Mr. Beaupré to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, September 8,
1903.
No. 131.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that during the
last year or so there has been growing in this Republic a great
hostility toward the Syrians, “Turks,” as they are generally known.
About a year ago there was a hostile demonstration made against them at
Girardot, resulting in the destruction of considerable property.
There are about 1,800 Syrians in Colombia, located in the various centers
of trade, and by their energy and business capacity they have succeeded
in controlling a vast amount of traffic. It is their keen business
qualifications which has caused the enmity of Colombian merchants, for
their methods secured the trade as against Colombian competition.
Some of these Syrians are American citizens, by naturalization, but I
have not been called upon to intervene in their behalf until
recently.
[Page 128]
On the night of the 18th of July, 1903, a mob of natives attacked the
Syrian colony in Honda. The doors of dwellings and stores were broken
open, furniture destroyed, and a large amount of merchandise stolen. The
buildings were injured by rifle and revolver shots, stones and other
missiles. Several of the Syrians were badly wounded, and all of them
were forced to flee from the city and seek shelter in the forest.
Anarchy reigned for a day or two, when the authorities were able to
regain control. Among those who suffered was Simon Chemas, and his
brother, citizens of the United States. I have asked our consular agent
at Honda to furnish me with a report as to the damages sustained by
these American citizens, but as they have not returned to Honda since
the night of the attack, the report is not yet prepared. I have certain
information, however, that their losses are trifling, and no claim for
damages is likely to be made.
Upon receipt of telegraphic information from Honda, I addressed a note to
the minister for foreign affairs, to which he afterwards replied.
(Copies and translation inclosed.)
The occurrence in Honda has excited the populace in various parts of the
country where the Syrians are located, and there is almost a certainty
of similar attacks. Mr. Ricardo Deeb, an American citizen, owns a large
store in Chiquinquira, and upon receipt of news that a hostile
demonstration was expected there I sought an interview with the minister
for foreign affairs and asked his intervention to the end that
protection should be extended to Mr. Deeb. This he promised, and said
that orders would be sent at once to the local authorities.
To-day I was shown a telegram from Chiquinquira, saying that on the night
of the 6th instant the house of Mr. Deeb had been stoned and that he was
without protection. I at once addressed a note to the minister for
foreign affairs, copy of which is inclosed.
There are not more than four or five Americans in the Syrian colony,
which is fortunate, for there is certain to be more trouble.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Beaupré to
Doctor Rico.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, August 20, 1903.
Sir: It is with profound regret that I am
compelled to call to your excellency’s attention the case of Simon
Chemas, Wehbe Chemas, and Abdalla Chemas, Syrians by nativity, but
citizens of the United States of America by naturalization, who,
according to telegraphic advices just received from Honda, have
suffered mob violence, resulting in the destruction of much
property, the probable breaking up of their business, and, without
the active interposition of your excellency, they may be banished
from their houses.
This attack occurred on the night of the 18th instant, at Honda, and
I have but incomplete information of the affair, and must beg that
your excellency will cause an investigation to be made with the view
of determining the full facts.
Your excellency is probably aware that there exists in Colombia a
strong feeling of hostility to all resident Syrians, some of whom
are American citizens. Because of this, and the outbreak at Honda, I
have reason to fear that unless some measures are adopted to protect
them there may be other similar or deplorable events.
In view of this I deem it my duty to make an earnest appeal to your
excellency for the employment of means to secure to these American
citizens the protection to their lives, their homes, and their
property which is guaranteed to them by the treaty between our two
governments.
I avail, etc.,
[Page 129]
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Doctor Rico to
Mr. Beaupré.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
Bogotá, August 21, 1903.
Mr. Minister: From the first moment in
which notice was received in this capital of the riot which took
place in Honda on the 18th of the present month, and to which your
excellency refers in your polite note of yesterday, it was ordered
that the guard at that place be reinforced with troops sufficient to
reestablish order. It has also been ordered that they take the
necessary measures to investigate the case and punish those
responsible.
The part of your excellency’s communication to which I have had the
honor to refer, which treats of the complaint of the Syrians Simon
Chemas, Wehbe Ohemas, and Abdalla Ohemas, naturalized citizens of
the United States, for acts of violence enacted against them in that
riot, has been called to the attention of the minister of
government, in order that all measures may be taken that are deemed
necessary to prevent a repetition of acts such as those
mentioned.
I beg, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Beaupré to
Doctor Rico.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, September 8, 1903.
Sir: Referring to the conversation which I
had the honor of having with your excellency a few days ago,
concerning the American citizens who were outraged by a mob at Honda
on the night of the 18th ultimo, and in which I earnestly called
your excellency’s attention to a similar danger which threatened an
American citizen at Chiquinquira, I have now the honor to inform you
that according to telegraphic advices just received, the house of
Mr. Ricardo Beeb, at Chiquinquira, was stoned on the night of the
6th instant, and there are grave fears that the local authorities
may not be able to protect him from mob violence.
Chiquinquira being one of the principal cities of the republic, and
within a short distance of this capital, I must insistently urge
upon your excellency the necessity of immediate measures to
effectually prevent this apprehended trouble.
I fully appreciate the friendly disposition of the Colombian
Government toward the citizens of my country who may be temporarily
residing within its limits, and I know that your excellency
sincerely regrets the occurrence at Honda. I am equally sure that in
compliance with its obligations your excellency’s Government will
strenuously assert its power to secure the protection of my
countrymen within its jurisdiction.
I avail, etc.,
