New-York tribune., 1902-10-06
GEN. SALAZAR PROTESTS.
DECLINES To ACCEPT ADMIRAL CASE1'S
RAILWAY INSTRUCTIONS.
FRESH COMPLICATIONS THREATENED AT
THE IsTHMUs- GOVERNOR AND
ADMIRAL CONFER

ADMIRAL CONFER
Panama. oct. 5-After the conference held
fast week between General Salazar. Governor
OF Panama, and commander ~ the Colombian
forces on the istbmus and Commander Mclean
OF the United States cruiser Cincinnati no fur
ther dihicuties were feared. for il was believed
that General Salazar was satisfied that the
landing of American marines on the isthmus
had for its only object the maintenance of free
railroad transit between here and Colon. The
arrival az Panama of Rear Admiral Casey.
l. s n, on board the battleship Wisconsin.
however. has quite changed the situation. II
now appears that the instructions brought by
Rear Admiral Casey may result In serious com
phoations
Last Friday General Sslazar received a com
munication from Acting United States Consul
Ehrman. saving that Admiral Casey would not
permit the transportation Of armed OF unarmed
military employees Of the government or of war
material ~ any kind by the railroad General
Salazar up IN yesterday had not answered this
letter He was presumably awaiting the result
~ this conference with Admiral Casey. which
occurred yesterday on hoard the Wisconsin At
this meeting General Salazar said that the United
States. according 20 the convention Of 1876. had
contracted two inseparable obligations namely.
10 guarantee positively and effcaciously free
transit across the isthmus and 10 guarantee in
the same manner the rights of sovereignty and
property which Colombia possesses over the
isthnian territory The Governor of Panama
said further that il the Colombian Government
is not allowed 10 transport It's troops and war
material by rail over the isthmus not only does
the United States not fulfl its second obligation
but n attacks Colomhia's rights of sovereignty
and violates an principles OF morality and jus
tice. that he as the representative Of the nation
terpretation of the convention. and against
which ne must energetically protest
Governor Salazar explained that the revolu-
tionists could not he considered on the same
footing as the government soldiers the latter
being defenders Of the laws Of the nation while
the rebels. by their actions have placed them
selves outside law He said that al interpreta-
tion Of the convention Of lS46. which did not
permit colombia 20 transport it's troops and war
material over the isthmian railroad, constructed
on its own territory, while allowing other ma
tons ana even those openly aiding the revolu-
tion 10 transport war material over this railr1a
under the protection of American marines must
necessarily he entirely erroneous
To General SalaZar Admiral Casey answered
that he complying with instructions re-
ceived He said ne regretted he had been COM
PEELED 10 take these measures. hut he considered
them necessary 10 the protection of free transit
across the isthmus. Admiral Casey said. also
that he would consult with Washington and see
what could be done in the matter
n Is the general impression in Colombian cir
cles here that Admiral Casey has misinterpreted
his instructions II is considered fortunate thar
General SalaZar has acted prudently In this
matter and that cordial personal relations exist
between him and Admiral CASEY. as these facts
may do much toward preventing the very seri-
Gus complications which are now thought 40 be
Imminent II is believed by Colombians here
that unless the Washington authorities send in
etructions 10 their representatives on the 18TH
mus which do not have the appearance of at
tacking the sovereignty rights of Colombia the
manner of handling the isthmian question which
at N01r l,faf
the vote 81 the Colombian Congress on the Canal
bill