Mr. Hay to Mr. Hart.
Washington, January 22, 1902.
(Mr. Hay states that it has been represented to the United States Government that the Colombian Government has seized the vessels of the Compañia Fluvial de Cartagena and also that it has discriminated against the company in the matter of navigation regulations, sailing permits, and government competition. Mr. Hart is instructed to bring the matter to the attention of the Colombian Government and say that an immediate restitution of the property, with full indemnity for damages caused by illegal acts of Colombian authorities toward said company, is requested by the Government of the United States.
That it has also been represented that the Colombian Government fails to afford reasonable protection to the Cartagena-Magdalena Railroad Company and its warehouses, and that the Government interferes with employees of the company and impresses them into the service of the Government, and that it discriminates against the company in respect to its traffic.
That it has also been represented by the Cartagena Terminal and Improvement Company that the Colombian Government discriminates in the administration of law against it by requiring payment of port and light-house dues in gold at Cartagena and not at other ports.
Mr. Hart is directed to immediately bring these matters to the attention of the Colombian Government and to request just treatment of the American companies mentioned above.)