New-York tribune., 1899-07-22
TIE ENDLESS CERRCTI QUEsTTOy.
LETTER FROM s1GSoR CERRUrT ABOUT THE
AWARD OF Ex-PREsIDENT GROVER CLEVE-
LAND AND The CREDITORS OF
TIE CrPPT-TI FATLTRE

When ex-President Cleveland gave his award and
The United States ot Colombia AFTER much hesita-
ton yielding at last naval demonstration OF the
Italian feet had finally paid 70 the Roman Govern
rnent the 10000 francs prescribed ~ the ce-
cison OF the American President. IL was expected
that the Cerrut question which had been the cause
Of both the award and the naval demonstration.
was finally settled. The European pagers say that
# is not 50. but there IS some consolation in tAs
fact that this time the conflict IS not ot an inter-
national character. and that the arbitration o.
America will not be requested. This is an affair 70
b settled between the italian authorities and some
private citizens and II IS rather ironically that the
"azsta del Popolo." OF Turin. sad that the Italian
Government may send one more ullmatum, and 1e-
eide whether or not It IS proper 10 send again q
naval squadron 70 Colombian waters. because few
OF csrruti's creditors do rot choose accept the
reasonable arrangements already approved by the
majority O. those creditors. Meanwhile the Colon
bian Government declared that II on July Is OF this
year these unsatshed creditors had not accepted
IT'S offers for the payment ot the indemnity due
account OF the injuries and losses suffered altssn
years ago through the firm OF Cerruu during . rev.
olutionary outbreak IN Colombia. It would deposit
the amount ot the award IN bank. and advise
the Italian Government The mystery and rlisun-
derstanding about the whole affair are not cleared
up b. the following letter addressed By s.gnor Ger
ruti the Turin newspapers, IN regard TO the ar
t!cls published July OF this year:
ruti. when ,t VII be possible 10 publish he whole
truth IN regard 20 the cad Itao-Colonbian question.
on this account cannot tell now the motives ~
which some creditors satisfied 20 receive thu
share Of the amount 70 which they are entitled oy
the Cleveland arb!tral decision and by thousand
other ask whether Il "a possible 20 call
reasonable conditions according 20 which the in
teres, due tor fifteen years IS nXed al less than IA
per cent year. Ny creditors have a risht
by the decision TO receive their capital. plus the
interest agreed upon previous 20 the fraudulent
arrangement OF 1885. and the Italian Governments
duty Is 10 see TO IL that the sentence should b
promptly and fully executed Several news
papers have announced that had received tbs
sums paid up by Colombia 20 Italy. Permit me 70
profit by this occasion 10 declare that this is
falSehood aud that the Consulta che Roman Min
istry Of Foreign Affairs even IN this part OF the
question has respected neither the arb!tral sentence
nor that rendered last February By the Court OF
Cessation az Rome all chambers ot 4 oeing united
Thus. while. a. recently said IN The Tribune. the
Colombian Government causes the famous professor
Of international law, ". Bureau. TO publish a. Paris
protest against the payment OF the Cerruti claim,
the principal claimant complains that said payment
is not IN conformity with Mr. Cl-velands award.
and TOO small 70 give sat.sfaction 70 the creditors
who lost money invested ineIhe Colombian business
OF Sisnor Cerruti.