The San Francisco call., 1898-01-10
QUESADA'S VERY PETTY
 SPITEV0RK AnimuS of His Award Against the United
 States. Decision Adverse to the Claims of Am orleans
 Not Accepted. Why Argentina's Representa- tive Favored Mexico While
 an Arbitrator. HATRED FOR UNCLE SAM. Was Beaten in Diplomacy by Blaine.
Why Argentina's Representa- tive Favored Mexico While
 an Arbitrator.
HATRED FOR UNCLE SAM.
It Dates Back to the Time When He
 Was Beaten in Diplomacy by Blaine.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, Jan. s.-The Herald's Washington correspondent telegraphs: Behind the exclusive announcement recently made in the Herald that the claims of Oberlander of San Diego and Messenger, citizens of the United States, against the Government of Mexico, for damages to their persons and property by Mexican officers for S50,0O0 and s25,000, respectively, had been decided adversely to the Ameri- can claimants by the arbiter, Senor Don Vicente G. Quesada, Argentine Minister at Madrid, there lies an inter esting history of diplomatic intrigue.
 The award of Senor Quesada Is not accepted by the Department of State, as it is not based upon sound pub lie or international law. It ignores en- tirely all precedent, the consideration being that. as the United States had declined to recognize the rights of the Government of China to recover in demnity for the murder of certain Chinese subjects in Wyoming, it was precluded from claiming damages in the case of Oberlander and Messenger. Although there is nothing in common between these cases and the Chinese murders, the outrage in one case being perpetrated by officers of Mexico and in the other by private persons, Senor Quesada held them to be parallel.
 When the matter of arbitration was first discussed several persons were considered, but none was found compe- tent until Senor Quesada was sug- gested by MT. Romero, the Mexican Minister, who alluded to the fact that
 
 Washington, where he had seen ser vice for several years, and was fami- liar with English and American law, in addition to civil law. The depart ment acquiesced in the selection, and the papers were duly placed in the hands of Senor Quesada.
 When President Harrison determin- ed upon an aggressive attitude toward Chile during the winter of 1S91-92, for the purpose of recovering the indem- nifty of S75,000 for injuries inflicted upon American seamen in Valparaiso, and, in expectation of resistance on the part of Chile, inaugurated a movement looking to actual hostilities. the situation became very grave. Dip lomatic negotiations were carried on by MT. Blaine. as Secretary of State.
 MT. Blaine received a call from Senor Quesada, who was then Argentine Min ister, and who in great confidence stated that in the event of. war with Chile the United States might desire to transport troops across the Andes, through the passes, and the Argentina Government was prepared to offer cer- tain privileges to the United States.
 It was rumored in Buenos Ayres that a secret treaty of alliance between the two existed which could only be check mated by similar alliance with the United States. Some further meetings and correspondence followed.
 MT. Blaine in the meantime was yer bally urging MT. Montt. the Chilian plenipotentiary, to ask arbitration, while the President had let it be known that he would not submit a question of honor to the judgment of others These negotiations were taking place when the President abruptly ordered that MT. Egan present at once an ulti- matum demanding indemnity and im- mediate apology.
 Senor Quesada meanwhile was busily engaged in drafting treaty of alliance and congratulating himself on the CleNST I1dLucI III WHICH AAS had been accomplished. MT. Blaine, at the same time, was entertaining and encouraging proposals for the purpose of peace from Brazil, against whom Senor Quesada was principally direct ing his shrewdness and diplomatic skill.
 Next followed an apology and offer of reparation on the part of Chile. It served together with diplomatic corre- spondence, then made public, to thor oughly convince Senor Quesada that he had been made the victim of his own indiscretion. He remained in Washing ton for brief period though sufficient ly long to openly declare his undying disgust for everything American, his pronounced hatred for the United States in general and its department of state in particular. Upon his own re- quest he was transferred to Madrid and departed in silence, without exchang- ing the usual compliments and regrets.