New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-26
APPEAL TO U. s. TO
GEORGE COLOMBIA
Britain and France Want
Neutrality More Strictly
Observed.
MAY HAVE TO ACT
IN SELF-DEFENCE
Complaint Also Made TO wash
ington Government Against
EcuadOr's Attitude.

London, Nov. 20. Great Britain and
France have appealed TO the United
States 20 exercise its good Offices to
compel Colombia TO observe more
strictly the requirements Of neutrality.
Otherwise the Allies. it was announced
in the House Of Commons to-day, may
be compelled in self-defence to take
whatever measures they deem noces-
sary for the protection Of their inter
ests.
Charles Roberts, Under Secretary OF
the Colonial Department. speaking on
behalf of the Foreign Office, made this
announcement in the House Of Com
mons lie said that information IN the
possession Of the government indicate
that the governments Of Colombia and
Ecuador had failed in certain respects
TO observe an attitude OF strict neu-
trality and that their failure to do so
was likely 10 be detrimental to the in-
terests of this country.
The particular cause Of complaint
against Colombia has reference to
high power wireless station.
The British Charge d'Afaires had
endeavored repeatedly, said Mr. Rob
erts. to induce tho government to re-
move the staff Of Germans at the wire
less station and institute strict control
i'm order 20 prevent the transmission OF
messages TO belligerent merchant ships
living IN Colombian ports. Failing IN
this. the charge d'airai es sought to
have the station closed. The report re-
ccived from the charge leaves It m
doubt whether steps taken by the Co
lombian government are Of an effective
nature. .
Mr.. Roberts added that the British
naval attache IN Washington, who was
sent 10 Colombia 10 investigate condl-
lions there. found that the wireless
station nom,nally was being operated
under censorship, but that M reality IL
was entirely under German influence.
He considered il Of importance to sup
press the operation OF the station. lie
also reported that German steamers m
ports OF Colombia were continuing 10
use tNeIT wireless 90 V'ilNil'f "Ari'"N' 30
ostensibly d smantled.
", therefore. appeared 20 the British
government. said Mr. Roberts, that
further concentrations 20 Colombia
were not likely 20 be Of any avail IL
was therefore decided TO appeal. in co
operation with the French government,
TO the good Offices Of the United States
10 procure a more strict enforcement
or Colombian neutrality. Il was also
stated that in the event that Colon
Iia continued TO maintain her present
attitude the allied governments might
bee conpellcd ir self-defence 20 take
such measures as they deemed neces-
sary for the protection OF their inter
csts.
Washington. Nov. 25.-The statement
I'm the House of Commons to-day by
Charles Roberts, Under Secretary OF
Foreign Affairs, saying that Great
Britain and France had appealed to
the United States 90 exercise ITS good
of1c,s with Ecuador and Colombia 10
secure strict observance o. neutrality
by them was regarded by both Secre-
tary Bryan and Sir Cecil Spring Rice,
the British Ambassador, who read the
dispatches. as merely a review OF
eqi!. DEVELOPMENTS I'm the case.
II was learned to-day that the Bo-
gotta government made clear TO Great
Eritain and France az the time her
resentment at the course Of those
countries I'm ignoring the sovereignty
of the republic of Colombia and dis
GUESSING the matter with the United
States. knowing the constituencies OF
Colombia, it is understood that the
state Department assured the ColOm-
biun Government it had no desire 10
intervene, and had been misrepresent-
Ell in press reports as intending TO
int, ierc These assurances, according
to Colombian officials here, We're re-
ceived with much satisfaction IN Boz
pOtq