The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-08-20
TO KEEP TRAFFIC OPEN.
That Is Said TO Be The Sole Purpose
of the United States.
NOT 70 INTERFERE IN THE TROUBLE
Now Existing Between Venezuela and
Colunbia-Batteship Iowa Likely to
Start for Panama Today.

Washington. August 19.-The Colombian
minister, Or. silva, had conference to-
day with Secretary Hay. II was the first
personal exchange between the secretary
ana the representative Of Colombia since
the present disturbance started. pr IVA
gave Mr.. Hay information to the effect
that the traffic on the isthmus was entire
ly unobstructed and assured HIN o. III
ABILITY Of olombia to keep trahic open.
rhe minister's communication 60 Score
tary Hay did not assume any formal or
written shape but was an Informal dis
cusson of the situation based on the min
sters latest advices. He Informed the
secretary that a cable dispatch from Bo-
gotta, sent last Thursday, stated that traffic
across the lsthmus was entirely unobsruet-
ed as a result of the efforts of the Colom-
blan authorities He also expressed the
fullest confidence that Colombia was able
to maintain free trafltc across tie istAmls.
So far as the United States government
Is concerned there never has been any
purpose to exert any military force IN
keeping open isthmian uualc until II he
came perfectly plain that Colombia was
unable to do SO. This view was DOUBTLESS
made known to Mr. silva although the
nature of The exchange is known only In
The assurances given by Dr. Silva make
clear certain features of the situntion:
First, there Is no Interruption Of traffic
OF this and the United States having no
adyices from It's representative showing an
actual stoppage OF traffic Wlthin recent
agreed that the 8rst respens'biiity Tor
maintaining free traffic Is on Colombia and
that lhe United States Is not catei upon
n act until Colombia finds herself unable
TO RUM the primary responsibility. Third
the United States undoubtedly viii ju g
for herself when any OCcus.On arises for eN
eresing its authority on the isthmus.
request from Colombia would be strong
evidence that occasion has arisen. But II
is not essential to await q request or notice
from Colombia although such determine
ron would receive the fullest consideration
The exact conditions rs to whe her trait,
is open or closed VIII determine finally
whether there Is amy occasion for The exer
Although the foregoing is not an Official
statement, yet Il Is believed to cover The
neln questions involved at the present
ulne. IL discloses that the movement Of
our warsnlps southwark has been merely
a precautionary measure to look after
An encan interests in case of an actual OBJ
slfuctlon OF traffic ana chat the situation
as II exists today does not call for a1y
isthmus
-, II was stated at the navy department
mar the battleshp Iowa now at San
tlanclsco VIII probably said for Panama
when When seen after his visit to the STATE
oepGrtNent Dr. silva expressed himse
gwen him by Mr. Hay that the Unifej
states would not take hand IN the affairs
" tAe lslAmus unless request came from
5ne 3Tot1tublau t.-'ernment itself or else ths
need or Intervention became so apDare1f
as % Ike request unnecessary. The
minister glnllster stated that some time ago he in
tVtheu MIS- government that the Initial
states would r0t put into operation he
treaty provision for keeping omen troffie
one on me istihmns unless Colombia found her
view with Mr.. Hay strengthened Ills Vow
o. aHairs and he advised his governnnen'
lie tx Teits e99tSSf EEL disinterested purpose o.
act 81 Su- I61,, states end It's purpose not to
remains unobstructed. 'e isVninus