Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-10
HERRAN SURPRISED.
Knew Nothing of II and Was Not
Expecting Such a Move.

Washington, Dec. 9.-Dr. Herran, the
Colombian charge d'affaires, today,
authorized the statement that if troops
from Cartagena have landed near the
mouth Of Atrato river, as reported, 1t
is directly in opposition to the advices
of both himself and Gen. Reyes.
Gen. Reyes stated that the LaGuira
dispatch was the first information he
| had received of the reported movement
of Colombian troops. He declared how
ever, that If 1t is true such movement
was without any order from him. Upon
coming to Washington, Gen. Reyes tenn
Iporarily relinquished the command of
| the Colombian army, the duties falling
upon Gen. Castro, second in command.
| Gen. Reyes confirmed the statement
that prior to his departure for WASH
| ington, he had given instructions to
| the Colombian troops to make no hos
| tile demonstration until he was heard
from, and said that these troops were
now awaiting orders, which. however.
would not come from him direct but
from the government at Bogota.
Asked as to the probable length Of
his stay in the United States, he replied
that it was indefinite. He would he
said. hold another conference with
Secretary Hay in the course of the
next few days.
Gen. Reyes has been fully informed by
the President as to the intentions of the
government of the United States respect
ing the isthmus. He was told by the
President that the United States had de-
termined to maintain the independence
OF the new republic of Panama against all
corners While this guarantee is contain
81 h0f thp
United States Senate and as yet unrat,-
ted, the administration has for some
time past been acting upon the theory
that the understanding is in full force.
Therefore all necessary preparations have
been made to exert whatever physical
iorce may be necessary to protect that
ing military and naval operations to the
narrow strip OF the right of way across
the isthmus. 1t has been decided that
sound military policy requires the extern
sion of the protected zone to include the
entire territory of the republic Of Pana-
ma Consequently no Colombian troops
will be allowed to cross the frontier into
Panama
News has reached Washington OF the
reported movement of Colombian troops
toward the isthmus. but these reports
doubt upon their reliability. The point
on the gulf of Darten where the COlom-
bian troops arc reported to have landed
Is believed to be just about on the d.
vidinE line between the territory OF Pan.
anna and Colombia and it is probable the
troops will not cross. the border without
further instructions from BOgota. which
in turn will depend upon the reports made
to the Colombian government by Gen.
Reyes and by the two commissioners.
Jiminez and Blanco. who left Washington.
two days ago, on their return to Carta-
eena. A current report Is to the effect
that Colombian naval vessels are partici.
pating in the movement toward the 18TH
mus. but it is said at the navy depart
ment that they are SO insignificant in
power and size that the smallest Of the
United States warships now on the east
side of the isthmus could speedily termi
nate their activities.
The policy of the navy department
with respect to the entry Of Colombian
troops into Panama was said to be to pre-
vent a conflict before 1t commenced.
When seen. today, Lieut.. Gen. Young.
chief of staff. authorized the statement
to be made that the war department was
ready to dispatch troops to the tStnmus
on short notice should their presence be
demanded. Although the statement here
tofore has been denied. 1t Is learned that
the department has taken notice of the
repeated reports that Colombian troops
were assembling at different points with
the avowed purpose of making hostile
Continued on page a.