Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-09-18
the Plus FUND CLAIM.
President Diaz Of Mexico Gives History Of
Its Origin,
Grows out Of Claim Presented by
Catholic Church of Upper California
Against the Republic.

Mexico City, Sept. 17.--Presldent DiaS,
In his message TO congress, says of the
Plus claim, now beiIg arbltrated at The
Hague,
"The case In question grows out Of a
claim presented by the Catholic church
Of Upper California against the Mexl-
can republic and upheld by the gov
eminent Of the United States, looking
to the payment of interest on a fund
which was created Ia colonial epochs
for the benefit Of missions In that for-
mer portion Of our territory. Originally
the fund In question was entrusted to
the Jesuits for their California mis-
sions, but as u consequence of Il royal
order which expelled the Jqsuts from
Spanish territory in li6S, the tund
passed to the crown OF Spain, which
entrusted its administration to Il royal
commission, In whose hands II was al
the time when our Independence was
cOnsummated. The national govern
ment continued TO administer the fund,
which was destined for the reduction OF
the barbarous Indians and their con-
version to Christianity; and though in
1886 II caused the fund to be placed al
the disposal of the bishop Of Califor-
mia to be administered by him. that
arrangement was cancelled by a decree
of Feb. S, 1912, and the administration
of the fund reverted to the Mexican
government TO be employed by that
government In such form and manner
as II might determine compatible with
the original intention of the founders.
when. in 1SiS Upper California was
segregated from the Mexican fedora
ton. the Mexican government, taking
its stand principally on article | of the
peace treaty with the United States,
concluded IN that same year, which
pronounced as ended and cancelled all
debts and claims which citizens Of the
United States might alege against
Mexico considered itself released from
all liabilities toward representatives Of
the church Of California, who, If they
believed they had any claim to urge,
ought to have urged 1t against the gov
eminent to which the sovereignty of
Upper California with all its co-rela'
tive rights and obligations, had passed,
Not convinced by considerations TO
which | have alluded the church In
question, Notwithstanding its lack OF
competency went before the JOINT
claims commission, which was held al
Washington under the convention OF
July 4. 1868, demanding the payment OF
interest UP TO date of the claim, Ow-
ing to lack of agreement between the
commissioners, the case was submitted
TO an arbitrator or referee, who, be-
lieving he had found grounds for such
action, sentenced us to pay certain
sum.
"The Mexican government, notwith-
standing that II considered the sem
tence upjust paid the interest assessed
against II on the strength Of that deci-
sion. The California church has since
claimed that the republic ought 10
continue paying interest on the fund,
and its claims were presented through
the diplomatic channel. After an eS.
change Of notes between the represent
alive Of the United States and the min.
lister of foreign relations, and seeing
that no agreement was reached 1--WE on
our side maintaining that the arbi-
trary decision of 1895 did not include
subsequent interest and that there Is
no ground for claiming that interest
or foy regarding the principal itselD.
traitor, or referee, to decide the case OF
The Hague court for adjudication,
II have to add that both governments
In due course appointed their respect
i've arbitrators. who met on the 1st
inst. at The Hague, and these arbi.
traitors In turn appointed a fifth arbi.
traitor. or referee, to decide In cas- Of
disagreement. The Mexican govern
ment confides in the acknowledged in
tegrity and high character OF the jur.
lists who constitute the respected tri-
bunal. and once more engages itself to
comply with the definite sentence ut
tered In this matter"