The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-22
SlGNOR CERRUTFS CLAIM.
ExpIana ton Of President CIeveIahd's
Award Against Colombia.

WASHINGTON. July 21-There is consd-
cradle misapprehension concerning the
exact point of difference between Italy and
Colombia growing out of President Cleve-
lands award on the claims of Signor Ger
ruti for losses to his property in the de-
partment of Cauca in 1855. 1t is not true.
as generally believed. that the Italian war
vessels are now at Carthegena for the pur-
pose of requiring the payment by Colom-
bia of the G60.G00 awarded Italy for the use
of Cerruti. Colombia has never protested
against this portion of the award and has
paid the first Installment, the money now be-
ing in the Italian treasury. 1t will be re-
membered that Cerrut was member OF
the partnership of L. Cerruti & Co. and
that as Mr.. Cleveland found that Colombia
had destroyed his means for liquidating
the debts of that firm. and as he might
be held personally liable for Them and as
the chief purpose of the award was to place
him in the enjoyment and protection of the
met sum already referred to, his decision
went further and adjudged to Colombia all
of Cerrut's legal and equitable rights in
all of his property of every description in
the department of Cauca which had been
called in question in the proceedings and
required that Colombia on it's part should
liability on account of the Observation-Disclosures
and reimburse him so far as he might be
compelled to pay any of these debts which
might be established against all proper de-
lenses he could make. 1t is this provision
which Italy now seeks to enforce. The coun-
sci for the Colombian government in a re-
cent interview insists that this article con-
corning the partnership is invalid.
Messrs. Coudert Brothers, who represented
Signor Cerruti i'm the arbitration proceed
ings, have made a tatement showing that
1t was competent for Mr.. Cleveland under
the protocol, to make just the kind of an
award that he did make. They say 1t would
De impossible to deny that. under the ex-
press language of this protocol the arbitra-
tor had the power to determine which Of
the claims due Cerruti were proper ones for
International adjudication and to declare
the amount of indemnity Cerrut was en-
titled to receive by that method
or or settlement. Accordingly Mr.. Cleve-
lanu determined that the damages to
Cerruti individually and as member of the
trm were the subject of international adj
Judlcation and that they amounted to 1.-THE
net sum OF sixty thousand pounds sterling
BY the further determine ton concerning the
method OF protecting him in the enjoyment
OF TINS amount. by requiring Colombia to
guarantee him against all liabilities and
debts of the firm, Mr.. Cleveland desired 10
make clear and precise the adjudica ton in
Cerrutis favor of the met sum- which he
was to receive. This provision regarding the
partnership debts was necessary to the de-
termination of the amount of Indemnity
which Cerruti was to be paid. Circum-
GO, ~ 10 dsSeiteu nave SHOWN that 1t
was wise provision. The partnership cred
ltors have tried to seize on this net sum
now in the possession of Italy; Colombia
mas taken no steps TO protect Cerruti against
ineir claims and the former government has
been harassed by their opportunities
The protocol authorized Mr. Cleveland
TO do and perform and cause to be done
or performed all things, without any lifnita-
tion whatsoever. which in his Judgment
might be conducive to attaining in a fair
ana equitable manner the ends and purposes
Whlch the protocol was intended to secure"
Under this power ii is claimed thar Mr.
Cleveland was justified in securing to Ger
ruti the enjoyment of the net sum ava ded
nm ana IN imposing on Colombia the pay
ment of the firms debts when by its own
acts 1t had taken away from Cerruti the
means of discharging them