Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-06
SALAzAR WOULD HALT CASEY
lean Admiral hat He Goes Too
Far with His Orders.

PANAMA. Colombia, Oct. 5.-After the
conference held last week between General
Salazar, governor OF Panama and Colonel
Mander Of the Colombian forces on the
isthmus and Commander Mclean Of the
United States cruiser Cincinnati, no fur
Their difficulties we're feared, for It was
believed that General Salazar was satisfied
that the landing Of American marines on
the isthmus had for it's only object the
maintenance of free railroad transit be-
tween here and Colon. The arrival at
Panama OF Rear Admiral Casey on board
the battleship Wisconsin, however, has
quite changed the situation. It now APP
pears that the Instructions brought by
Rear Admiral Casey may result in serious
complications.
Last Friday General Salazar received a
communication from Acting United States
Consul Ehrman. saying that Rear Admiral
Casey would not permit the transportation
Of armed or unarmed employees OF the gov
eminent or war supplies of any kind by
the railroad. General Salazar up to yes
terday had not answered this letter. He
was presumably awaiting the result OF the
conference with Rear Admiral Casey on
board Wisconsin yesterday. At this meet
ing General Salazar said the United States,
dCCOTuluB 10 lub CONVENTION Oh lb4b, ndu
contracted two inseparable obligations,
namely, to guarantee positively and eflca-
ciously free transit across the isthmus, and
to guarantee in the same manner the rights
Of sovereignty and property which Colon,
bia possesses over the sthmus territory.
The governor of Panama said further that
II the Colombian government is not allowed
to transport it's troops and war material
by rail over the isthmus, not only does
the United States not fulfill its second OBJ
legation, but It attacks Colombia's rights
Of sovereignty and violates all principles
Of morality and justice; that he, as the
representative OF the nation and the gov
eminent, could not accept SUCH an inter-
probation of the convention, and against
which he must ~energetically protest. Gov
ernor Saiazar explained that the revolu>
tionists could not be considered on the
same footing as the government soldiers,
the latter being defenders of the laws OF
the nation, while the rebels. by their &C
tions, had placed themselves outside the
laws. He said that an Interpretation OF
the lays Of 1876, which did not permit Co
lombia to transport Its troops and war
materials over the isthmian railroad, con-
structed on it's own territory, while allow
ing other nations and those aiding the rev.
olution to transport war material over this
railroad under the protection of American
marines. must necessarily be entirely erro-
neoue.
To General Salazar Admiral Casey re-
piled that he was complying with i~nstruc-
lions received. He said he regretted that
he was compelled to take these measures,
but he considered them necessary to the
protection OF free transit across the 18TH
mus. Admiral Casey also said that he
would consult with Washington and see
what could be done in the matter. 1t wal
the general impression in Colombian cir
cles here that Admiral Casey has misinter'
preted his instructions. 1t is considered
fortunate that General Salazar has acted
prudently in this matter, and that cordial
relations exist between him and Admiral
Casey. as these facts may do much toward
preventing the very serious complications
which are now thought to be imminent.
It is believed by Colombisns here that I'M
less the Washington authorities send in
structions to their representatives on the
isthmus which do not have the appearance
OF attacking the sovereign rights Of Co.
lombia, the manner of handling the 18TH
milan question which does attack Colombia