New-York tribune., 1890-01-05
VESSELS WAITING TO SAIL.
NO ASSURANCE OF PROTECTION AGAINST
LA POPA
THE TROUBLE WITH THE UNITED STATES OF
COLOMBIA NO NEARER SETTLEMENT
LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO
WANT TO FIGHT

WANT TO FIGHT.
The Office of L. SChepp who is the principal trader
on the Bias coast. thrOnged yesterday Dy
people who wanted to ship his merchant vessels 10
light the Colombians. Il had many VINO "ere
formerly in the German Army" said Mr' schepp'
SCARED veterans. of them, OF the Franco rus
sian war who only begged a chance to snip on one
of my ships and fight Colombian vessels IL was
with the greatest difficulty that convinced them thdt
l not waging the Colombian Government
but had armed my schooner. the Slhuoiu' WIN III"
idea that she should withstand the attack oi any
pirate vessel which tried 10 seize her IN cohtraV@hVo
of the Colombian laws with which have complied
NV vessel the Whford, is not armed to fight against
tbc meuof war of the United states of Colombia but
10 resist any unlawful attempt to capture her on the
par of pirates whO sailing under the Tag OF Colombia
infringe her laws
The Acting Colombian Consul said g. have as yet
cccvcd no adviccs from my Government in regard 10
he seizure of American vessels. All can say is that the
vessels trading on the Bias coast should clear
rom here; that is from the Colombian Consulate
in New-Iork"
In reply 10 this argument the traders of the san
Bias coast say II we clear a vessel from mere
hound for Nicaragua with cargo, and she discharges
her cargo at Greytown, then getting clearance Tor
Colon at which port takes out her trading license
for the s,2 Bias coast, what have
ne 10 do with the Colombian Cont
snlate in this cityl The famous triangular
commerce which is carried between England. Brazil
and this country would cease If such rules were en-
forced. In place of England, RIO and ew-loik put
New-York, the West lndics and the san Bias coast
AMI You have it. America has very little foreign
commerce left. and it docs pity that that with
the san Bias coast should bc destroyed by the action
Of an English advenurcr of the lowest KIND VINO
command, La Popa, and obeys the commands of cocoa
lutdcalcrs at Puerto Bello.'
The colombian gunboat La POpa is commanded
by Engli>hman named Baxter. His crew are
said consist of twenty drunken natives. In l90'
The Colombian Government sent envoy Senor
Algun, this country to buy gunboa for the pro
lection Of the Caribbean coast of Colombia Alter a
long delay, SchOr ASull uecucu 10 u19 .i' i,,,
Nacnt Ctawana then the properly oI NSs,t'S , 'd
conner. The vessel sent to the Navy Yard ana
t,yo boards Of naval officers inspected her Then the
r.hel fleet which the Utawana was TO nehl snIlcn- @
UcIcd and Ai-un made d hasty departure ieaN
u. the gunbOat ana her guns on tie hands OF those
WnOm lie had engaged to hght the icbel NaIlae0
Then the Colombian Government bought La Popa,
which is named after The mountain Wllcii rises over
English adventurer TO take command ,.o.Sd o.,
Then the seizure OF the American vessels began
Elas trade is H. b. Clatin Co ms hrm has mao. made
statement TO the state Department Of the condition
firms interested II the trade. No communication from
the state Department had been received at late hour
chants. but al, we're confident That an American man
owar would be sent to the san Bias coast to protect
their interests.
There are two ships waiting to sail for the
san Bias coast now, one lying at a
wharf in the East River and one at
a wharf in the North River. One belongs /. Schcpp
and the other 10 Foster & Co. They are loaded with
goods for which the Bias Indians in need but
will not sail until assured Of protection. For thirty
years the Indians Of the san Bias coast have been
accustomed 10 RELY the traders from the United
states for their supply of food and clothing. and this
sudden stOppage has produced much suffering among
them. They reported to be In state Of revolt
against the Colombian Government, and ft for
treason. SlratagemS and spoils. The Colombian Con
sui Yesterday cabcd 10 BOg0ta 10 know what he should
do in the serious turn affairs taking. Up 10
late hour last night he had received reply. but he
expected 10 hear from the Colombian Department Of
state to-day.