Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-04
SHILLING THE CITY
Colombian warship Bogota
Opens Up Bombardment of
the City of Panama
PANAMA ASKS RECOGNITION
Requests That the United States Rec
osnize II as a Separate Govern
ment-unless Smelling of Panama
Stops United States Viii Seize
Colombian War Vessel.

Washington, Nov. 4.-Consul Ehr-
man. at Panama, cables the state de-
partment today that the Colombian
government warship Bogota is shelling
the city. Eleven Cinnamon have been
killed. Ehrman has been instructed to
protest against the bombardment,
If the consul's protest Is not suffi-
cient the commander of the cruiser
Boston, which is on the way to Pana-
ma, will promptly seize the Colombian
gunboat, II necessary, to stop the
hombardment. The bombardment is a
violation of all the rules OF war, begin
ming as 1t did without the required
notice. Moreover this government tax
e. the ground that it certainly inter-
feres with the freedom of transit across
the isthmus, which Its treaty Is
hound to maintain. The greatest ac-
tivity Is exhibited in the state ana
navy depar tments today, and there
were FREQUENT consultations between
the officials
The government today received
cablegram from Panama requesting IL
TO recognize. the new government.
OFFICIALS ar. as yet in ignorance as
n what tie new government con-
s,sts of and have taken no action on
the request.
1t is quite evident the navy IS max
ing prepaira tions for larger oeii'oii-
stra ton in isthnlian waters lilaii II na@
made for many years ana the aaS. % !.
mn. dispuised that all information uffat
b.s come from secret agents OF enc
government point to the ultimate sue
cess as the revolutions But meanwhile
axtreme,c- delicate questions are to be
answered. for the occupation of one END
OF the Panama railroad by goVerh-
menit force and the otter end by revo-
lutdondsts mikes the situation extreme
ly complicated. That's one reason CON
ferences are being held and why 1t Is
desirable that tlpe most exact l1lstruc-
tfons possible under the circumstances
shah be sent. to our naval commanders
and consular, officers on the isthmus to
prevent them from making any faase
move that would place the United
States government in the position of a
violation of the treaty stipulati lions or
Displaying power in derogation OF
Coiombias rights.
You viii protect American interests
at all points and Go everything poessi-
BILE to avoid bloodstrsd" is the sub
stance of the instructions cahaed by the
navy department to naval commands
ers now at the istlmnus or on their
way The last part OF the instructions
Is particularly significant. For ii fore
casts more active interrosition fby the
United States government in the trou-
bles on the istihmus than has perhaps
ever before been displayed. These Or
ders were the result OF conferences
held last night at the white house be-
tween the president, Secretary Hay
and Assistant Secretary Loounis. Act
ing Secretary of the Navy Darling and
Rear Admiral Taylor. chief of the hu-
reau of navigation.
So 1t is not doubted that under the
authority thus conveyed the United
States naval commanders will land
marines and sailors at the, railroad
termni Indeed. 1T is not doubted that
Commander Hubbard. of the Nash
viIe, already has placed a marine
guard ashore at Colon to protect rail-
road property. and the commander of
the Boston probably Will taGSe the same
action when he arrives at Panalna.