The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-12-11
MAY CAUSE WAR
As the United States Will Feel Itself
Bound to Resist Any Attempt on
the Part of Colombia TO Enter Into
the New Republics Countrywide
Army and Navy Are Watching De-
velopments Closely And They Are
i'm State of Preparedness for Any
Conflict.

LaGuaira, Venezuela, December y.
The French steamer Versailles,
which has arrived here from Savanilla |
reports that the Colombian steamers |
have landed LOO men from Carta- |
gena, near the mouth of the Atrato |
river (Gulf of Darien) to open a |
way over the Darien mountains into
Panama. Other troops from the de-
partment of Cauca, Colombia, are said
to be converging on Panama, and
from all parts Of Colombia, troops are
said to be marching or waiting on the
result of the General Reyes mission
to Washington.
Washington. December 9.-Dr. Her
ran. the Colombian charge d'affaires,
today made the authorized statement
that the troops from Cartagena have
landed near the mouth of the river,
directly in opposition to the advices
of both himself and General Reyes.
General Reyes stated that the La
Guaira news was the first informa-
ton he had received Of the reported
movement of Colombian troops. He
declared, however, that if it is true,
as stated, that if such movement had
taken place it was without any Or
ders from him.
Upon coming to Washington as the
special representative Of the Colom-
bian government, General Reyes tenn
porarily relinquiShed the command OF
the Colombian army. the duties falling
upon General Castro, second-1n-com-
mand. General Reyes confirmed the
statement recently maze by Admiral
Coghlan in a report to the navy de-
partment that prior to his departure
for Washington he had given instruc-
tions to the Colombian troops to make
no hostile demonstration until he was
heard from, and said that these troops
were now awaiting orders which, how
ever, would not come from hi m direct,
but from the government at Bogota-
The general has been fully Informed
| by the President himself as to the in
tent on of the government of the
United States respecting the isthmus.
| He was told by the President that. as
was set out in the Presidents mes
| sage to Congress, the United States
| had determined to maintain the in
| dependence of the new republic OF
| Panama against all corners. While
| this guarantee is contained in a
| treaty now pending before the Unit
| ed States Senate and is yet unrauhed
| the administration has for some time
| past been acting upon the theory thai
the understanding is IN full force
Therefore all necessary preparations
have been made to exert whatever
physical force may be necessary tt
protect the isthmian transit. No Co
lombian troops will be allowed tt
cross the frontier into Panama; or
If they cross, they will be elected II
due time.
The policy of the navy department
| with respect to the entry of Colon
| bian troops into Panama was said to
. day to be to prevent a conflict befor
it commenced. To this end, the nava
commanders in those waters hav
: been given instructions to keep tn
| Colombian troops at a great dlstanc
from the isthmus at points where
fight with the Panama troops is like
, ly to occur. In all naval operation:
it may be stated on authority, tn
departmen is still guided by tn
| | treaty of 1916, under which the Unit
! ed States guarantees to keep trans
: across the isthmus open. A broade
Interpretation of the duties and re
! sponsibilities of the government i
? this respect has now been given t
e this treaty, by which the protectio
-
r confined to the canal strip, but to an
part Of the territory of Panama.
. When seen today, Lieutenant Ger
eral Young, chief of staff. authorize
the statement to be made that tf
{ war department was ready to dispatc
r troops to the isthmus on short motto
e should their presence be demanded.
o Although the statement heretofoI
S has been denied, it is learned that II
e department has taken notice of IL
h repeated reports that Colombo
troops were assembling at differel
points with the avowed purpose
= making hostile demonstrate
: against Panama, and has perfected z
military plans to repel such an il
yasion. General Young said tn
should he be called upon to assist Il
navy it would not be necessary
= send to the isthmus more than a reg
i ment or two. Although none Of Il
J. members of the joint army and ma
board, which met today, would a
i NIT that the isthmian situation W
rp under discussion, it is known tn
1T | such was the case and that both {
7r army and the navy are now in a sta
=. of preparedness for any conflict wi
~ Colombia which might arise.
- Colon, December 9.-The Unit
II . States cruiser Atlanta is still patro
ing the eastern efpd Of the San B