The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-23
ITALY AND COLOMBIA.
No War Vessels Sent To Force Award
The Exact Status of the Affair.


WASHINGTON. July 20.-There is con-
siderable misapprehension concerning the
exact point of difference between itay
and Colombia growing out OF President
cleveland's award on the claims OF sig
nor Cerruti for losses 10 his properly
in the Department OF Cauca IN $50 IL
is not true. as generally believed mat
the italian war vessels are now at Car
thagena for the purpose OF recurring INC
payment by Colombia Of t6OOD AWARDED
italy for the use Of Cerruu. COLOMBIA
has never protested against this portion
of the award and has paid Hhe install
ments. the money now being in the Jtal-
ian treasury.
Mr.. Cerruti was a member Of the part
nersbip of r. Cerruti & Co. Mr. Cleve-
land decided that Colombia had destroy
ed his means for hqudating the debts
OF that firm and as he might be held
personally liable for them. and as the
chief purpose of the award was 10 place
him in the enjoyment and protection OF
the met sum" mentioned, Mr.. CleVe-
lands decision went further and adJudg,
ed TO Colombia all Of Cerrutis legal ana
equitable rights in all of his property OF
every description in the Department or
Cauca. which had been called in ques-
ton in the proceedings. and required that
Colombia on its part should guarantee
and protect Cerruti against all liability
on account Of the partnership debts ana
reimburse him so far as he might be com
PEELED TO pay any Of these debts which
might be established against all proper
defences he could make. IL is TINS pro-
vision which Italy COW seeks TO enforce.
The counsel for the Colombian Govern
ment in recent interview insisted that
this article concerning the partnership
debts was invalid Messrs. Coudert Bro
theirs. who represented Signor Cerruu in
the arbitral proceedings have made
statement showing that II was competent
for Mr. Cleveland under the protocol TO
make Just the kind Of an award that he
did make. They say it would be impos-
sible 10 deny that under the express Ian
guage Of this protocol the arbitrator had
power 10 determine which OF the claims
Of Cerruti were proper ones for interna-
tional adjudication. and to declare the
amount Of indemnity Cerruu was enti-
tied to receive by that method OF set
tlement Accordingly. they contend. Mr.
Cleveland determined that the damages
TO Cerruti individually and as a member
Of the firm were the subject of interna-
tional adjudication, and that they
amounted to "the net sum Of eco 1000
The partnership creditors have tried 20
seize upon this net sum now In the
possession of italy. Colombia has taken
no steps TO protect Cerruu against their
claims. and the former Government has
been harassed by their opportunities
As Colombia is required by the award 10
protect Cerruti i'm the enjoyment Of the
net sum awarded him. fl is claimed by
the Messrs. Coudert that it is proper for
that Government 10 reimburse him for
such sums as ne may be obliged 10 pay
on these partnership demands during the
continuance Of it's unwillingness 10 abide
by the award and hereafter TO guarantee
and protect him against all liability on
account Of these debts
In behalf of Colombia Il IS contended
that the Colombian Government is made
responsible for all Of Cerrutis Liabilities
which greatly exceed the assets. thus
increasing the amount Of damages which
Colombia must pay to double the amount
Of the award proper. Under the award
the Colombian Government was practi-
cally made receiver for Cerrutis busi-
ness interests and required to settle all
Indebtedness II there was found TO be
an excess Of assets over liabilities Co
lombia was to reap the benefit but if the
contrary developed Colombia was re-
onired to pay the difference The opn-
trary did develop. and the government
Of Colombia protests against being com
pelled 10 meet obligations contracted by
Cerruti This position of the republic IS
supported by reference 10 the fact that
II has already satisfied all claims by
paving the amount OF the award render
ed by Mr. Cleveland.
Baron Fava. the Italian Ambassador
called at the State Department to-day in
connection with the Cerruti case.-New
York Sun.