Mr. Hill to Mr.
Beaupré
.
Department of State,
Washington
,
June 28,
1902
.
No. 407.]
Sir: I inclose copy of a dispatch from the
United States consul at Barranquilla, forwarding correspondence alleging
the forcible expropriation by the Colombian military authorities at
Santa Marta, without compensation, of the property of American
citizens.
You will notify the Colombian Government that this Government will hold
it responsible for any proven cases of the seizure of American property
for military purposes without due compensation.
I am, etc.,
David J. Hill,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Colvig to
Mr. Hill
.
Consulate of the United States,
Barranquilla, Colombia
,
June 4, 1902
.
No. 20.]
Sir: You will note by the inclosed letters
that a very disturbed condition of affairs exists at Santa Marta,
Colombia, which is at present occupied by a large force of
Government troops. Messrs. Senter and Edwurn are American citizens
engaged in business near the town and reside in said place. It is
evident that the civil authorities are unable to control the troops,
and it would therefore seem important that the United States should
take some appropriate measure to command respect and afford
protection to the American residents there.
I respectfully lay the matter before the Department as to what
measures should be adopted to effect the desired end.
I am, etc.,
George W. Colvig, U. S. Consul.
[Subinclosure 1.]
Mr. Trout to
Mr. Colvig
.
Consular Agency of the United States,
Santa Marta
,
May
31, 1902
.
Sir: I beg to call your attention to the
herewith inclosed statements of Messrs. Edwurn and Senter, in which
a gross injustice is reported to have been done to American
residents of this city, and which the chief authorities absolutely
refuse to take notice of.
The facts are that the house of an American resident of this city has
been entered by the Government troops, and without the knowledge of
said American personal property has been taken there to the value of
at least $300 gold, and, as above stated, on protest being made to
the governor he refuses to take any notice of the action of his
troops. I therefore believe that public exigencies require the
presence of a United States man-of-war at this port, and would
request that one be ordered to visit this port with as little delay
as possible.
I am etc.,
William A. Trout,
U. S. Consular Agent.
[Page 306]
[Subinclosure 2.]
Mr. Senter to
Mr. Trout
.
Santa Marta
,
May
31, 1902
.
Dear Sir: The numerous inconveniences and
insults we foreigners have been subjected to lately in Santa Marta
have culminated in the forcible entry of our houses and the taking
therefrom our personal property.
At daylight this morning my house was forcibly entered and my saddle
horse and a mule taken for Government use, without compensation or
receipt, and my efforts to get restitution are met by the governor’s
statement that the Government is in no way responsible for illegal
acts of its soldiery. This statement was made to me in the anteroom
of the governor’s office, in the presence of a number of people, and
you can readily imagine had a bad effect on foreigners’ interests
here.
I wish again to urge the necessity of a ship’s presence here for our
protection.
Yours, very truly,
[Subinclosure 3.]
Mr. Edwum to
Mr. Trout
.
Santa Marta
,
May
31, 1902
.
Sir: In accordance with your suggestion I
make the following report of an occurrence this morning:
At daylight this morning a squad of police or military forced its way
into the house of Mr. Henry M. Senter and myself, and without
warning or explanation, or the giving of a receipt, took from us two
horses and a mule. We immediately sought the proper authorities, who
informed us that they agreed it was an evil deed done by ignorant
soldiery, and while the Government held itself “morally responsible,
it was not legally so for the acts of its soldiers and police.” The
governor refuses to return the animals.
We are informed that this act has been repeated in the house of at
least one other foreigner to-day.
Yours, very respectfully,
