Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-08-20
COLOMBIAN MINISTER
AND MR., HAY CONFER
Assurance Given of Uninter-
rupted Traffic on Isthmus.
CAN MAINTAIN THE SAME

Sending of Warships Southwark Is
Merely Precautionary Measure, to
Look After Our Interests In Case Of
Actual Obstruction of Traffic.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19-The Colon.
bian minister, DR.. Silvela, had a con-
ference today with Secretary Hay. 1t
was the first personal exchange between
the secretary and the representative Of
Colombia since the present disturbance
started. DR.. Silvela gave Mr.. Hay in.
formation to the effect that the traffic
on the isthmus was entirely unobstruct'
ed and also assured him of the ability
Of Colombia to keep the traffic open.
The minister's communication to Sec.
retary Hay did not contain any informal
or written shape, but was an informal
discussion of the minister's latest ad-
vices. He informed the secretary that
cable dispatch from Bogota, sent last
Thursday, stated that traffic across the
isthmus was entirely unobstructed as
result of the efforts of the Colombian
authorities. He also expressed the full
est confidence that Colombia was able
to maintain free traffic across the
isthmus.
So far as the United States govern
ment is concerned there never has been
any purpose to exert military force to
keep traffic open until it was perfectly
plain that Colombia was unable to do
so. This view was doubtless made
known to DR.. Silvela. although the ma
ture of the exchange is known only in
the most general way.
Certain Features Made Clear.
The assurances given by DR.. Silvela
make clear certain features of the situa.
ton.
First. there Is no interruption of traf-
flo now; Colombia giving official assur.
ance of this, and the United States hav.
ing no advices from it's reports showing
an actual stoppage of traffic within re-
cent days.
Second, both governments are agreed
that the first responsibility for main
tanning free traffic is on Colombia and
that the United States is not called on
to act unless Colombia finds herself un-
able to act.
Third, the United States will judge
for itself when any occasion arises for
exercising it's authority on the isUhmus.
A request from Colombia would be
strong evidence that such occasion had
arisen. But it is not essential to await
a request or notice from Colombia, al.
though such determination would re-
ceive the fullest consideration. The ex-
act conditions as to whether traffic is
open or closed will determine finally
whether there is any occasion for the
exercise Of force by the United States.
Although the foregoing is not an Off
clal statement, yet it is believed to COW
or the main questions involved at the
present time. 1t discloses that the
movement of our warships southwark
has been merely a precautionary meas
ure to look after American interests in
case of an actual obstruction of traffic,
and that the situation as it exists today
does not call for any exercise of any
American authority on the isthmus.
1t was stated at the navy department
that the battleship Iowa, now at San
Francisco, will sail for. Panama tomor-
row. The Iowa is undergoing repairs
to her boilers. This work is being
pushed with all possible speed in order
that there shall be as little delay as pos
sible III her trip southwark.
When seen after his visit to the state
department DR.. Sllvela expressed him.
self as highly satisfied with the assur.
ances given him by Mr.. Hay that the
United States would not take hand in
the affairs on the isthmus unless re.
quest came from the Colombian govern.
ment itself, or else the need Of interven.
ton became so apparent as to make
request unnecessary.
The minister stated that some time
ago he informed his government that
the United States would not put into
operation the treaty provision for keep.
ing open traffic on the isthmus, unless
Colombia found herself unable to do so.
Sugar Reduced Ten Points.
NEW YORK, Aug. 19-The American
Sugar Refining and the independent
companies have reduced all grades of
refined sugar 10 points to the basis of
a. 26 for standard pranu1ated