§ 71. Sir F. WISEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the treatment by the Columbian Government of the Columbian Northern Railway Company; and if he will make a statement as to the action which His Majesty's Government has taken, or is prepared to take, in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ronald McNeill)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Columbian Northern Railway Company took over the line in 1898, and have been effectively working it since 1905. In 1921 proceedings were commenced in the Columbian Courts calling in question certain of the concessions granted to them by previous Governments. The question 638 was still sub judice when on the 4th May, 1925, a Presidential "resolution" was issued, without warning, cancelling the company's rights and declaring that Government officials must be given possession of the railway within 30 days. His Majesty's Minister at Bogota was instructed to protest to the Columbian Government, who nevertheless appear to have persisted in their decision, since on the 10th June last a further Presidential resolution was issued confirming the previous one, and again ordering the surrender of the railway within 30 days. The railway was in effect taken over on the 14th of July.