Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-08-20
BIG TIFF ON ISTHNUS
English Steamship Line Wouldn't
Carry Colombian Troops.
MAY INVOLVE GREAT BRITAIN
Omcials Threatened to Compel
Stenmer to Bear Re-enfOrcements
to Panama, and british Warship
Hurried to Check mate Them.

Panama, Aug. 20.-The sailing of the
British cruiser Phacton for Bucnaven-
tura has developed the fact that seri-
Gus international complications may
arise at Rurnaventllra where the Co
lombiHn authorities have been endeav
oring to compel the agents of the Brit
ish steamer Ecuador, owned by the
Pacific Steam Navigation company of
Liverpool, to transport troops to the
iSthinuS.
1t was at the request of the Pacific
Steam Navigation company that the
l'hacton left Panama for Bucnaventu
IA, where the Colombian government
had assembled 1000 troops. under Cen
eral Nclazco. intended to re-enforce
the army in this vicinity, and the gov
eminent officials ut Buenaventura
threatened to compel the steamer Ec
uador, which was at that port, to trans
port the re-enforcements to Panama.
The agents of the line. however re-
fused to embark the troops and APP
pealed to the company's representa-
tive here. who in turn placed the mat
lCl ItIOIt tlit ibIlllSll tOlSul, W III llle
result that the Phaeton was sent to
Buenuventura to protect British inter
estS.
Colombian Officials Angry.
The action of the Pacific Steam Nav
igation company in refusing to trans
port the troops has caused indignation
in Colombian government circles. \
high official who was interviewed on
the subject said that Il contr~ WAS
made by the government in 1879 with
the Pacific Steam Navigation conpa-
ny by which the government granted
many liberal concessions to the com
pany, such as exemption from the ton
mage and other taxes imposed by the
national government, the Importation
free of duty, Of the coal necessary for
the company's steamers and any other
exemptions and privileges granted to
other companies at any time.
The Colombian government, it was
added, has since the contract was
signed paid the Pacific Steam Naviga-
ton company over $4,000 in subsi-
dies, in consideration of which the |
company agreed to transport Colon
bian civil and military employees, pris-
oners, mails and soldiers at special |
rates. There is no clause in the con
tract, 1t was further asserted, provid-
ing that during revolutionary out
break the obligation of the company to
transport troops ceased to be effective.
In conclusion the high official Of the
Colombian government referred to said |
that the present refusal of the Pacific !
Steam Navigation company to trans
port Colombian troops here may be
by the presence of a British
warship at Buenaventura. But never
theless it is clear violation of the con-
tract between the Colombian govern
ment and the steamship company,
made in good faith by the government,
which has faithfully adhered to it's
agreements.
In government circles it is claimed
that the nonarrival of the reinforce
ments of troops from Buenaventura
will prolong the revolution on the 18TH
mus and cause unnecessary bloodshed
and that consequently the government
Of Colombia has ground to claim dam
ages from the Pacific Steam Naviga-
ton company.
There is no doubt that the govern
ment will bring suit against the COM
pany. An eminent lawyer has already
eft Panama for Bogota, the capital, to
present and sustain the governments
claim, which according to the terms
If the contract. must be decided by the
Colombian courts.