River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-08-22

Washington. Aug 2O.-The Colon
bian minister, DR.. Silva, had a con-
ference Monday with Secretary Hay.
1t was the first personal exchange
between the secretary and the repre-
sentative of Colombia since the pres
ent disturbance started. DR. Silva
gave Mr. Hay information to the eff
feet that traffic on the isthmus was
entirely unobstructed and also as
sured him of the ability of Colombia
to keep the traffic open.
The minister's communication to
Secretary Hay did not take any for
NAL or written shape, but was an in
formal discussion of the situation
based on the minister's latest advices.
He informed the secretary that
cable dispatch from Bogota, sent last
Thursday, stated that traffic across
the isthmus was entirely unobstruct-
ed as a result of the efforts of the
Colombian authorities. He also ex-
pressed the fullest confidence that
Colombia was able to maintain free
the United States government is con-
cerned, there never has been any pur-
pose to exert any military force in
keeping open isthmian traffic, unless
it became perfectly plain that Colom-
bia was unable to do SO. This view
was doubtless made known to DIR.
Silva, although the nature of the
exchange is known only in the most
general way.
Certain Points Cleared Up.
The assurances given by DIR. Silva
make clear certain features of the
situation. First, there is no interrupt
tion of traffic at the present time,
Colombia giving official assurance of
this, and the United States having
no adyices from it's representatives
showing an actual stoppage of traffic
within recent days.
Second, both governments arc
agreed that the first responsibility
for maintaining free traffic is on
Colombia, and that the United States
is not called upon to act until Colon
bia finds herself unable to fulfill the
primary responsibility.
Third, the United States undoubt-
edly will judge for itself when any
occasion arises for exercising its au-
thority on the isthmus. request
from Colombia would be strong evil
dence that such occasion had arisen.
But it is not essential to await a re-
quest or notice from Colombia, al
though such a communication I'M
doubtedly 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 by the Uni5ed States.
Although the foregoing is not an
official statement, yet it is believed
to cover the main questions involved
at the present time. 1t discloses that
the movement of our warships south
ward has been merely precautionary
measure, to look after American inter-
ests in case of an actualobstruction to
traffic, and that the situation as it eX-
lists to-day does not call for an exer-
else of any American authority on the
isthmus.
1t was stated at the navy depart
ment Monday that the battleship
Iowa, now at San Francisco, will prob
ably sail for Panama Tuesday morn
mig. The Iowa is undergoing repairs to
her boilers. This work is being pushed
with all possible expedition in order
that there shall be as little delay as
possible in her trip southwark.
DIR. siIvn Pleased.
When seen after his visit to the
state department, DR.. Silva expressed
himself as highly satisfied with as
surances given him by Mr.. Hay that
the United States would not take a
hand in affairs on the isthmus, unless
request came from the Colombian
government itself, or else the need
of intervention became so apparent
as to make a 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
keeping open traffic on the isthmus,
unless COLOMBIA IOunu neTSelI uHdDle
to do so. He says his interview with
Mr.. Hay strengthened this view of
affairs. and he advised his govern
ment of the entirely disinterested
purposes of the United States, and
of its purpose not to act so long as
traffic across the isthmus remains un-
INSTRUCTED.
Bombs I'm Mail Bags.
Colon. Aug. 20.-The postal author
tiles here say regarding the explosion
on board the German steamship
Croatia Thursday that the mail bag
containing the two gun shells was
mailed in Panama, and that the bag
was admitted in view of the formal dec
laration of German merchants that
there were no explosives therein.
No one was injured by the explosion,
but considerable mail was destroyed.
Castro Encourages RevoIutionists.
Willemstadt. Curacao, Aug. 2o.-Se-
nor yellegas Pulido, formerly presi-
dent of the Venezuelan state Of Quart
~ ana lataIx- President IN s+rnso min