Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-29
WATCHFUL EYES
Were Plenty on 0Iympia's
Visit to Cartagena.
Reception Was Friendly in Appearance
Visit Cut Very Short.
Minister Beaupre Taken to Colon, Er
Route to States.

Colon, Dec. 2S.-Admiral Coghlan's
flagship, the cruiser Olympia. arrived
/ here. this afternoon, from Cartagena
bringing A. NJ. Beaupre, United States
minister to Colombia. and Mrs. Beau
pre-. Minister and Mrs. Beaupre ar
rived at Cartagena from Bogota, last
Saturday, and boarded the Olympia.
The Olympia Immediately sailed for
Colon. The minister will sail for New
York, on the steamer Yucatan, tomor-
row.
The reception of the Olympia at
Cartagena was friendly. The naval
authorities here received Instructions
from Washington, Christmas day not
to send the cruiser Atlanta, the con-
verted cruiser Mayflower and the gun
boat Castine to Cartagena with the
Olympia as previously projected.
The Olympia therefore sailed for
Cartagena alone at daybreak, last Sat
nrday. and arrived off the coast of
Boca Chica entrance to the big lagoon
on which Cartagena is situated. early
yesterday morning. AS the Olympia
ran toward the entrance she described
the Colombia cruiser Cartagena four
miles distant making every effort to
reach the entrance and to pass into the
lagoon ahead of the Olympia, which
she succeeded in doing
The Olympia steamed slowly to the
TCrgus entrance between two old Span
sh forts which We're apparently de-
serted and found that the Colombian
cruiser had taken up a position short
distance inside, but commanding the
entrance 1t was learned subsequently
that the Cartagena had grounded there
and that later she was towed into port.
The Olympia passed the Colombian
warship and proceeded to Cartagena.
which is eight miles from the entrance.
Anchorlng about a mile from the
town the Olympia hoisted the Colon
ban flag at her main and fired salute
of q guns. Shortly thereafter the
Colombian battery at the edge of the
town returned the salute.
Admiral Coghlan then sent a boat
ashore to communicate with United
States Counsel Orr, but it was learned
that Mr.. Orr had left Cartagena about
q fortnight ago for Barinquilla. The
British vice consul at Cartagena, who
is very i'll and hardly expected to live,
had undertaken to look after the
United States interests pending the ar
rival of Mr.. Orrs successor.
In the afternoon. Admiral Coghlan,
accompanied by Captain Harrison G.
o. Colby, paid an official visit to Dr..
Jose Insignares, the governor Of Boiiv-
ar.
A big crowd gathered at the docks
49, A 1i,.,1 n a
Colby and it silently followed the car
rages containing the officers through
the streets to the palace where another
big crowd had assembled.
Governor Insignares, surrounded by
a large number of secretaries and aides.
received Admiral Coghlan in the large
salon of the palace, to which the popu-
lace was admitted. The latter, however
were separated from the dignitaries by
railing.
Admiral Coghlan and Governor Insig-
mares exchanged the regulation formali-
ties. the crowd listening attentively. The
governor said he would return the visit
immediately, whereupon Admiral Cogh-
Ian and his party returned to the Olym-
pia.
The officers were in no way molested
or ANNOYED by the crowd which followed
words nor looks did the populace display
any hostility The Colombian battery
fired rear admiral's salute as Admiral
Coghlan put off for the Olympia.
About 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Gov.
Insignares. accompanied by a numerous
retinue boarded the Olympia for the re-
turn visit and remained for 10 minutes.
When the governor and his retinue were
discriminating the Olympia fired a gov
errors salue of II guns and Immediately
thereafter hoistcd anchor and steamed out
of the lagoon.
While Admiral Coghlan and other
Americans were treated civilly and cour-
tcously and while their visit was not
marked by the slightest unpleasant or
nntoward incident. it was evident that
the authorities at Cartagena were not
pleased with the arrival of the Olympia
and were very glad when she took her de,
parture Admiral Coghlan was careful!
to leave at the earliest possible moment,
evidently remembe ring the absolute 10Y
atty of the department of Bolivar to the
Pogcta government.
1t is suspected that the Bogota govern
mept had spies in Cartagena who were
carefully watching for any evidence OF
djsIovalty. since the Cartagena authorities
evidently desired to avoid all unnecessary
unfriendliness with the Americans. Coy.
Insignares kept himself surrounded by ms
staff Of secretaries during his interviews
with Admiral Coghlan in order, no doubt,
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