The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-14
Custom House mt CartRgena to BE
Seized To-Day to Enforce COIIec-
ton of a Claim of $20O,OOO.
BY Mr.. CLEVELAND
WHICH WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE
COLOMBIAN AUTHORITIES.
No Protest Made by the United States,
but the Good Offices of the Gov
ernment Exercised.

WASHINGTON, July 13-The State De-
partment has been notified that the Italian
government has determined to adopt force
in securing the payment by the Republic
of Colombia of the arbitration award made
by President Cleveland in favor of Ernesto
Cerruti, an Italian citizen, amounting TO
$3.50, 600 To this end the Italian govern
ment has summarily closed diplomatic nego-
tiations with the Colombian minister at
Rome, and has notified Admiral Candiam
to proceed with the Italian squadron TO
Cartagena, Colombia and there adopt forci-
BILE means to collect the amount. dis
patch from Caracas, Venezuela, announces
that the Italian squadron under Admiral
Capdiani left Laguayara on Monday Tor
Cartagena, in order to seize the custom
house there. The information reaching the
State Department is to. the effect that the
Italian squadron will arrive at Cartagena on
the 18th Cto-morrow) and that it consists
of four war ships.
In view of the serious possibilities involved
in the case, the United States government
has sought to avert an immediate crisis.
On the request of the Colombian autnorlties'
that the good offices of the United States
be exercised, word was sent to our charge
d. affaires at Rome to make inquiry into the
status of the case. There appears 10 De
no disposition on the part of our govern
ment to interfere in such steps as italy may
take for the execution of the award. as we
are precluded from contesting an award
made bv this government. AT the same
time it is hoped that Italy may De olsposeu
to grant sufficient time to the South Amer
lean Republic to permit her TO pay inc
award without suffering the lnd'gnlty vi
seizure of her chief commercial port AS
Italv,s purpose is confined to the collection
of the award and has no TERRITORIAL purpose
in view it is said that the Monroe doctrine
has no application to the case Du' 'lia' :. 40
governed by the rules which applied TO the
pr;,isb seizure of Corinto, when the British
squadron occupied the custom mousse uii'i'
a claim of 1900 was settled.
The Cerruti case grows out of the pollu-
cal agitation in Colombia in 1885. AT that
time Cerruti was at the head of large
comnanv doing business in the State OF
Cauca. Colombia During the rebelious pc
Rod C,erruti was imprisoned by one of the
political factions, his personal properly
taken from him and his business interests
vUined ont. The case was first submitted 10
snain for arbitration, but the award was
mt considered satisfactory and final Later
the Italian government and that or Colom-
hia agreed by protocol, on Feb. D. $780, 10
submit the entire question to the president
of the United States. President CleVelailo
accented the duty and after lengthy con-
sideration of the subject rendered his award
on March 2, 1897, two days before the expl-
ration of his last term. After disailo"ihs
the claims for personal damages resulting
from arrest and Imprisonment, PresloehI
Cleveland's award for loss OF lnolVlouai
property was as follows:
81 award 100000 ($3O0, OO0), of which sum
10000 $3.50, OO0) having been already paiu'
the government of the Republic or Colom-
bia will. in addition, pay to the government
of Italy for the use of Senior Ernesdo Ger
ruti 10000 sterling (S5OOOO Thereon WITHIN
sixty days from the date hereof, and the re-
naming $4,000 ($200, 600 within nine months
of the date hereof, with interest from GATE
at the rate of per cent per annum until
Maid. both payments to be made by draft
payable In London, England, with exchange
from Bogota at the time of payment.
Columbia declined to pay the amount ol
the award on the ground that the Fresi-
dents decision was lacking in hnaIty ana
left several questions open to doubt. 1t was
finally arranged that both governments
should make inquiry as to the meaning of
ouiries were submitted to this government,
but it led to no reopening of the case, as
the authorities here evidently regarded
President Cleveland's finding as final. Thus
the matter has stood until now. Italy mas
determined to abandon diplomacy and leave
# with the admiral of her squadron to col
lect the amount by occupying the custom
house of Cartagena.
Baron Fava the Italian ambassador, was
seen tonight and said he had no direct in
formation as to the movement OF the ltallan
fleet or it's purposes The ambassador de-
clined to discuss the case at issue, except
to saw that it had been finally adJudicated
nv the arbitration of President Cleveland,
and the italian government desired settle
ment on the basis of the Presidents decl-
sion.
Cartagena is a city of 5000 inhabitants
on the north, or Atlantic, coast OF Colon
hia. almost due south of Santiago, where
the American fleet is now stationed. 1t mas
q large commerce, most of the imports and
exports of Colombia passing through there.
Colombia has no navy, its only marine
force being three small revenue cutters
They would be insignificant against the four
war ships of Italy. 1t is expected, there
fore. that unless the seizure is deferred
through the friendly, but in no way impera-
tive representations of the American
charge at Rome. that Admiral Candianfs
squadron will take possession OF Carriage
mas custom house within the next few