New-York tribune., 1902-08-20
FRESH TROUBLE AT PAyAJ4.
BRITISH COMPANY REFUSES USE OF :
TRANSPORT TO GOVERNMENT

Panama Colombia. Aug. 19.-The British
cruiser Phaetou as cabIed TO The Associated
Press yesterday left here hurriedly on Saturday
and it was believed that she had sailed for
Buenaventura. in the Department Of Cauca- IN
quiries made by the correspondent OF The As
ISOLATED Press regarding the warships sailing
show that serious international complications
may arise at Buenaventura. where the Colo-n-
ban authorities have been endsavorilg 10 conf
pei the agents Of the British steamer Ecuador,
owned by the Pacific Steam Navigation Com
pany. Of Liverpool. 10 transport troops 10 th4
isthmus. 1t was at the request Of the Pacific
Steam Navigation Company that the Phaeton
left Panama for Buenaventura, where the Co
lombian Government has assembled Two thou-
sand troops under General NeIaZco. intended 70
reinforce the army in this vicinity. and the gov
ernment officials at BUenaventura threatened to
compel the steamer Ecuador, which was at tna'
port, to transport the reinfOrCemeuts 70 Pana-
ma The agents Of the line. however. REFUSED %
embark the troops. and e~0eaIed 70 the com
pany's represe- tative here. who, in turn, placed
the matter before the British consul. with the
result that the Phaeton was sent TO BuenaVs'-
tura to protect British interest
The action OF the Pacific Steam Navigation
Company in refusing to transport the troops mas
caused Indignation in Colombian GovernnasA-
made by the government in 1879 with the "a
cific Steam Navigation Company by when l-s
government granted many liberal CONCESSIONS
TO the company. such as exemption from us
tonnage and other taxes imposed by the nations.
government, the Importation free or du'y =
the coal necessary for the company slsdIl-l-s
and any other exemptions and prlNltszVs- So So
ed to other companies at any time lh7 CO-o -.
bian Government, il added, has slhcs hC-. -.
contract was signed, paid the Paclnc !Ss--
Navigation Company over S2u,UOO II suos-I-5
in consideration OF which the COMPANY S 60 -,
to transport Colombian civil and nlAl4IS e.
ployes. prisoners. mails and soldiers az - Tos
further asserted. providing that durlns r,r7-
lutionary outbreak the obligation O lss .S-J%s
pany TO transport troops ceased 10 % 80 81! IA
In conclusion. the official referred 70 So 1-aI-;
the present refusal OF the PaclHc steam .r1ors
cation Company TO transport ColonloIdn - a
here may be sustained by the preSs--~I ,s1-ar-
British warship at BuenavenCura' ou',--+rsrt ou', --
theless. il is a clear violation OF tne - +hs
between the Colombian Government a. = The
steamship company. made in good faltA .! Is
government. which has faithfully adheiSU ~
agreements -,
In government circles il is said thaI ll-e s-o77,
arrival of the reinforcementS OF TROOPS tbs
Buenaventura will proIons the revolution on sr5
iSthmuS and cause unnecessary nioOds E--,D D5s
that consequently. the government OF 10acif-
has ground 20 claim damages from tAS So,,h+
Steam Navigation Company. There IS ,S+ ~ -h Ire
that the government viii bring sult esa-lssS Taft
company. An eminent lawyer has areausy and
Panama for BogOta. the capital TO pLessL' sL.ccrd-
sustain the governments claim. wAlch - 5se
ing to the terms Of the contract. must %
Cided by the Colombian courts