The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-15
j. S. OFFICIAL KILLED
IN COLOMBIA FEUD?
state Department Orders Inves-
tigatiOn Of Vire-COm-
sul's Death.
NATIVE COURTS HOSTILE
Tried Repeatedly to Imprison
W. Il. McMaster After At
tack by Ruffians.

WASHINGTON. Aug. u. james +. Du
Bois. American Minister to Colombia.
was directed by Secretary of State Knox
to-day to make prompt and thorough
investi igation into the mys, erious death
on last Sunday of William y. McAlaster. :.
Vice and Deputy Consul at Cartagena.
McAiaster was attacked aud ba dly
wounded by crowd of ruffians two years
ago and in defending himself he killed
one of them. The Colombian courts were
determined that McAIaster should serve
a term In prison and his liberty was effected
only AZ "a result OF prolonged corre-
spondence between the State Depart
ment and the Colombian Foreign Office.
He finally was liberated and returned
to his duties. alt hough he expressed tho
fear that he would be attacked again.
McMaster, No FAR an the Washington
authorities know. has had no encounters
since that time, The officials we're accord
ingly startled to-day by receipt OF a cable
gram from Graham n. Kemper. Consul
at Cartagena. stating that McAiaster
was killed while out hunting last Sunday
The Consul did not give any details and
there was nothing to show whether his
death was accident a or not
Consul Kemper was called upon imme-
diately for particulars and message
was rushed to Minister Du Bois directing
an immediate invest igation
Shortly following the receipt OF Consul
kemper's message came one from Mr.
Du Bois also announcing the Vice-Co
suls death MIR. Du Bois stated that he
was killed by gunshot wound while hunt
ing about ten miles from Cartagsna
He said that the body was found on Mon
day and that the local aut horites are
conducting careful invest cation in
order to ascertain the de. aila II possible
According to the State Department 3
report. MIR. Du Bos did not venture an
opinion as to the cause Of the accident
Following receipt " this message the
Department sent supplementary cable
gram TO both Mr. Du Bois and Consul
kemper directing that every possible
step be taken at once to determine the
exact cause Of the accident. McMaster'e q
body will be held AZ Cartagena pending
the outcome Of the investigation Just
what steps will be taken II the evidence
indicates murder State Department Of.
ficials decline to state II il certain
however. that immediate demands viii
be made upon the Colombian Government
Suspicion Of the Washington authori.
ties was aroused at once because Of the
attack upon McMaster two years age
and the apparent determination OF thu
~ hnrifisAs In r,,,,t,h a.
OIL his assailants. complete investi
CATION was made by the American Min
| lister at that time
The trouble in which he figured two
years ago occurred while he was goinI
home through lonely part OF the cit,
late at night. He was attacked by tw,
or three Colombians. They used weapons
and in defending himself he killed one o
the party. Next day. when he left tn,
consulate. he was arrested 10y the pOlict
authorities on the charge Of murder.
He was acquitted by lower court. bu
the Government had the case appeale,
to higher court In that he was con
victed and sentenced TO serve severa
years in prison. The State Department
intervened and it required some time I.
secure a new trial. at which McMaste
was acquitted on the grounds Of justifiab bl
homicide. He continued at his post, b,i
since then there have been a number O
threats against him. Recently, however
il was thought that the incident had beel
forgotten by the friends Of the man h
killed and his companions.
| McMaster was born in Colombia O
American parents in 1878. He was ed,l
Gated In the public schools Of Colombi
and the United States and became ranc
owner in Colombia. He served as mes
senger in the Cartagena consulate iron
1895 to 1900. when he went on to his ranch
He was appointed Vice Consul at Carta
gena in 1904 and in 1908 was promoted t.
Vice and Deputy Consul. His income ha
been less than 81 900 and it is understoo
that he had continued his interest il
ranching. He is accredited to New Yor
ssnt h..o Has 4