Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-25
ADMIRAL JOUETT
Talks Of the Complications Now on
Uncle Sans Hands.
A Queer State OF Affairs With United States
Of Colombia.

Washington, March 24.-Rear Admiral
Jouett, in interview, published, today,
called attention to the fact that by the
treaty with New Granada NOW the
United States of Colombia) made in 1876,
the United States of America guaranteed
perfect neutrality Of the isthmus of
Panama rights, property and sovereignty,
which Colombia might have and posses
over the isthmus.
II don't know how such a treaty came
to be made he said. "yet the United
States is responsible for the neutrality of
the isthmus and for the protection of
Colombia from invasion"
The admiral stated that in 1886 he was
ordered to Colon. where the revolutionists
had destroyed millions of dollars worth of
property, mostly American, and had
closed the railroad. The admiral landed
men from the vessels of his fleet, opened
the railroad and kept it open for four
months.
SIN that CASE said the admiral, eve
dealt with revolutionary forces. What
would have been the result if Colombia
had been at war with u European nation
and made the same appeal to US is a ques-
ton. 1t is a question that we may have
to meet any day, SO long us the treaty
stands. The most remarkable thing
about it, is that the United States is not,
today. SO far as l am aware, interested in
the Panama Railroad, in pecuniary
sense, to the extent of single rail. The
entire concern Is in the bands of the
French. The possibilities for complica-
lions and troubles over the existing treaty
are enormous"
Discussing the situation in Nicaragua,
Admiral Jouett said the United States
agreed to protect any line of inter oceanic
communication across that country and
guarantee its neutrality and innocent 1se
No such route has been opened in Mic
aragua and the cases are not exactly paral-
lei. The United States, he thought, could
hardly interfere with Great Britain in her
effort to collect damages under a just
claim.
''For we ourselves set the precedent by
bombarding Greytown in 1853 Even if
Great Britain should take possession of
the custom house at Greytown, the act
would not be without precedent, although
in that case, we would have to be very
watchful to see that the camel after put
ting his nose in at the window, did not
enter with his whole body"
The admiral expressed the opinion that
no trouble would come of the Alliance in
cident, because, if the circumstances sur
rounding the affair were as related, no
wrong was done the vessel.
"There is a rebellion in Cuba, "he said,
land Spanish gunboat was policing the
shores of Cuba directly contiguous to the
province in instruction. This is the duty
of the navy. When gunboat evidenced
a desire to speak the Alliance by hosting
a color, steaming toward her and firing Il
lee gun, which is friendly signal, the
merchantmen should have stopped to
learn the meaning of the inquiry.
1.-The politeness of the sea demanded
this courtesy. The Spanish commander
might have been III distress or might had
some passengers that he wished to trans
fer, or might had mail that he desired to
forward to the United States. When !
was on the sea and was spoken, / stopped
and expected other ships to do the same
fer me-.