The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-14

WASHINGTON, July 13.-The state
department has been notified that the
Italian government has determined to
adopt force in securing the payment
by the republic of Colombia of the ar
bitration award made by President
Cleveland, in favor of Ernesto Cerruti,
an Italian citizsn, amounting to $3.50, 600.
To this end the Italian government has
Slimmarily closed diplomatic negotia-
tions with the Colombian minister at
Rome, and has notified Admiral Can
dian to proceed with the Italian squad
ron to Cartagena, Colombia, and there
adopt forcible means to collect the
amount.
A dispatch from Caracas, Venezuela,
announces that the Italian squadron,
under Admiral Canadian, left La Guayra
on Monday for Cartagena, in order to
seize the custom house there. The in
formation reaching the state depart
ment is to the effect that the Italian
squadron will arrive at Cartagena IN
the 14th, tomorrow, and that it con-
sists of four warShipo.
In view of the serious possibilities
involved in the case the United States
government has sought to avert an in
ternational crisis On the request OF
the Colombian authorities that the
exercised, word was sent to our charge
d'affaires at Rome to make inquiry into
the status of the case. There appears
to be no disposition on the part of our
government to Interfere in such steps,
as Italy may take for the execution OF
the award, as we are precluded from
contesting an award made by this gov
eminent At the same time it is hoped
that Italy may be disposed to grant
mfr ttyoa -
republic to permit her to pay the award
without suffering the indignity of 4
seizure of her chief commercial port.
AS Italy's action is confined to the
collection of the award and no terri
torial purposes in view, it is said the
Monroe doctrine has no application in
the case, but that it is governed by
the rules which applied to the British
seizure of Cornto, when the British
squadron occupied the custom house
until claim of $4,000 was settled.
, THE CERRUTI CASE.
The Cerruti case grows out of the
political agitation in Colombia in 1885
At that time Cerruti was at the head
CT large company doing business in
the state of Cauca, Colombia. During
the rebelliCus period Cerruti was i'm
prisoned by one of the political fac
lions, his personal property taken from
him ard his business interests wiped
out. he case was first submitted to
Spain for arbitration. but the award
was not considered satisfactory, and
final. Later the Italian government
and that of Colombia agreed by pro-
tocol, On Feb 6, 1895, to submit the
entire question to the president of the
United States. President Cleveland ac-
copied tbs duty, and after lengthy
consideration of the subject rendered
his award on March 2 1897, two days
before the eXpiratio< Of his last term
After disallowing the claims for per-
sonal damages, resulting from arrest
and imprisonment, President Cleve-
lands award for loss of individual
property was, as stated, above $3.50, 600.
FINDING THOUGHT FINAL.
Colombia declined to pay the amount
of the award, on the ground that the
presidents decision was lacking in
finality and left several questions open
to doubt. 1t was finally arranged that
both governments should make inquiry
as TO the meaning of certain features
of the award. The inquiries were sub
m!tted to, THIS government, but it led
to no reopening Of the case, as the au-
thorities here evidently regarded Pres
ident ClevelaSd's finding as final
Thus the matter had stood until now
Italy has decided to abandon diplo-
matte negotiations and leave it with
the admiral of her squadron to settle
by occupying the custom house of CO.
lombia
The Italian ambassador was seen
this evening and said he had no infor-
nation as to the movement of the Ital-
ian fleet or its purpose. The ambassa-
dor declined to discuss the question at
issue, except to say that it had been
finally adjudicated by the arbitration
OF President Cleveland and the Italian
government desired settlement on the
basis of the presidents decision.
Cartagena is a city of $4,000 inhabi-
tants, on the north or Atlantic coast
or Colombia, almost due south of San
tlago, where the American fleet is now
stationed. 1t has large commerce.
NEST of the imports and exports of
Colombia passing through there. CO.
lombia has no navy, its only marine
force being three small revenue cutters.
Ihey would be insignificant against the
fcur Warships of Italy. 1t is expected
therefore, that, unless the seizure is
deferred through the friendly, but in
no way imperative, representations of
the American charge d'affairs at Rome
that Admiral CANADIANS squadron will
take possession of Cartagenas custom
house within the next few hours.
ANOTHER WkP TMMTMTNT