The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-05
Mr.. Gresham and the ChilIan Claims

While Chili's refusal to grant an extern
sion OF time for the sitting Of the Claims
Commission Is not only most unexpected
but open to grave criticism. 1t becomes also
q serious question how far the conduct OF
our own Department Of State has imperll ed
the interests OF the American claimants.
With the downfall Of BALMACRpA and the
close OF the Gillian civil war In 1891. various
foreign nations presented claims against
the Government at Santiago for the indem-
MITIGATION Of their citizens for injuries to
person or property. The British claims.
which. We believe. were very heavy.
were founded largely on damages to
nitrate works. railroads. and buildings
ruined during the bombardment OF
Iqulque. on losses In Valparaiso after the
battle Of La Placilla. and on the deten-
ton OF commercial vessels. The Spanish
and Italian claims covered the sacklng OF
shops after the surrender Of Valparaiso to
the troops Of the Junta. The American
claims included the destruction OF property.
the seizure OF nitre beds. the seizure OF
bank notes. the cutting OF telegraph lines.
the detention OF vessels. and other inju-
ries; and some. we believe. involving large
amounts. had originated long before. In the
war between Chill and Peru.
Minister EoAS negotiated. In July. 1892.
q satisfactory treaty for the adjudication
OF these American claims and any claims Of
Chilli against the United States. by an arbi-
tration commission. At that time there
were only thirty on file at our Legation,
and only twenty. the evidence for which
was also mostly on file. seemed likely 10 be
prosecuted; while Chilli had but three to
Offer The Gillian Foreign Minister. &c
cordingly. suggested and urged brief sit
ting OF the Commission. TO save expense
and Mr.. EGAN thereupon accepted six
months. as likely to be sufficient.
But when the Commission met last Au-
gust the number Of American claims had
been swollen TO not less than thirty-nine
by additions filed In Washington. and
the Commission desired to have twelve
months for their consideration. II appears
also. from Mr.. EGAS's statement. which We
published yesterday. that thersupon the
Gillian Minister. the Gillian Commissioner,
and the Gillian agent all expressed the
opinion that there would be no difficulty in
procuring the assent OF their Government to
an extension Of time. which they undertook
to recommend; and further that, on the
strength OF this opinion. allowances OF
time were made for pleadlngs and for filing
evidence. answers. and rebuttals, and SO on,
which assumed that several months ad-
ditlonal could be secured. In other words.
whereas the treaty now expires by limita-
tion on April snext. the maximum delay
lawful under the rules adopted might carry
the final decision on q case up to Aug. 5.
That It was unwiss to assume the grant
ing Of an extension Is now clear; and the
American counsel. Judge SHIELDS. Is on
record. II appears. as having formally pro-
tested against rules which would permit
such pOstDOnements. The rules we're. Ia
fact. somewhat modified. yet not SO as 70
avoid possible failures In some cases.
What Is specially TO be noted. however. IL |
Mr.. EaAS's Ststsmsnt that so long ago a.
last August he personally. in Washington. |
called MIR. GREsHAMs attention to the need |
Of securing more time for the Commission. |
under the rules 1t had adopted; that all |
three Commissioners. the Swiss. the Gillian.
and the United States. together with the
Gillian and United States counsel. signed a |
formal resolution asking for al extension
Of time TO twelve months. and Forwarded Il !