The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-06
Objects to J. s, Attacking SoV-
 ereign Rights of County
SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS
Admiral Casey Arriyes With Instruc- tions to Prevent Passage of Arms and Ammunition Across lsth-
 mus, and SaIazar Objects.

Panama, october 5.-After the confer ence held last week between General Salazar, governor of Panama and com mander of the Colombian forces on the isthmus and Commander Mclean of the United States cruiser Cincinnati no fur ther difficulties were feared, for it was believed that General Salazar was sat isfied that the landing of American ma i rines on the ,sthmus had for it's only ob- ject the maintainance of free railroad transit between here and Colon. The ar rival at Panama of Rear Admiral Casey on board the battleship Wisconsin, how ever has qut quite change in the situ- ation. It now appears that the instruc tions 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 Admiral Casey would not permit the transporta- ton of armed or uDarmed military ent- ployes of the government or of war ma terial of any kind ry the railroad. Gen. eral Salazar. up to yesterday had not ancwered this letter. He was presumably awaiting the result of the conference with Admiral Casey. which occurred yester- day on beard the Wisconsin.
 Two Objections.
 At this meeting General Salazar said that the United States accor ding tc the convention of 1s46 had contracted two n. separable obligations, namely. to gaur- antee positively and efficaciousIy free A. antee in the same manner the rights of sovereignty and property which Colom- bia possess over the isthmian territory. The governor of Panama said further that if the Colombian government is not allowed to transport It's troops and war material by rail over the isthmus, r only does the United States not fulfill it's second obligation, but 1t attacks Colom- bias rights of sovereignty and violates all principles of morality and justice that he, as the representative of the nation and government could not accept such an Incorporation of the convention and against which he must energeticaIly pro test.
 Governor lSalazar explained that the revolutionists could not be considered on the same footing as the government sol- diers, the latter being defenders of the laws of the nation. while the rebels, by their actions had placed themselves out side of the law He said that an interpre- tation of the convention of 1S46 which did not permit Colombia to transport It's troops and war material over the Isth- milan railroad constructed on it's own ter ritory while allowing other nations and even those openly aiding ne revolution to transport war material over this rail rail under the protection of American ma rines must necessarily be entirely erron- eous.
 Casey Stands Pat.
 To General Salazar Admiral Casey an- swered that he was complying with in- structions received. He said he regretted he had been compelled to take these measures but he considered them neces- sary to protection of free transit across the isthmus Admiral Casey also said that he would consult with Washington and see what could be done in the matter
 It was the general impression in Colom- bian circles here that Admiral Casey has ministerpreted his instructions. It Is considered fortunate that General Sala- gar has acted prudently in this matter and that cordial personal relations exist between him and Admiral Casey and that cordial personal relations exist be- tween him and Admiral Casey as these facts may do much towards preventing the very serious complications which are now thought to be imminent. It Is be- lieved by Colombians here that unless the Washington authorities send instruc- tions to teir representatives on the isth- mus which does not have the appear ance of attacking the sovereignty rights of Colombia, the manner of handling the isthmian question which does attack Co., lumbias sovereignty may decide the vote of the Colombian congr~ che canal bill.