Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-28
T0GUlRDJ HE|STHMUS
Immediate Radical Change in
Policy Not'g Contemplated.
DISPATCH OF TROOPS
WILL AWAIT fsENArE's RATIFI.
CATION OF PANAMA TREATY.
Several Thousand Soldiers Will Be
Needed-Preparing to Close
Colombian Legation.


ministration Is to make no radical change
in its military plans regarding the Isthmus
of Panama until after the ratification of
the Panama canal treaty by the Senate
When that takes place it is probable that
the marine forces now encamped at various
points in Panama will be withdrawn from
the interior OF that country and their places
supplied by troops Of the regular army.
who will establish permanent garrisons at
various strategic points and be governed
in their future movements by the action CT
the Colombian government.
Plans have already been formulated at
the War Department for ali possible even
Qualities. and in case of necessity large
force of troops can be forwarded to Pam
anna and Colon on short notice. Transports
will be cid In readiness at San Francisco
and at New York for the prompt execution
of such movement.
The administration is disinclned to use
roopS on the iSthmus in advance Of the
ratlhcation of the canal treaty and the reg
ular establishment of constitutional gov
eminent in Panama, but will not hesitate to
employ them as an auxiliary to the large
naval force already there in case it be-
comes necessary to maintain the position
OF the United States. 1t is stated that the
the treaty OF 1915, which requires this coun-
try to maintain free transit across the
iStkmus.
Permanent Garrisons Required.
Under the pending treaty with Panama
the United States guarantees to maintain
the independence of the isthmian republic.
1t is also charged with the protection of
the canal zone and with the maintenance
of peace and order at Colon and Panama
in case the local authorities are unable to
do SO.
r yc, ncffv fo5
diers will be needed to fulfill these obliga-
lions properly, and in the event that CO.
lombla attempts to take fOrcible posses
sion of the seeded territory prompt steps
Will be taken for the military occupation
OF the disputed territory, with the purpose
of repelling the invasion. The military
plans under consideration contemplate the
complete projections of the canal strip dur
ing the construction and subsequent OPP
Grafton OF the waterway, thus necessarily
covering long period of time and requir-
ing the establishment of permanent garri-
sons.
To Close Colombian Legation.
Although the reply of Secretary Hay to
the note of General Reyes has not been
made, preparations are rapidly going on
for the closing of the Colombian legation
here and the departure of Colombia's repre-
sentatives for home. 1t Is clear that they
do not entertain much hope of a satisfac-
most of the legation files have been packed
and arrangements completed for placing
them in storage here. General Reyes for
several days has denied himself to callers.
1t is believed here that while the reply
Of Secretary Hay has not been made. SUI
ficient informal Won has been obtained by the
Colombian Representatives in the inter-
views they have had with the Secretary to
enable them TO forecast lis conclus. ons. The
preparations gong on for closing up the
affairs of the legation would seem to indi-
cate that General Reyes and DIR. Herrdn
are awaiting only as a matter of form and
diplomatic courtesy the official communica-
ton of Secretary Hay, setting forth TIE
reasons why this government cannot &C
cept their view of the Panama situation be-
fore sever.ng diplomatic relations with the
United States.
The Colombian Note.
The Colombian note contains a statement
of the grievances which the country claims
to have suffered under the interpretations
put on the treaty of 1916. 1t discusses
these grievances in calm and dignified
tone. and sets out reasons which Gen.
Reyes claims support the contentious he
has made.
While disavowing any intention OF bring
ing undue pressure to bear on Secretary
Hay for a speedy reply to the note which
Gen. Reyes has filed in behalf Of his gov
eminent both he and DR.. Herran are most
anxious to be appraised of the Secretary's
conclusions at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
The hope Is entertained both by Gen.
Reyes and DIR. Herran that In the event of
a refusal by Secretary Hay to admit their
contentious the United States may agree
as a last resort to submission of the
proposition to I he Hague court of arbitra-
ton. 1t was pointed out that the fling of
the note was In accordance with the treaty
OF 1916 between the United States and CO.
lombia, one of the provisions of which
gives the contracting party feeling aggriev-
ed at the action of the other the right to
protest, with the further stipulation that
reply shall be forthcoming
1t is said that Secretary Hay has not in
Dictated when he will make answer to the
Colombian note.
Panama's Share Of Colombian Debt
The statement of M. Bunau-Varilla, the
Panama minister. that his government Is
willing to assume portion of the Colom-
bian debt, has peen received at the British
embassy and transmitted by cable to the
London government for its consideration.
GOING TO TIE ISTHMUS