Mr. Beaupré to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, April 24,
1903.
No. 10.]Sir: I have the honor to refer to your telegram
of the 7th instant, confirmed elsewhere, in regard to the negotiations
for the cancellation of the present concessions of the Panama canal and
railroad companies.
The subject had not arisen, within my knowledge, but I deemed it best, in
two interviews with the minister for foreign affairs, to bring the
conversation as cautiously as possible to a point that would enlighten
me. I can not say that his excellency showed any disposition to be
entirely frank in the matter, but sufficient was said to elicit from him
the information that such negotiations were at least under the
consideration of the Colombian Government, if not actually started. I
then imparted to the minister the purport of your telegram of the 7th
instant, whereupon he requested me to convey those instructions
officially. This I did in a note, copy of which I herewith transmit.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
[Inclosure.]
Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, April 24, 1903.
His Excellency Dr. Luis Carlos
Rico,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Colombia, etc.
Sir: Referring to the two interviews I have
had with your excellency, in which the question of the negotiations
for the cancellation of the present concessions of the
[Page 136]
Panama Canal and Railroad
companies and other matters were brought up, I have the honor to
inform your excellency that I am in receipt of instructions from my
Government on the subject.
I am directed to inform your excellency, should the subject arise,
that the entire matter above referred to is covered by the recently
signed convention between the Republic of Colombia and the United
States on the 22d of January last. Moreover, that any change would
be in violation of the Spooner law and therefore not
permissible.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your excellency the
assurances of my highest consideration.
