New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-15
THE CLAIM MAY BE PAID
A PERUVIAN FUND IN EUROPEAN HANDS
JOHN C. LANDREAU MAY AT LAST RECEIVE THE
MILLIONS DUE HIS BROTHER FOR
HIS GUANO DISCOVERIES.

JOHN C. LASDREAC MAY AT LAST RECEIVE THE
MILLIONS DUE HIS BROTHER FOR
HIS GuANo DISCOVERIES.
II Theophie Landreau had not discovered the
guano depocits OF Peru else would have
done So but this fact does rob him OF the title
OF being OF the benefactors OF mankind. He
himself had little profit from his discoveries. but
there now a likelihood that the celebrated
I.andreau claim against the Peruvian Government
will be paid Al any rate, the prospects are far
brighter for its settlement than they have ever been
before. recent dispatch In The Tribune
nounced that the documents In support Of the de-
mand had been filed with the International Court
OF Arbitration In Lausanne Switzerland. The
time for receiving them expired December 81.
and the messenger handed them in within a few
hours OF the limit set by the court.
The formal claimant for the 200 900 which Peru
this account Is John c. Landreau. Of
Louisiana, brother OF Theophle. The discovery
himself is living in Lima Peru. unless his death
has occurred within a short time. II was in ls40
that he left his birthplace Angoueme. France In
search OF adventures IN the New World. He
then a young physician with considerable knowl-
edge OF the natural sciences and especially OF
chemistry He went directly 10 Central America,
and there travelled extensively. The plan Of
interocearic canal first engaged his attention and
he studied the topography Of Central America mos,
exhaustvely In search OF the most advantage
site. His conclusion was in favor OF the lsthmus
OF Darien: the Atrato River should form part OF
the waterway and the rest should be dug TO the
Bay OF Cupca In laS, Landreau sent eab-
crate memorial to NJ. Bastide the French Minister
OF Foreign Affairs. describing at length the ad-
vantages OF his scheme and asking the aid OF the
French Government In carrying II ont. polite
note OF nowedgment from NJ. Bastide closed
this Incident In Landreau's Many years
later the OF the Atrato River in interoceanic
canal urged by Commander Selfrdge. L. 8. n.
GOLD AND SILVER MINES.
The French wanderer next went 10 Peru which
he explored from end TO end lie visited the most
inaccessible regions and became thoroughly familiar
with the natural resources. Gold. silver and coal
mines he found In plenty. but at such remote dis
tances from the centres OF population that they
at the time OF no practical value. But on the
coast he came upon vast deposits Of guano the
value OF which at once apparent to his scientific
mind. These riches TO be had for the trans
portation. and ships could sail in the immediate
neighborhood of the deposits.
once Lardreau informed the Peruvian Govern
ment OF his discovery the news Of II spread
the world. Whole fleets OF vessels en-
gagged In the guano trade their cargoes putting
lie into European agriculture. At time the
number OF ships in this traffic vas about thou
sand. Peru naturally reaped rich reward from this
commerce. Business OF all kinds quickened into
greatest activity. Fine buildings were put up
and costliest luxuries brought by the returning
guano carriers found ready sale. The wonderful
Orayo Railroad and others built and Peru
in the heyday OF prosperity.
Landreau lost none OF his love Of travel ad-
venture and research account OF this success.
the old Spanish laws to him would come one-third
OF the value OF the guano which was removed. But
dreau in order to secure means for continuing his
explorations took his younger brother into partner
moderate fortune In louisiana and applied part of
It to his brothers enterprises.
NO MONEY FOR LANDREAU
Finally. In 1862. Theophile I.andreau began to
insist upon payment OF the sums due him. sums
which would have made Of him a Croesus But
a. the millions poured into the Peruvian treasury
they had poured out again. and to pay Landreau's
claim was out Of the question. So Q special con-
tract was entered into with him. after much con-
ferrng. the Government refusing to come to terms
until LandEeau made known the situation Of some
d.n, was o 0%sy o agreed that rcysy per
the paymen, Of any money Is 50 concer"sd s"ece.
hs to w S the Sioss S
overwhelming bankruptcy. Theophile Landreau
as 1d woIa % hut a
MS own Government. the United States. After
IN. Of the .nd
psas Of Ss SnS d the 70
always met with protestations OF poverty.
than s. msda s. e
be distributed by the international Court OF Ar
bitration at Lausanne. This is about the present
agreed by Chill and Peru $4,000 had n ac-
ceeds OF Peruvian guano sold by Chill. Subse-
quently. England forced Chill to cede to Englsn,
Peruvian guano proceeds for eight years. making al:
together 10000, CO., Some Of this was pad out. and
loan OF 100000 made to Peru by Dreyfus & Co..
OF Paris for which the guano was said to have been
a GUARANTEED England Chill and France agreed
to leave the distribution of the money to tribunal
Consisting Of three justices OF the Federal Court OF
switzerland On account OF the priority OF the
Iandreau claim. 1t Is possible that the court will