Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-20
Incident Nay involve Several Nations
Before II is Ended.
SUSTAINED i BY BRITISH wARSHlP
Effort on Part Of Government 10 Compel
Carrying of Troops FailS
ARRANGE TO BRING SUIT FOR DAMAGES
OOIombfan OmciRIs Assert Failure to
transport Soldiers Has Delayed
Campaign ana Much
" Loss of Life.

PANAMA, Colombia, Aug. 1s.-The British
cruiser Phaeton, as cabled to the Associated
Press yesterday, left here hurriedly on Sat-
urday and II was believed that II had
sailed for Buena Ventura, in the department
Of Cauca.
Inquiries made by the correspondent Of
the Associated Press regarding the war
ships sailing, show that serious interna-
tional complications may arise at Buena
Ventura, where the Colombian authorities
have been endeavoring to compel the agents
Of the British steamer Ecuador, owned by
the Pacific Steam Navigation company Of
Liverpool, to transport troops to the 18TH
mus.
1t was at the request Of the Pacific Steam
Navigation company that Phaeton left
Panama for Buena Ventura, where the
Colombian government has assembled 1000
troops, under General veiazco. intended to
reinforce the army in this vicinity, and
the government ofacials at Buena Ventura
threatened to compel the steamer Ecuador,
which was at that port, to transport the
reinforoements to Panama.
The agents Of the line, however, refused
to embark the troops and appealed TO the
companys representatives here, who in turn
placed the matter before the British consul,
with the result that Phaeton was sent to
Buena Ventura to protect British interests.
Action Causes Great Indignation.
The action Of the Pacific Steam Naviga-
tion company in refusing to transport the
troops has caused indignation In Colombian
government circles. A high ofhcial, who
was interviewed on the subject. said that a
contract was made ~ tie government II
1879 with the Pacific Steam Navigation
company by which the government granted
many liberal concessions to the company,
such as exemption from the tonnage and
other taxes imposed by the national gov
ernment, the importation, free OF duty, Of
the coal necessary for the company's steam
ers, and any other exemptions and privi-
leges granted to other companies any time.
The Colombian government, II was added,
has, since the contract was signed, paid the
Pacific Steam Navigation company over
$4,000 In suheidies. In consideration Of
which the company agreed to transport
Colombian civil and military employees, pris-
oners, mails and soldiers at special rates.
There 10 no clause In the contract, 1t was
further asserted. providing that during a
revolutionary outbreak the obligation of the
company to transport troops ceased to be
effective.
In conclusion, the high oficial Of the
OOlOAuuAhu BOFoInmcnI EcASNNCn " oalu ina
the present refusal OF the Pacific Steam
Navigation company to transport Colon
bian troops here may be sustained by the
presence OF a British war ship at Buena
Ventura. but. nevertheless, It is a clear
violation Of the contract between the
Colombian government and the steamship
company. made In good faith by the gov
ernment, which has faithfully adhered to its
agreements.
In government circles II is claimed that
the nonarrival OF the reinforcements OF
troops from Buena Ventura will prolone
the revolution in the isthmus and cause un-
necessary bloodshed. and that, consequently
the government OF Colombia has ground to
claim damages from the Pacific Steam Navi-
cation company. There is no doubt that
the government viii bring suit against the
company. An eminent lawyer has already
lest Panama for Bogota. the capital. to pre-
sent and sustain the governments claim
which. according to the terms OF the CON
tract. muAt be decided by the Colombian
courts.