Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Beaupré reports that he has received from the Colombian minister for foreign affairs a reply concerning the subject-matter of Department’s telegram of January 22, 1902, which reply is as follows:

  • First. The Colombian Government vindicates the right of compulsory [Page 286] use made of the vessels as being justified, during a disturbance of public order, by urgent necessity, precedent, international law, and the provisions of the treaty, article 8 of which is quoted.
  • Second. The Colombian minister for foreign affairs contends that because the company will receive hire and indemnification it has benefited by the seizure, whereas otherwise the vessels would have been forced to remain idle.
  • Third. That the governor of Bolivar has offered to the company’s representative fair terms of settlement, both as to the return of the vessels, hire, and indemnification, which offer has failed owing to the perversity of Ford, the company’s agent, who would not concede two points insisted upon by the Government, viz, that the Government would not again take the vessels, and that the Government would not interfere with the vessels carrying freight for the Government.
  • Fourth. The governor will be instructed to return the vessels to the company, to settle the question of hire and indemnification, and to advance moneys necessary for repairs.

Regarding the railway company, the governor is instructed to report as to complaints of want of protection, recruiting of employees, and interference in traffic. The minister for foreign affairs complains of want of precision in statement of grievances.

Regarding the terminal company, the minister for foreign affairs makes the same complaint; vindicates the right of the Colombian Government to levy dues in gold, but denies that this company has been singled out for harsh treatment.

The minister for foreign affairs commented unfavorably on the disposition of Ford, first, because of his arbitrarily fixing railway rates in currency unrecognized in Colombia, to the prejudice of commercial interests in Cartagena; second, in appealing to a diplomatic representative without having first had recourse to the tribunals of the country, and third, because of his unpleasantness, rudeness, and perverseness in dealing with officials of the Colombian Government.)