Evening journal., 1898-07-14
ITALY WANTS MONEY
Sends Ships to Seize Carta-
gena Custom House.
COLOMBIA WON'T PAY INDEMNITY.
Damages Awarded Co italian Citizen by
President Cleveland as Arbitrator Are
Due and Unpaid-McKinley Try
Ing to Settle the Difficulty.


WASHINGTON, July 14.-The state
department has been notified that the
italian government has determined &c
adopt force in securing the payment by
the Republic Of Colombia Of the arbi-
tration award made by President Cleve-
land in favor Of Ernesto Cerruu an
Italian citizen. amounting to $25O,O0O.
To this end the Italian government has
summarily closed diplomatic negotia-
Gons with the Colombian minister at
Rome and has notified Admiral Can
diani to proceed with the Italian squad
ron to Cartagena, Colombia, and there
@dopt foTcible means to collect the
amount. A dispatch from Caracas
Venezuela. announces that the italian
squadron, under Admiral Candiani. left
La quayra on Monday for Cartagena
In order TO seize the custom house there
The information reaching the state de-
partment ia to the effect that the italian
squadron viii arrive at cartagena to-
day and that 1t consists OF four war
Ships.
In view of the serious possibilities in
volved In the case, the United States
government has sought to avert an i'm
mediate crisis. On the request OF. the
Colombian authoHtieS that the good Of
fees OF the United States be exercised,
word was sent to our charge dianaires
at Rome to make inquiry into the status
OF the case. There appears TO be no
disposition on the part Of our govern
pent TO interfere io'eueh steps as Italy
may take for the execution OF the
award. as we are preciuded from CON
testing an award made by this govern
ment- At the same time Il is hoped
Chat Italy Will be disposed TO grant suf-
dcient time to the South American re-
public 10 permit her TO pay the award
without suffering the indignity Of a
seizure OF her CHIEF commercial port
AS Italys purpose Is confined to the col
lection OF the award and has no terri
torial purposes IN view. It is said that
the Monroe doctrine has no application
to the case. but that It is governed by
the rules which applied TO the British
seizure OF Corinto when the British
squadron held the custom house until 8
claim OF $4,000 was settled.
The Cerruti case grows out OF the po-
litical agitation in Colombia in 1888. Al
that time Cerrlti was at the head OF &
large company doing business In tht
state OF CaucA Colombia. During tn,
rebeilious period Cerruti was imprlson
ed by oua OF the political factions. hi
personal property taken from him anC
his business interests wiped out. Tn,
case was frst submitted to Spain foi
arbitration. but thu award was not con
sidered satisfactory aud final Late
the italian government and that OF Co
Iombia agreed by protocol on Feb.
1885, 10 submit the entire question Z
- An
President Cleveland accepted the dut,
and after a lengthy consideration Of tn
subject rendered his award on Marc
2. 1897, two days before the expiratio'
OF his last term. After disailowing tn
claims for personal damages resultin
from arrest and Imprisonment Presi
dent Cieveland's award for loss Of in
(iividual property was as follows:
II award e60,O0o (3sOO0oo). OF whicl
sum e1o,OOO Cs5o, ,oo0), having been al
ready paid the gove nment OF the Re
public OF Colombia will IN addition pa
to the government q italy for the rs
OF eignor Ernesto Cerruti 10000 $3.50,
00o) thereof within 60 days from tn
date hereof and the remaining R4O.00
(s200 OO01 within nine months of tn
date hereof, with interest from date a
the rate OF 9 per cent per annum unit
paid, both payments 20 be made b
draft payable In London, with ex
change from Bog0ta at the time Of pay
ment,"
Colombia declined TO pay the amour
OF the award on the ground that tn
presidents decision was lacking I
inality and left several questions ope
10 doubt II was finally arranged tina
both governments should make in
quiries as to the meaning OF certai
features Of the award. The inquire
we're submitted 10 this government
but II led "a no reopening OF the cas-
~ tho authorities here evsgertlT iv
4,.arded President Cieveiand's finding a
anal. Thus the matter has stood. unit
now Italy has determined to absndo
diplomacy and leave II with the admirs
OF her squadron TO collect the amour
by occupying the custom house OF Car