New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-15
A MERCH1NTMAN SEIZED.
'OVERHAULED BY A COLOMBIAN MAN-OF-
WAR OF PORTO BELLO.


WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT THE INCIDENT
The American schooner George w. Whtford
belonging to Leopold Schepp, of this city. was
on March 81. while off Porto Bcllo bound for
Cartagena. seized by the Colombian man-of-war
Cordova and compelled to proceed to Colon.
under threat of being sunk II her captain re-
fused to obey the order within fifteen minutes.
The captain of the Whltford was provided with
regular clearance papers which he showed to
the officers of the Cordova. but no attention
was paid to them. The first officer OF the Cor
dova took charge OF the Whtford. and. under
convoy of the Colombian man of war. sailed
to Colon. where. according to a cable dispatch
received Monday by l.. Schepp. she still lay with
Colombian police on board.
The facts above given contained in a
protest to before j. l.. Pearcy. United
States Consul at Colon on April T. by the cap
tain Of the Whitford. John Henricks and seven
of his crew.
The Whitford landed a cargo at Porto Bello
on March 2s, and on the 31st obtained clearance
for Cartagena. and sailed at p. m. 1t was at
4 p m that she was hailed by the Cordova
the American ship at that time flying the Stars
and Stripes.
The first officer OF the man-of-war. with an
Interpreter. came aboard and ordered Captain
toned that he acting according to orders
but did not know the reasons for them
No attention being paid to his clearance
papers. the captain about to refuse obedi-
ence and only yielded when he was threatened
with being sunk. on the way to Colon. while
off Orange Key. about nine miles from their
destination the Cordova ran across the schoon-
er's bow. striking the jibboom and carrying
away the port back rope. on arriving at Colon
April I. at $50 p. m. the captain asked to be
allowed - go on shore and the Consul. but
the request was refused. Instead. he vas taken
to the Cordova and his liberty was allowed him
after considerable delay. That same night
policemen were put aboard the Whitford. ana
at last accounts were still in charge OF her.
The captain and his crew fled a protest with
Consul Pearcy. and Leopold Schepp. the owner
OF the vessel. said Last night that the Consui
had sent copy OF 1t TO Secretary Oiney.
No explanation OF the seizure OF the Whitford
has as yet been vouchsafed. l.. Schepp VINO
owns the Whltford. said to a Tribune reporter
last night: I'VE trade in the Spanish main with
the Whtford and the Frederika Schepp. carrying
cargoes OF provisions drygoods powder. shot ana
Indian supplies, which exchange at our trad
ing stations for cocoanuts. ivory nuts. turtle
shells etc.
This whole trouble has been brought about ny
the malicious action Of our Spanish competitors
on the coast who have political influence with Inc
Colombia Government The native Indians oi
the coast hav. for years depended on us FOR their
supplies and have been K, vernei by our system
OF doing business which is Objectionable 10 our
SPANISH competi;ors but which system they nave
never been able TO break. We. Of course. nave
had business advantages md consequently We
have had great advantages so that we nave Deeh
able to control. most ot the trade. excepting the
liquor traffic. which never allowed at any OF
our trading stations We were put 10 similar
trouble some five or six years ago, when we were
obliged 10 arm our vessels 10 defend ourselves
against the arbitrary measures which w"rr u-ci
against us on the coast. ana through TINS trouoi'
we were put To considerable loss by the breaking
I'D OF many of trading stations. ana py IN,
loss OF our goods. when were looted ana carried
away and on account " the Indians being
frightened away from IN" coast. by maraudinH
parties our instructions are always 10 our cap
teins TO cOmply with the laws oi any port they
call I'm but we do expect and demand the same
resuect FOR the vessel, that We run under tne
American flag that other vessels Tying other col
ore rec.ive bur | must say. however that for
Years we have experienced more or less trouble
in Central America on account or our coiprs
The English French and German traders are
moro at home ana have far greater advantages
In Central America. Probably this Is because
otncr nations make their influence f"lt more
there by having their men-of-whr passing py
thesc ports occasionally. 10 look after the inter-
.e,s Of the merchantmen OF their country ana We
trust the day is not far distant when we VIII nave
a Navy large enough 10 command respect ~
Central America for vessels that fy the Ameri-
can flag"