Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-19
C0LOMB!A'S MINISTER
DR.. Silva's Conference With Secre-
tary Hay.
CERTAIN FEATURES MADE CLEAR
His Government Can Maintain
Open Traffic.
A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE

| ter, was caller at the State Department
| today, and had a twentyminute conference
with Secretary Hay. The talk was In ref
| erence to the disturbed condition Of affairs
| at the isthmus and thereabout, and DR..
| Silva came prepared to give assurances
that Colombia was entirely able to handle
| the situation and to keep open traffic across
| the isthmus 1t was the first personal
| exchange between Mr. Hay and the Colom-
/ bian minister since the present acute stage
/ OF the trouble arose, Dr. Silva returned
| only Saturday night from an extended
| stay at summer resort
The minister's communication to Secre-
tary Hay did not take any formal or writ
| ten shape, but was an informal discussion
| of the situation. based on the minister's
| latest advices He informed the Secretary
| that a cable dispatch from Bogota, sent
last Thursday, stated that traffic across
| the isthmus was entirely unobstructed as
a result Of the efforts Of the Colombian au-
thoritieS. He also expressed the fullest
confidence that Colombia was able to MAIN
| tain free traffic across the istimus. So
| far the United States government is
| concerned, there never has been any pur-
pose to exert any military force in keeping
| open isthmian traffic unless it became per-
| fectly plain that Colombia was unable to
| do so. This view was made known to Dr.
Silva, who afterward expressed his satis-
| faction at the result of the interview and
/ his complete reliance in the conservative
| purposes Of Mr.. Hay.
Certain Features Made Clear.
The assurances given by DR.. Silva make
| clear certain features of the situation.
First there is no interruption of traffic at
| the present time, Colombia giving official
assurance of this and the United States
| having no advicecs from its representatives
| showing actual stoppage OF traffic with
in recent days.
| Second, both governments are agreed that
| the first responsibility for maintaining free
| traffic is on Colombia, and that the United
| States is not called upon to act until CO.
| lombia finds herself unable to fulfill the
primary responsibility.
Third, the United States will undoubted-
| ly judge for itself when any occasion arises
for exercising it's authority on the isthmus.
A request from Colombia would be strong
evidence that such occasion had arisen.
But 1t is not essential to await a request
or notice from Colombia although such
communication would undoubtedly receive
the fullest consideration. The actual con-
ditions 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 official
| statement, yet it is believed to cover the
| main questions involved at the present
time.
Precautionary Measure.
1t discloses that the movement Of our
warships southwark has been entirely a
precautionary measure to look after Amer
lean interests in case of an actual obstruc-
tion of traffic, and that the situation as 1t
exists today does not call for an exercise
of any American authority on the isthmus.
1t Is understood that the Navy Depart
ment has been looking over the situation
as regards other ships available on the At
lantic side in case future events should
necesSitate reinforcementS on the eastern
side of the isthmus, and 1t has been found
that ship could easily be detached from
the North Atlantic squadron at short no.
tice
irl;
considerable gathering of foreign warships
at the isthmus and that the American
ships will be brought into company with
those of the British German and French
navies. Already the French cruiser Suchet
is at Colon. According to German reports
a German war vessel is moving west from
Africa, and the cruiser Niobe is likely to
be assigned to service along the isthmuS
The German cruiser Geier, which was in
American waters for some time, is also ex-
pected to return. English reports have also
referred to the probable presence of some
OF the ships OF the British West Indian fleet.
This will make rather unusual gathering
from the foreign navies, and the authorities
here will doubtless be desirous of having
American interests represented by ships
worthy of comparison with those from
other countries. On the Pacific side the
Iowa will undoubtedly be the largest ship
among those present, as there are few for
eign ships on the Pacific side, outside Of
those attached to the British station at
Vancouver.
1t was stated at the Navy Department to-
day that the battle ship Iowa, now at San
Francisco, would probably sail for Panama
tomorrow morning. The Iowa is undergo
ing repairs to her boilers, and this work
is being pushed with all possible expedition
in order that there shall be as little delay
as possible in her trip southwark.
DR.. Silva Satisfied.
When seen at the Colombian legation
after his visit to the State Department
DR.. Silva expressed himself as highly salts
fled with the assurances given him by Mr..
Hay that the United States would not take
a hand in affairs on the isthmus, unless
a request came from the Colombian gcv-
ernment itself, or else the need of inter-
venton became so apparent as to make a
request unnecessary. The minister stated
that some time ago he informed his gov
ern,nent the United States could not put
into operation the treaty provision for
keeping open traffic on the isthmus unless
Colombia found herself unable to do so.
His interview with Mr.. Hay strengthened
this view OF affairs, and he advised his gov
ernment of the entirely disinterested pur-
poses of the United States, and of it's pur-
pose not to act so long traffic across the
isthmus remains unobstructed.
DR.. Silva was most agreeably impressed
by his call at the State Department, and
he expresses complete confidence that Mr..
Hays conservative view of the situation
assures Colombia that no Intervention will
come from the United States unless it is
obviously necessary, or is asked for.
Squadron Going to Hampton Roads.
1t was announced at the Navy Depart
ment this afternoon that the North Allan
tic squadron would leave it's present rem
devious near Newport about August 20,
to go to Hampton Roads. When specific
inquiry was made as to whether this had
any connection with the troubles in South
America, an authoritative answer was
given that 1t had no relation whatever to
affairs in that quarter. It was explained
that the maneuvers of the squadron in
New England waters had now come to n
close, and that the southern drill grounds
off Hampton Roads afforded better facilities
for the evolutions now in contemplation.
These plans appear to have been formed
some time ago. It Is evident however
that the effect of the movement will be to
place the vessels of this squadron about a
day and half's sail nearer the scene of
southern difficulties than they would be IL
they remained on the New England coast
It Is also true that If the necessity arose
the ships could coal more quickly than at
any northern port.
The vessels comprising the North Allan
tic squadron include the battle ships kear-
sarge. the flagship of Rear Admiral Htg-
gtnson: Alabama and Massachusetts, and
smaller ships, with several torpedo boats.