.