Evening journal., 1903-12-18
COLOMBIA READY
FOR FIGHTING
Cruiser Atlanta Discovers
Troops Near the Panama
Line
RESENT AMERICANS PRESENCE


cruiser Atlantis. Commander William
h. Turner. returned here from the gulf
of Darien. She discovered detach-
ment Of Colombian troops, numbering
about 800 men, but according to their
statements totallins 1900 OF 1000, at
Titumati, on the western side OF the
gulf, Just north OF the mouth Of tbs
Atrato river. The commander Of the
Atlanta sent ashore an officer, who con-
versed with the Colomblans' COM
mander. The latter protested energet-
ically against the presence Of Ameri-
can warsbips in Colombian waters, in
so much as war between Columbia and
the United States had not been de-
clared and politely requested the At
lanta to leave the gulf, because it be-
longed to Colombia.
The Colombians are busy with pro
tective and strengthening measures.
Although they treated the Americans
courteously they decidedly resented the
presence OF the Atlanta's landing
party. The Colombian force was com
posed partly Of the men landed re-
Gently at the Atrato river by the Co
lombian cruisers Cartagena and Cen.
eral Pinzon.
The Atlanta sighted a small schooner
IN the centre of the Gulf OF Darien
and followed her to the western shore,
where the schooner attempted to hide
behind an islet Lieutenant Harlan j.
Perrill. OF the Atlanta. was ordered to
board her, and thereupon a whaleboat
was lowered and pulled towards the
schooner. Lieutenant Perrill's boats
crew consisted OF ~ men. On the first
trip they were unarmed, excepting four
revolvers When the whalehoat ap-
preached the schooner "a soldiers were
seated on the side. nearest TO the direc-
ton from which the Americans came,
With rines lying handily across their
knees and pointing towards the whale
boat General Novo, second in conf
mand Of OF the Columbian forces,
stood on the deck of the schooner and
insolently called out in broken Eng
lish: what way is this to make
wpr?"
Lieutenant Perrill explained that IL
was not war. buta friendly visit
General Nov0. however refused 70
furnish him with any information.
An interpreter who boarded the
schooner discovered she had 20 men
In her hold. The-Atianta then signaled
to Lieutenant Perrin to return to his
ship and later the lieutenant returned
to the shore ii visit General Ortiz. This
time he took with him a dozen rifles
concealed in the bow Of whalehoat in
.csse qf emergency. The whaleboarvas
rowed steadily towards the schooner,
the excitement Increasing as she APP
preached. but when Lieutenant Perrill
went on shore General Ortiz appeared
on the beach and the excitement sub
sided.
General Ortiz insisted that Lieuten-
ant perrill' should fly the Colombian
fag at the bow OF the whalehoat CT
lower the Americn flag at her stern
because she was in Colombian waters
Lieutenant Perrill replied that he did
not have a Colombian liag and refused
to lower the stars and stripes.
General Ortiz made an eloquent
verbal protest against the Americans
presence. the Colombian troops con.
tinually cheering his remarks He
subsequently committed his protest 20
whiting. The general seemed uncertain
a. the beginning whether or not war
had boon declared. lie left the port OF
Cartagona December 2 and some oi
The others declared they had been in
tAe snli for a month past conducting
defensive and preparatory operations
The protest reads partly as follows:
ITO the captain Of The Atlanta
Daniel Ortiz. oommandant general o
a division OF the Colombian army ant
FIRST adjutant to General Reyes. pro
tests most energetically IN the name o
the Colombian government aud al
Colombians against the presence O
American warships ia our waters. 70
are citizens OF a power of the countr
immensely rich and possessing vas
numbers Of inhabitants. On the con
trary. we are bbnnkrupt and our I'm
mense territories are depopulated. Cs
lombia has been bled by fatuous civ
wars, but today in the Panama matte
and regarding yourselves We believe W
have right and justice on our side. ID
not doubt st. The God Of nations wi
be on our side Against him squad
ronB and cannon shall not prevail
Every Colombian. man or woman,
capable to rising TO heights OF heroisn
"(signed) D. ORTIZ"
The Colombians carefully and sys
tematicaliy made efforts to avoid fur
nishing any Information as TO wha
purposes had brought them to tn
gulf or whether they we're building
road towards the Republic Of Panaml
Tut 10 can be said reliably they ar
awaiting superior orders. In the near
time there Is strong probability tina
they are building road towards Par
ANA. The distance separating Tiu
matt and Yaviza is 60 miles.
The Colombians declared they ha
1000 men between the mouth OF II
Atrato and Tiburon well supplied wit
food, clothing and ammunition, The
also have several pieces OF artilley
mounted advAntageousiy at coasts
points. Their demeanor. though polit
clearly showed hostility and deep CHI
grin At having been discovered. Mar
indications pointed to their intentic
Of bringing further men and supple
70 the gulf.
Adele-f'What was Mrs. Tattler's ol
I-1.