Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-17
COLOMB|ANS PROTEST
Commander Requested
to Leave Darien Gulf.
IGNORED THE REQUEST
TREATED WITH COURTESY, BUT
HIS PRESENCE RESENTED.
Panama's Enemies Busy With Protec-
tive and Strengthening Measures
Junta's Election Decree Pro-
vokes Enthusiasm.
IGNORED THE REQUEST

cruiser Atlanta. Commander William H.
Turner. returned here last night from the
Gulf of Darien. She discovered December
10 a detachment Of Colombian troops, num-
bering visually about 500 men. but. accord
ing 10 their statements. totaling 1880 or
1000 men, at Ttumati. on the western side
of the gulf just north Of the mouth Of the
Atrato river.
The commander of the Atlanta sent
ashore an officer who conversed with the
Colombians' commander.
The latter protested energetically against
the presence OF American warships in CO.
lOmbian waters. insomuch as war between
Colombia and the United States had not
been declared. and politely requested the
Atlanta to leave the gulf. because 1t be-
longed to Colombia.
Commander Turner ignored the request
and the Atlanta returned to Colon to report
to Rear Admiral Coghlan.
The Colombians are clearly busy with pro-
tective and strengthening measures. AL
though they treated the Americans cour-
teousy. they decidedly resented the pres
ence of the Atlanta's landing party.
The Colombian force was composed part
ly of the men landed recently at the Atrato
river by the Colombian cruisers Cartagena
and General Pinzon.
Story Of the Expedition.
AIoi ~ III tLo uioi i1ii8 u AcS0mbCA IL eAio
Atlanta sighted small schooner In the
center of the Gulf of Darien and followed
her to the western shore. where the schoon-
er attempted to hide behind an islet. Lieu
tenant Harlan P. Perr1ll of the Atlanta was
ordered to board her. and thereupon
whaleboat was lowered and pulled toward
the schooner.
Through the courtesy of the naval officers
the correspondent of the Associated Press
accompanied the party in the whaleboat.
1t was found that the schooner had on
board a hundred armed Colombian soldiers,
commanded by General Rafael Novo. who
said General Daniel Ortiz eommander-in-
chief OF the Colombian forces of the Allan
tic and the Pacific. had large camp a mile
away on the mainland
General Novo requested Lieutenant Per-
Til to land and confer with General OriZ.
After temporarily returning TO the Atlanta
Lieutenant Perrill went back to the Schoon-
er, which in the meantime had taken up
position of beach within small bay.
Colombians Enthusiastic Over Arrival
Great excitement prevailed among the Co
lombians on the whaleboats approach.
There were repeated cries of Viva Colom-
bia! and there was a sudden concentration
of about $50 Colombian soldiers on the
beach.
For some moments the situation appeared
dangerous and had the appearance of am
buscade General Ortiz appeared on the
beach when Lieutenant Perrill went ashore,
the whaleboat in the meanwhile lying close
to the beach.
General Ortiz insisted that Lieutenant
Perrill should fly the Colombian flag at the
bow of the whaleboat, or lower the Ameri-
can flag at her stern, because she was in
Colombian waters.
Lieutenant Perrill replied that he did not
have a Colombian flag, and refused to low
er the stars and stripes. General Ortiz did
not insist upon his doing, but he pro-
tested IN writing against the presence Of
the Americans In Colombian waters. Lieu
tenant Perrill accepted the protest and con-
veyed 1t to Commander Turner, who handed
it to Rear Admiral Coghlan on his arrival
here.
American Surrounded by Sentinels.
During the conference with the Colom-
bians ashore Lieutenant Perrill was sur.
rounded by General Ortiz's staff. while in
land a few PAGES. there was a semi
Of armed sentinels. The beach In both di-
rections was also lined by sentinels
General Ortiz did not permit Lieutenant
PerriI to leave the point of the beach
where he landed. While Perrill was await
Ing the Colombian protest First Lieut.. Ed
ward b. Manwaring, commanding the ma
rine guard of the Atlanta, rowed up In a
cutter for the purpose Of communicating
with Lieutenant Perrill and to gain certain
military information. Lieutenant Manwar-
ing went ashore and the cutter Joined the
whaleboat of the beach.
Requested Atlanta to Leave.
Lieutenant Perrill returned to the At
lanta at o'clock In the afternoon. Lieu
tenant Manwaring, before returning, pulled
In the cutter along the coast, observing
the Colombian camp. Later in the day Gen
eral Ortiz requested the Atlanta to leave
The Colombian camp appeared to be per-
manent, was well provisioned and prob
ably destined to be used as a base of opera
tions
General Ortiz and others freely expressed
the determination of Colombia to fight to
the bitter end In case General Reyes visit
TO washington Is not successful and Pana-
ma Is not returned to Colombia.
Public Opinion Favors Treaty.
PANAMA. December 1.-THE junta.s de-
cree fixing December 2s as the date for the
election of representatives to the national
convention has been received with enthus-
iasm in the towns In the interior Of the re-
public. There is no doubt that public opin-
ion favors the canal treaty with the United
States and the candidacy Of DIR. Amador
for the presidency.
ACTION BY NICARAGUA.