The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-11
CHILE TO SETTLE THE CLAIMS.
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION TO BE
REHABILITATED

seventeen American Claims and
Two Claims by Chile Remain to
He ScttIed-They Were Left UndIs-
posed OF When the Previous Six
Months Term of the Commission
Expired and IL Has been ImpOSsi-
mission RcappOinted.
Washington, Jan, 1O-Secretary Oney
and the Chilean minister have practically
reached a successful conclusion to the long
negotiations for a rehabilitation of the
Chilean claims commission, which ended
its existence by limitation nearly two
years ago without completing its labors,
and it is understood that the commission
will assemble in this city next October and
consider the remaining cases, of which
seventeen are American claims against
Chile, and two, including that for the cap
ture and detention OF the Italia, support
ed by Chile against the United States.
These constitute the sole causes for fric-
ton between the two countries, which
have been notably cordial In the profess
sion of friendship for the past year, and 1t
is believed the settlement will dispose of
any lingering animosity which resulted
from the Baltimore affair and other Incl
dents which led the Chileans to the verge
of war with this country. The present
visit of Admiral Bearslee in the flagship
Philadelphia to Valparaiso is thought to
have contributed considerably to this re-
suit.
When the six months existence of the
last commission, of which the then Swiss
minister Alfred de Claparede, was presi-
dent came to an end, after having dis
posed of twenty-five cases, every effort
was made by Secretary Gresham to in
duce Chile TO extend it's term, but a cabi-
net crisis occurring in that country just
at that time, it was found impossible to
accomplish anything in that direction.
AT the instance of this government
however, negotiations were resumed and
eventually Chile proposed an arrangement
for the pro rata settlement of the remain
ing cases by the payment of such
amount of the face of the remain
ing claims, as the aggregate amount
awarded by the commissioners on claims
they had already settled bore to the face
amount of the claims left over. Chile
pointed out that England, France Spain
and other countries had found this method
satisfactory with their claims, but the
administration insisted tnap every claim
had to be examined and settled on its
merits by a commission. Chile then sug-
gested lump compromise and when this
was also rejected, that government Of
fered to agree to another commission,
provided it sat at Santiago. as the claim
ants were mostly Americans, and on con-
dition that the claim of the North and
South American Construction Company
should be ruled out.
Secretary Olney declined to consent to
either of these propositions and sought to
have the old commission rehabiitated as
far as John Goode. the American MEM
Der and Senior Cana, the Chilean member,
were Concerned with a new president in
place of NJ. de Caparede, who had gone
home, and that the proceedings should
continue from the point at which they
were Interrupted after twenty-five cases
had been adjudicated. Fortunately year
ago it was found possible to get rid of the
North and South American Construction
Company as an impeachment, and by a
compromise, Senior Cana paying Secretary
Olney $4,000 on Jan. 15 last this was set
tied permanently. With this out of the
way ii is understood that Chile has at last
consented to resuscitate as early as pos
sible the old commission, and have IL COM
plete its work next fall.