Evening star., 1901-08-14
Secretary bay Returns to the State
Department.
HIS COMING WITHOUT SIGNIFICANCE
No Developments in the CoIom-
bia-VenezueIan Affairs.
THE SITUATION AT PEKIN

Tile dlteIHooH MI. hay mas Deen at mis-
summer home in Newbury, N. H., and
upon his arrival at the department ipme-
diately engaged himself in going over vari
ious official papers bearing upon the Cen
trail American and Chinese situations.
1t can be authoritatively stated, however,
that there is no especial significance in
Secretary Hays return to the city, notwith-
standing reports to the contrary in circula-
tion this afternoon. During his stay at
Newbury he was in constant communica-
tion with the department., both by mail
and telegraph, and was kept posted even to
the most minute degree on developments
as they have occurred from time to time.
Mr.. Adee, who has been acting as secre-
tary during Mr.. Hays absence has noti-
fled Mr.. Hay of everything as it happened,
and his action relative to the situation has
fully met all the requirements up to this
time 1t is held, therefore, that Mr.. Hays
presence at the department cannot be con-
sidered as Indicative of any new official
moves regarding the situation except as
they may be required by developments
which may occur.
When Mr.. Hay appeared at the depart
ment today huge bouquet had been
placed upon his desk a greeting. Short
ly after his arrival he held conference
with Assistant Secretary Adee, but none of
the details of their consultation was made
public.
1t is not known how long Mr.. Hay will
remain in Washington, but it is stated
that he will be here for several days at
least and he may remain for some time
longer.
The COlOmbian-Venezuel Troubles.
There was conspicuous lack Of officially
reported developments in the Colombian
Venezuelan affairs at the State Department
today. No dispatches or other advices
bearing upon the situation had been re-
ceived up to a late hour this afternoon.
and so far as that department was con-
cerned affairs on the isthmus were In
statu quo.
The State Department has no informa-
tion concerning the reported death of
General Rafael Tribe Tribe, alleged in pri-
vate dispatches to have occurred. Such re-
ports in insurrectionary affairs of this
character are SO common that generally
not much reliance is placed on them.
Up to late hour today the gunboat
MachiaS, engaged for two days past in
making preparations for cruise to the
scene of hostilities, had not left Hampton
Roads. 1t is probable, however, that she
will depart from that port not later than
tomorrow, and will proceed at once TO
Colon. The battle ship Iowa, on the Pacific
side, is expected to arrive at San Francisco
at any moment from Puget sound, and
after supplying herself with all the neces-
sites for the trip will leave at once for
Panama on the western coast. According
to unofficial advices received from the scene
of the inSurrection considerable lighting
has been going on from time to time on the
isthmus.
This disorder, according to report, has
been occurring principally along the line Of
the railway between Colon and Panama.
This road is being conducted by Americans
and it naturally follows that the fighting
being indulged in there is threatening or
perhaps destroying property there. If this
situation should continue 1t may be neces-
sary to land American forces on both sides
of ha iSth IA a
comparatively small detachment of forces
which can be landed, but the Iowa will
carry a very large detachment of marines
and jackies, who can land and make a
formidable front. The responsibility for
protection to the tranS-isthmuS railroad de-
wolves. Of course, upon the Colombian gov
ernment, but that government may not be
able to keep the insurgents In hand in
which event the situation will prove to be
serious to American interests involved
there.
French Warship at Colon.
In this connection it Is noted that the
French warship Souchet has already ar
rived at Colon. Although the French are
understood to have considerable property
interests on the isthmus, in connection
with the canal route, 1t is said that there
is no provision In the treaty between
France and Colombia, similar to the one
existing between France and the United
states, lndt Tree transit across
the isthmus shall be kept open. However
it is not doubted that the presence of the
Souchet will have Salutary influence in |
quieting disorder. The statements made in
the French press, to the effect that the in
cident on the isthmus might lead to an
American acquisition in that quarter of |
course. receives no attention or credence
in the best posted official quarters The
purposes OF the government have at all
times been restricted to protecting Ameri-
can interests in that locality. and keeping
open transit across the isthmus in ac.
cordance with the provisions of the treaty.
In this respect the attitude Of the gov
ernment has always been one of absolute |
impartiality and abnegation.
Satisfaction Regarding China.
AS to China there is a general feeling
of satisfaction among officials Of the State |
Department. in which Secretary Hay
shares over the latest information for |
warded by Commissioner Rockhin relative
to the closing Of negotiations on the pro-
tocol and the retention of cereals and flour |
on the Chinese free list. In this latter |
achievement Mr.. Rockhill seems to have
gained a point which will be highly advan- |
tageous to the Pacific coast interests and |
which will allay some apprehension felt by |
them lest a rather heavy rate of tariff |
might be applied.
According to dispatches from China, Mr.. |
Rockhill is making preparations to leave |
Pekin for San Francisco, and French |
war vesseI mas Deen placed at his disposal |
in making part of the trip. This intention |
of Mr.. Rockhill appears to be in line with |
purposes he communicated to the State /
Department about three weeks ago. At |
that time he fixed August Is as the prob |
able date Of his departure, as it was the |
expectation of the ministers that the pro- |
tocol would be signed on the 14th. But |
this time is now at hand without definite |
that the protocol has been or
will be signed today, although the final |
agreement on it's terms disposes of all es- |
sential issues. Now that this much is ac- |
1t Is hardly felt that Mr. Rock
hills personal presence is necessary at the |
signing, as Mr.. Conger will be at Pekin |
shortly.
In connection with the Chinese situation |
It was recalled at the State Department |
that today Is the first anniversary Of the /
relief OF the besieged legationers at Pekin. /