821.6363 Barco/136: Telegram
The Minister in Colombia (Piles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:30 p.m.]
68. I have just received from Minister for Foreign Affairs a note dated August 14 which reads as follows in translation:
“I have the honor to reply to Your Excellency’s esteemed note dated yesterday in which Your Excellency makes some observations relative to the resolution of forfeiture of the Barco concession issued by the National Government the 4th day of the present month.
The Government of Colombia regrets not to admit the interference (tiene la pena de no admitir la ingerencia) of the Honorable Legation in a controversy of administrative character arisen between the Colombian Government as contracting party and an entity of private law. It is solely for the latter to make use of the resources that Colombian laws offered [afford] it, both in accord with the general principles of international law and in conformity with the express and definite stipulations of the contracts celebrated by it with the Government of the Republic.”
The note referred to in the Department’s 42, August 15, 2 p.m., will be sent this afternoon. With respect to last paragraph Department’s telegram, I am also referring to a note February 2nd sent at the request of Minister for Foreign Affairs as a matter of record explaining American stock ownership and his note acknowledging it without comment.