The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-08-20
CAN KEEP TRAFFIC
ON ISTHAUS OPEN
Colombian Minister Gives AS
surance to Secretary Hay.
NO ASSISTANCE WANTED
LITTLE LIKELIHOOD OF UNITED
STATES INTERFERING

Washington, Aug. 19.-The Colom-
bian minister, DR.. Silva, had confer
ence today with Secretary Hay It was
the first personal exchange between
the secretary and the representative of
Colombia since the present disturbance
started Dr. Silva gave Mr.. Hay in
formation to the effect that traffic on
the isthmus was entirely unobstructed,
and also assured him of the ability OF
Colombia to keep the traffic OPEN
The minister's communication TO sec
rotary Hay did not take any formal or
written shape, but was an informal uls-
cussiOn 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 en-
tirely unObstructed as a result OF the
efforts of the Colombian authorities.
He also expressed the fullest confi-
dence that Colombia was able to main
tain free traffic across the isthmus. 80
far as the United States government IS
concerned there has been no purpose
to exert any military force in keeping
open isthmian traffic, unless 1t became
perfectly plain that Colombia was I'M
able to do so. This view was doubt
less made known to DR.. Silva, although
the nature Of the exchange is known
only in the most general way.
make clear certain features of the sit
uatiOn. First, there is no obstruction
of traffic at the present time, Colombia
giving official assurance Of this. and
the United States having no advices
from its representa- ves showing an
actual stoppage of traffic within recent
days.
Second, both governments are agreed
that the first responsibility for main
tanning free traffic is on Colon bia, and
that the United States is not called
upon to act until Colombia finds her
self unable to fulfill the primary re-
sponsibility.
Third. the United States undOubted-
" will judge for itself when any occa-
sion arises for exercising its authority
on the isthmus- 1t is not essenLiaI 10
await a request or notice from Colon
bia. although such communication
undoubtedly would receive the fullest
considerat ton. 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 United States
But Precautionary Measures.
Although the foregoing is not an Of
fetal statement, yet it is believed to
cover the main questions involved at
the present time. It disclOses that the
movement Of our warships southwark
has been merelv a precautionary meas
L
! in case of an actual obstruction OF traf-
/ fic and that the situation as it exists
| does not call for an exercise OF any
American authority on the isthmus-
When seen after his visit to the state
department, DR. Silva expressed him
self as highly satisfied with assurance
given him by Mr.. Hay that the United
States would not take a hand in at
| fairs on the isthmus unless a request
I came from the Colombian government
itself, or else the need of intervention
became so apparent as 10 make a re-
quest 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 found her
self unable 10 do so. He says his in
terview with Mr.. Hay strengthened
this view of affairs and he advised his
government of the entirely disinterest-
ed purposes of the United States and Of
its purpose not to act so long as traffic
across the isthmus remains unobStruct-
ed.
It was stated at the navy department
today that the battleship Iowa, now at
San Francisco, will probably sail for
Panama tomorrow morning The Iowa
is undergoing repairs to her boilers.
This work is being pushed with all pos
sible expedition in order that there
shall be as little delay as possible IN
her trip southwark
Secretary Hay will leave for Canton
in a day or so, probably tomorrow 1t
is said at the state department that
more significance is attached to the
visit to the president than the facts
warrant Although it is quite evident
that the visit will give an opportunity
for going over the disturbed conditions
in South America, the Chinese sItua-
ton and other pending international
questions. yet there is reason to be-
lieve that the meeting has no special
reference to any of these topics. but is
more with a view to affording oppor-
tunity for a general exchange between
the president and the secretary of
state.