CO885-(15-16) — Page 218

25777

No. 154A.

(TRINIDAD.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

[Case of the "Ban Righ.”]

Royal Courts of Justice,

June 19, 1902. MY LORD,

We were honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. F. H. Villiers's letter of the 17th instant, stating that, with reference to previous corre- spondence respecting the proceedings of the steamship "Libertador," formerly “ Ban Righ," he was directed to inform us that on receipt of the letter of 1st April last from the Attorney General, His Majesty's Minister at Bogota was instructed by telegraph that, unless and until certain assurances had been received from the Colombian Government, the vessel could not be allowed to refit in a British port.

That those assurances were to be as follows:-

(1.) That the "Libertador" was a Colombian public vessel, and

(2.) That she would not in future be permitted to engage in any irregular hostilities against Venezuela such as were alleged to have occurred.

That Mr. Villiers was to transmit to us copy of a telegram from Mr. Dickson, who was, at the date of its despatch, in temporary charge of His Majesty's Legation at Bogota, conveying the reply of the Colombian Government to the inquiry addressed to them on those points. That we should perceive that the Minister for Foreign Affairs now stated:-

1. That the Colombian Government regarded the "Libertador property.

as their

of com-

purpose 2. That they would not authorize the vessel to be used for the mitting hostile acts against Venezuela so long as no state of war existed between the two Republics; and that orders had been given that the vessel should proceed to Colombian waters with the view of preventing invasion there.

That on the strength of those assurances His Excellency asked His Majesty's Government to allow the vessel to refit in Port-of-Spain and to leave Trinidad.

That Mr. Villiers was to request that we would take the papers into our con- sideration, and would favour Your Lordship with our opinion as to whether the assurances given by the Colombian Government were sufficiently satisfactory to permit of the "Libertador" being allowed to refit in Port-of-Spain, and to proceed thence to Colombian waters so soon after the completion of her repairs as the Agents of the Republic of Colombia might decide.

We have taken the papers into our consideration, and, in obedience to Your Lordship's commands, have the honour to

Report-

That we think, the assurances given may be accepted as satisfactory, and that the "Libertador" may be allowed to refit in Port-of-Spain and proceed thence to Colombian waters.

The Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

25 Wt 661 7/1903 D & B 5

16114

We have, &c.,

R. B. FINLAY. EDWARD CARSON.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

חוי

Reference :-

C.O. 885

15 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO