The Irish standard., 1903-11-07
WARyHIP Shells
CITY OF panama
Advices from United States Vice Con-
sui Say Government Opens
Fire on the Town.
eleven cinnamon REPORTED
KILLED BY BOMBARDMENT
American Representative Ordered to
Protest Against Action and Gum
" boat Will Be Seized If 1t Is Not
Stopped New Government Asks
Recognition.

y Washington, Nov. 5.-Vice United
States Consul Ehrman, at Panama,
cables the state department under
Wednesdays date that the Colombian
government warship Bogota is Smelling
the city. Eleven Cinnamon have been
killed.
Mr.. Ehrman has been instructed to
protest against the bombardment.
May Seize Gunboat.
If the consul's protest is not sufficient
the commander of the United States
steamship Boston, which is by this time
on her way to Panama from San Juan
del Sur, 600 miles distant, will promptly
seize the Colombian gunboat If neces-
sary to stop the bombardment.
This bombardment is in violation of
all the rules of war, beginning as it did
without the required notice. Moreover.
the United States government takes the
ground that it certainly interferes with
the freedom of transit across the isth-
mus which this government is treaty
bound to maintain.
Ask Recognition.
The United States government Tues
day received cablegram from Panama
requesting that it recognize the new gov
eminent. The officials here are as yet
in ignorance as to what this new gov
eminent consists of and have taken no
action on the request.
Activity at Washington.
The greatest activity was exhibited
in the state and navy departments
Wednesday morning and there were
frequent consultations between the Of
f1cials, the naval officers particularly be-
ing intent on working out the details of
the plan of protection Of the isthmian
traffic outlined by the state department.
1t is quite evident that the navy is
making preparations for larger dem
pnstration in isthmian waters than 1t
has made for many years and the fact
is not disguised that all of the informa-
ton that has come from the secret
agents of the government point to the
ultimate success of the revolution. But
meanwhile extremely delicate questions
are to be answered, for the occupation
of one end of the Panama railroad by
the government force and of the other
end by the revolutionists makes the sit
uation extremely complicated. That is
one reason the conferences are being
held and why it is desirable that the
most exact instructions possible under
the circumstances shall be sent to our
naval commanders and to the consular
officers on the isthmus to prevent them
from making any false move that
would place the United States govern
ment in a position of violating treaty
stipulations or displaying power in
derogation of Colombia's just rights.
Significant Instructions.
"You will protect American interests
at all points and do everything possible
to avoid bloodshed," is the substance OF
the instructions cabled by the navy de.
partment at the instance of the state de-
partment to the naval commanders now
at the isthmus or on the way. The last
part of the instructions is positively sig
nif1cant, for it forecasts more active
interposition by the United States gov
eminent in the troubles on the isthmus
than has perhaps ever before been dis.
played.
These orders were the result of con-
ferences that were held Tuesday night
at the white house between the presi-
dent, Secretary Hay, and Assistant Sec.
rotary Loomis, Acting Secretary of the
Navy Darling and Rear Admiral Taylor
chief of the bureau of navigation. So
it is not doubted that under the au-
thority thys conveyed the United States
naval commanders will land marines
and sailors at the railroad termini; in
deed. it is not doubted Commander
John Hubbard Of the Nashville, already
has placed marine guard ashore at
Colon to protect the railroad property,
and the commander Of the Boston prob
ably will take the same action when he
arrives at Panama.
Six Warrants Issued.
Wachip OFT on Nov E-T1,a e,,proro y