The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-18

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)
ton. Lieutenant Manwaring went ashore
and the cutter joined the whaleboat of the
beach. Lieutenant Perrill returned to the
Atlanta at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Lieut..
Manwaring, before returning, pulled in the
cutter along the coast, observing the Colom-
bans camp. Later in the day General
Ortiz requested the Atlanta to leave.
The Colombian camp appeared to be per-
manent, was well provisioned and probably
destined to be used as base of operation:
General Ortiz and others freely expressed
the determination of Colombia to fight TO
the bitter end In case General Reyess visit
to Washington is not successful and PAN
anna Is not returned to Colombia
Further details of the incident were
learned this afternoon: Lieutenant Per-
rill's boat crew consisted of twelve men.
cepting four revolvers. When the whale
boat approached the schooner, twenty-four
soldiers were seen seated on the side,
nearest TO the direction from which the
Americans came. with rifles lying handily
across their knees and pointing towards
the whaleboat. Gen. Novo, who is a Ven
of the Colombian forces. stood on the deck
of the schooner and insolently called out in
broker English: What way is this to
make war;
PACKED LIKE SARDINES.
Lieutenant Perrin explained that it was
not war, but a friendly visit. General
Novo, however. refused to furnish him with
any Information. An interpreter, who
boarded the schooner, discovered that she
had seventy to eighty armed men, packed
sardine-like in her hold.
The Atlanta then signaled to Lieutenant
Perrill to return to his ship and later the
lieutenant returned to the shore to visit
General Ortiz. This time he took with him
a dozen rifles concealed in the bow of the
whale boat, in case of emergency. The
whale boat was rowed steadily towards the
schooner, the excitement increasing as she
approached, but when Lieutenant Perrill
went on shore, General Ortiz appeared on
the beach and the excitement subsidized.
After the flag incident General Ortiz made
an eloquent verbal protest against the
Americans presence, the Colombian troops
continually cheering his remarks. He sub
sequently committed his protest to writing.
The general seemed uncertain at the begin
ming whether or not war had been declared.
He left the port of Cartagena Dec. 2, and
some of the others declared they had been
in the gulf for a month past, conducting de-
| fensive and preparatory operations. The
protest reads partly as follows:
ITO the Captain of the Atlanta:
daniel Ortiz, commandant general of a
division of the Colombian army, and first
adjutant to General Reyes, protests most
energetically, in the name of the Colombian
| government and all Colombians, against the
presence of American warShipS in our
waters. You are citizens of a powerful
country, immensely rich and possessing
vast numbers of inhabitants. On the con-
trary, we are bankrupt and our immense
territories are depopuiated. Colombia has
been bled 10y fabulous civil wars, but to-
day. in the Panama matter and regarding
Justice on our side. Do not doubt it. The
God of nations will be on our side. Against
Him squadrons and cannon shall not pre-
vail. Every Colombian, man or woman, is
| capable of rising to heights of heroism."
REQUESTED TO LEAVE.
General Otis sent another communication
to Commander Turner asking what orders
the commander had from Washington re-
garding the movements of Colombian war
ships in Colombian waters, to which Com
mander Turner answered, saying they would
be treated as would the vessels of any other
power with which the United States is al
peace.
After saying that he was satisfied with
Commander Turner's answer the general
said. in part: II beg that you will leave
this port because the waters surrounding il
are part of the department of Cauca. ]
permit myself to inform you that the rebe
department of Panama borders on Cauca al
Tiduron. So long as war is not declared IL
seems to me only just and natural that
American warships should not enter the
waters south of Tiduron."
Commander Turner diSregarded this
Having accomplished the purpose of his
visit TO the gulf, namely TO locate the Co.
lombians, the Atlanta started for Colon the
night of Dec. Is.
TIL Colombians carefully and system
atically made efforts to avoid furnishing
any as to what purposes haC
brought them to the gulf, or whether they
were building a road towards the Republic
of Panama. But, 1t can be said reliably
that they are awaiting superior orders. In
the meantime there is strong probability
that they are building a road toward
Panama. The distance separating Titumat
and Yaviza is sixty, miles,
The C0lombians declared they had ZOO
men between the mouth of the AtratC
and Tiburon, well supplied with food
clothing and ammunition. They also hav,
several pieces of artillery mounted advan
tageously at coastal points. Their de
meanor though polite, clearly showed hos
tility and deep chagrin at having been dis
covered. Many indications pointed to then
intention of bringing further men and sup
pies to the gulf.
The Atlanta is going to the Chiriqui la
COON, where she will coal from a collier
Rear Admiral Coghlan is not sending an,
other ship to the Gulf of Darien.