The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-18
WORD TO STOP A WAR
pRl sIDENT WILL TELL COLON TIA TO TAKE TROOPS HOME.
F;ght Out of Question-Avenging Force Not Taken Seriously by Panama Officials in
 Washington.

Walter wellman's Washington Special to
 Record Herald.
 There will be no war between the unit ed States and Colombia over the lstnmus. The State Department has not receiVeo any information to the effect that Colon- bian troops are marching on Panama and does not believe that the Bogota gov ernment will be so foolish at to attempt to recapture the lost province by force. If any such attempt be made. 1t will not result in war, for the simple reason that the United States will not permit any fighting. In case Colombian troops em- bark for the Isthmus our naval corh- mander will be instructed to intercept tile vessels on which they are carried ana notify the Colombian officers that they may as well return home, as they will not be permitted to land. It is,' of course, possible Colombia may make an effort to forward troops, knowing that the United States will stop them, as by this means it might force the President to show his hand and enable Colombia to raise the plea that she could suppress the revoiu- tion and recover the Isthmus were 1t not for the interference of the American navy. It is not denied that this would raise a somewhat delicate question for the American Government. but President Roosevelt is determined that there shall  doubts that he has the courage to carry out his policy and endure such criticism as may follow.
 It may just as we'll be understood now as at any other time that the Republic of Panama is under the protection of the United States, and that it is to remain there. Neither the plaints of Colombia nor the criticism of Little Americans will induce the President to change his course. President Roosevelt believes he has ample authority for preserving the peace on the isthmus in the treaty of 1S46, which is now considered in force between the United States and Panama, the new republic having taken the place of the old government in that compact. The President further believes that he is jus- tified by the higher law of civilization. The United States is trustee for the world in maintaining free transit across the isthmus as well as in all necessary steps for contraction of the canal; and the only way to keep the peace, prevent needles bloodshed and forward the canal enterprise is for the United States to protect tn enew republic by keeping troops out of the isthmus. The United States did not foment the recent revolution, but 1t may be regarded as settled that it does not intend to permit another one. In
  trol of the isthmus, and will stay there to the end of time.
 There is no fear in Government circles that the threat of Colombia to march on the Isthmus will amount to anything more than lot of talk. The idea of ''war'' is laughed at. Minister Bunau- Varilla put it very well today when he said:
 Colombia making war on the United States would be a good deal like a her ring making war on an elephant. How is the Colombian herring to get out of its element and attack the elephant? The Colombians have no navy and no trans ports. so they can't go by water The impenetrable marshes make 1t impossible for them to go by land Even If the her ring were to succeed in getting on shore at thhe Isthmus. the elephant would simply step on him."
 President Roosevelt said to caller yes terday that the United States was tired of policing the isthmus for the benefit of Colombia, that now he was going to police it for the benefit of the United States. He believes the United States has some rights and interests there and he will protect them to the best of his ability.
 It has been supposed by good many people that President Roosevelt was ea- ger for war and would be glad of the first opportunity to set our ships and troops in motion. Those who have an- ticipated that the President would ea- gerly embrace this chance to have lit tie fighting will be sorely disappointed