The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-06-12
ORDER ARREST OF US. CONSUL
COLOMBIA Court CREATES so.
RIOTS DIPLOMATIC SITUATION.
Old CaFtaGrna Assault Case Revived IN
Anti. american spirit CelSuiblan Gov
rrnInsnt Has ALREADY APolsgiHed Zoe
the Brutal Attack un VIZ. MacalAsieF.

ernInent HAS ALREADY ApolagifeSl Zoe
the brutal Attack sn NF. MaeNasteF.
WASHINGTON. June n A serious diplo-
matte situation has been created by the
threatened arrest IT an American Consul
by the authorities of Cartagena, Colombia.
Elliott Northcntt. American Minister at
Bogota. Colombia. advised the State De-
partment late tins afternoon 81 the de-
cision OF the Appeals Court, az CartaEenA
which held William r. Manchester Ameri-
can vice and deputy Consul AZ Cartagcsia.
guilty 81 attacking two Colombians about
a year ago. The court reversed the de-
cision 81 the trial court some months
ago which exOnerated Mr. MacMaster,
His arrest has been ordered u he has not
yet been taken into custody.
The present diHicIlty developed from
an assault made on Mr. NIacMaster about
year ago by Mario lara Cordoba and
Ahelario RaFrera. two residents ot Gar
taRena. Cordoba was the editor 1t an
anti American newspaper which devoted
considerable space 60 attacks upon the
American Government and personal abuse
81 the American Vice-Consul. Mr.. Mac
Master was out hunting uns afternoon
when he became involved in a dispute
with the editor. There was no clash.
however. and he returned ~ his home.
Later in the evening ne was called from
his residence by the two ColOnhians.
who attacked him. MacMaster was
81 4 and
allowed the two natives 90 go that he was
inarmed. lie fought both assailants
bravely and succeeded in Wrestling from
one Of them a short club with which be
was being beaten. With this weapon he
finally heat "a both as1ailants. In the
melee he was stabbed IN the abdomen
and spent some time in hospital.
The Colombian Government formally
apolOgized 20 the state Department Tor
the attack upon ia Consul and instructed
the municipal authorities a. Cartagena
20 take every step IN capture and punish
Mr.. MacMAsters assailants. The trial
oourt decided that they were guilty 81
attacking the Consul and ex0neraeed the
Vice-COnsul from all blame The two
Colombians appealed from this decision
20 the higher court. which mas now re-
versed the finding and held that NJ
Ml1rNlAMNNN va AWAANN " aAAeAAAA ~"
two COlOmbiAns and ordered hts arrest
preliminary % trying him for the offence
The incident was completely tnvestl'
gated bv the State Department, which
held that Mr. MAcAlAsser was not ths
ARRressor. was not armed when he entered
the fight and had acted properly IN ever
wav. Charles L. Latham, American
Consul al CartagenA. who visited the
state DEPARTMENT several months ago or
leave II absence. personally etplAinec
the incident 20 the officers II the depart
ment and formally approved the conduc
and actions u his subordinate.
~ far the State Department has takeF
no action except 10 refer the whole cas-
h the legal officers % the department
for consideration, Secretary Knox, " q
said. desires - give the COLOMBIAN
Goyernemnt ample time % ktraighten ou
the tangle before taking decisive action
II IL said however. that he will not ALLOW
Mr. NacMaster - be taken into custody.
Mr. Northcott, American Minister q
Colombia az BOgota. advised the depart
ment to-day that be- had taken ~ TN
question with the Minister Of Foreigr
Adairs who had promised n So what
action could he taken ~ adjust the dim
Guilty. Il Is not believed here that any
serious international complications vii
ari-e unless the Colombian Government
refuses 70 act or the municipal authorities
/ a. Cartagena Try n arrest the Nice-Conrul
While ofic-rs ~ the STATE Department
/ are not willing - discuss puhlcly IN
verdict ~ the Colombian court they Tee
that the Judges have been influenced
Inv the strong feeling 81 hostility u
/ Colombia against the United States
This adverse sentiment developed fron
the secession ~ Panama in 1898 whlc
the Cnlomhians believe was put through
with the oOnnivRnce u the United states