The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-23
C0L0MBIANS DISARMED
NOT PERMITTED TO CARRY GUNS
ON RAILWAY TRAINS.
Step by Commander Mclean that
Probably Will Raise a storm
of DisapprOval.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 22.-The Navy De-
partment is in receipt OF the following
cablegram from Commander Mclean, of
the cruiser Cincinnati dated Colon, Sept.
20:
THE United States guards and guaran-
tees traffic and the line of transit. To-day
L permitted the exchange of Colombian
troops from Panama TO Colon, about l,VVo
men each way, the troops without arms, In
train guarded by American naval force In
the same manner as other passengers, arms
and ammunition in seperate train guarded
also by naval force in the same manner as
other freight
Officials of the Colombian legation here
predict that storm CT disapproval will
arise in Colombia as a result of Commander
McLeans action in disarming the Colom-
bian troops before their passage across the
isthmus. 1t is stated here that Colombia s
agreement with the Panama Railroad
Company specifically provides for the
transportation of Colombian soldiers by the
railroad when occasion arises, and the COM
mander's action is regarded at the legation
here as direct infringement of Colombia
sovereignty over the isthmus.
Commander Mclean, in having the troops
transported in a separate train from their
arms is acting apparently in accordance
with his construction of that part OF Sec
rotary Moody's instructions, cabled Satur-
day, which read:
Amy transportation of government
troops not in violation of treaty, and which
would not endanger transit or provoke
hostiities may not be Objectionable. The
department must rely upon your Judgment
to decide such questions as conditions may
arise from day to day."
Naval officers say the commander evil
IDENTIFY believed the transportation OF the
troops, rifles in hand and cartridge belts
full, might provoke hostilities," while en-
route across the isthmus and create an in
terruption of traffic.
A belief, which has grown so strong that
1t no longer can be disregarded, is held in
Central and South American diplomatic
quarters here in regard TO this latest, and
in point of numbers, almost unprecedented
dispatch of naval force to the isthmuS.
This belief (and ii should be stated that
the impression prevails in spite of emphatic
expressions of high officials of the United
States government to the contrary is that
the large naval force which has been sent
to keep traffic open across the isthmus will
prevent, by its very presence, the continual
ton of hostilities along the railroad on any
extensive scale, and soon bring them TO
halt altogether; that the force has been
sent there in anticipation of an early sig
nature of the Panama canal treaty and
that it will be kept there to maintain order
and quiet along the strip from Panama to
Colon, which, by the terms of the prospec-
tive treaty, the United States is to control
The following important dispatch was re-
ceived at the Colombian legation here to-
night from Governor Salazar, of the De-
partment of Panama: REBELS have re-
treated to Aqua Dulce. Railway traffic per-
fectly free. The interior of Colombia COM
pletely pacified. To-day additional rein
forcements reached Colon from Barranquil-
la. Rebels admit hopelessness of their
cause.