New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-21
SIGNOR CERRUTT'S AWARD.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE BETWEEN
ITALY AND COLOMBIA.

Washington. July 2o-There is considerable ms
apprehension concerning the exact poin' Oh eH
ference between Italy and Colombia growing OUT VI
President Cleveand's award on the Chains q
Signor Cerruti for losses TO his property III 'no
Department of Caucd. In 1855 IL Is not "ue Dc
generally believed that the Italian war vessels are
now al Cartha cena for the purpose OF requiring 'ne
payment by Colombia CT the 10000 awarded 20 i'a!
for the of Cerruti. Colombia has never pro-
tested against this portion OF the award ana mas
paid the lrstalmcnts. the money now beihg III inc
italian Treasury II will be remembered that Ger
r,;;i was II member Of the firm OF f. Cerruu q
Co. ard that as Mr.. Cleveland found that Coiom-
bia had destroyed his means for liGuidating inc
debts Of that firm. and as he might be heid pei.
sonaly liable for them. ard as the chief purpose OF
the award was TO place him In the enjoyme ana
proteciion Of the net sum- already referred TO. his
decision went further. and adjudged 10 COLOMBIA
all Of Cerruti's legal and equitable rights In all Oh
his property Of every description IN the Department
Of Cauca which had been called In question IN
the proceedings and required that Colombia on us
pa-: should guarantee and protect Ccrrutl against
all liability on account Of the partnership debts
and reimburse him so far he might I've COM
PEELED TO pay any Of these debts which might De
established against all proper defences he coud
make II Is this provision which ltaly now seeks
to enforce.
Tho counsel for the Colombian Government. in
recent Interview insists that this article concern
ing the partnership debts is invalid Couder'
Brothers who represented Slgnor Cerruti in the
erbitral proceedings have made a statepent. show
Ing that II was competent for Mr.. Cleveland under
the protocol. to make just the kind Of an award
that he cid make They say it would be Impossible
to deny that under the express language OF this
protocol the arbitrator had power 10 determine
which az the claims OF Cerrut were proper ones for
international adjudication. and 10 declare the
amount Of indemnity C.rruti was entitled TO re-
ceive by that method OF settlement.
Accordingly Mr. Cleveland determined that the
damages to Cerruti individually and as member
OF the firm were the subject Of international adj
Indication and that they amounted to the net
sum of 10000" BY the further determination CON
corning the method of protecting him In the enjoy
ment OF this amount. by requiring Colombia 10
guarantee him against all liabilities and debts OF
precise the adjudication in Oerrutis favor of the
met sum" which he was to receive This pro-
vision regarding the partnership debts was neces-
sary TO the determination of the amount OF In
stances II is asserted have shown that II was
wise provision. The partnership creditors have
tried TO seize upon this net sum now in the pos
session of Italy. Colombia has taken no steps TO
protect Cerrut against their claims, and the for
mer Government has been harassed BY their i'm
porunites $50
The protocol authorized Mr.. Cleveland ito do and
perform and TO be done or performed all
things, without any limitation whatsoever, which
in his judgment might DE conducive 10 attaining
poses which tie protocol was intended TO secure.
Under this power IL Is asserted that Mr.. Cleve-
land justified In securing 10 Cerruti the enjoy
ment of the net sum awarded him, and In imposing
when by its own acts II had taken away from Ger
ruti the means for discharging them