Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-08-22
TIE |STHN|AN TROUBLE.
The Colombian Minister Has an
Informal Conference With
Secretary Hay.
COLOMBIA CAN KEEP TRAFFIC OPEN.
The tinted state. Has No Purpose to
ENert Force lsIe~s Colon bia
shall he Unable Co Maintain Free
TvaHic over the Psnsmn Rail
road.

Washington. Aug l0-Thc Colom-
[ hiau minister DR.. silva, had "A confer
encc with Secretary Hay. II was the
/ first personal exchange between the
secretary and the representative OF
| Colombia since the present disturb
aucr started DR. Silva gave Mr.. Hay
/ information 30 the effect that traffic
/ ON the isthmus was entirely unob-
/ stru,tcd and also assured him OF the
ability of Colombia 10 keep the traf-
/ hc open.
Not Formal Communication.
The minister's communication 10
| Secretary Hay did not take any
| formal or written shape. but was an
I informal discussion OF the situation
| based on the minister's latest adVces.
/ lie informed the secretary that "A
cable dispatch from Bogota, sent last
| Thursday. stated that traffic across
| the isthmus was entirely unobstruct-
ed as "A result 81 the efforts OF the
Colombian authorities. lie also eN-
pressed the fullest confidence that
/ Colombia was able to maintain free
traffic across the isthmus.
NJ Purpose To ENcrt Force.
So far as the United states govern
mcnt is concerned. there never has
been any purpose 10 extend any milf
tar, force in keeping open isthmian
traffic unless il became perfectly
plain that Colombia was unable TO do
30. This view was doubtless made
known 10 DR.. Silva, although the ma
turc Of the exchange is known only
in the most general way
Dr. siIyR's Assurances.
The assurances given 10y DR., Silva
make clear certain features of the
situation FIRST. there is no inter-
ruptiou 20 traffic at the present time,
Colombia giving official assurance Of
this. and the United States having no
ad,iccs from it's representatives,
showing am actual stoppage of traffic
within recent days.
Second. both governments are
agreed that the first responsibility
for maintaining free traffic is on
Colombia, aud that the United States
is not called upon 10 act until Colon
bia finds herself unable "a fulfill the
primary responsibility.
Third. the United states undoubted-
" will Judge for itself when any oc-
casion arises for exercising it's au-
thurity on the isthmuS. \ request
from Colombia would he strong evil
dencc that such occasion had arisen.
But il is not essential To await re-
quest or notice from Colombia, al
though such a communication un-
doubleday would receive the fullest
consideration. The actual conditions
as To whether traffic is open or closed
will determine finally whether there
is any occasion for the exercise of
force bv the United States.
Although the foregoing is not an
official statement. yet il is believed
To cover the main questions involved
at the present time. II discloseS that
the movement of our wnrships south
ward has been merely a precaution-
airy measure, too look after American
interests i'm case of an actual OBJ
struction Of traffic and that the situ-
alton rs it exists to-day does not call
for an exercise of any American au-
thority ON the isthmus
Queen sophia Of Sweden is again Sc