Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-04
wARsHP BoMBARDING PANAMA
Vice Consul General Directed to Pro
test Against It.

test Against II.
The State Department this morning re-
ceived a cablegram from United States Vice
Consul General Ehrman at Panama an
nouncing that the Colombian government
warship Bogota was sheling the city OF
Panama and that so far one Chinaman had
been killed in the bombardment. lnstruc-
tions were Immediately cabled to Mr.. Ehr-
man to enter protest against the lombard
ment.
If the consuIs protest is not suff1clent
then the commander of the U. s. S. Boston,
which is by this time on her way to Pana-
ma from San Juan del Sur, 600 miles dis
tant, will promptly seize the Colombian
gunboat If necessary to stop the bomparo-
ment This bombardment is said to be in
violation of all the rules of war, beginning,
as alleged, without the required notice.
Moreover, the United States government
takes the ground that it certainly interferes
with the freedom of transit across the 18TH
mus, which the United States is by treaty
bound to maintain. The government would
regret exceedingly, it is said. to be obliged
to make an issue with the Colombian gov
ernment, but it is not believed that that will
be necessary at the present stage.
Important Conferences.
There was the greatest activity exhibited
10th in the State and Navy Departments
tits morning and there were frequent con-
situations between the officials. the naval
officers particularly being intent on work.
ing out the details for the plan Of the pro-
lection of the isthmian traffic outlined py
the State Department Soon a1ter the aI
rival at the Navy Department TINS morn
ing of Acting Secretary Daring con-
ference was held In his office between l.m-
self and Real Admiral Taylor. CHIEF OF
the bureau Of navigation. ana Capt: =. d.
Humphrey and Lieut.. E. V. D. Murphy.
the two army officers who recently returned
from a secret mission to the isthmus, Vene,
zuela and Colombia to gather conndentiaI
information about the internal condltlons
and other facts to enable the United states
to meet any emergency that might arise.
Acting Secretary Darling went with MS
conferees to the State Department. where
arother conference occurred with secretary
Hay and Assistant Secretary Looms.
President Roosevelt had brief confer
erce this morning with Secretary Hay as
to the situation, but secretary nay re-
turned to the State Department without
House it was announced that any news
relative to the revolution and action by
this country would be given out at the
State Department
Instructions to Commanders.
you will protect American interests at
all points and do everything possible TO
avoid bloodshed.' is the substance OF the in
structions cabled by the Navy Department
at the instance of the State Department to
the naval commanders now at the isthmus
or on their way. The last part OF the In
structions is particularly Significant Tor II
forecasts a more active 1nterpoSltlon by the
United States government in the troubles
ON the isthmus than has perhaps ever be-
fore been displayed.
These orders were the result of the con-
ferences that were held last night at the
White House between the President, Secre-
tary Hay and Assistant Secretary Loofnis.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Darling and
Rear Admiral Taylor, chief of the bureau
of navigation. So 1t is not doubted that
under the authority thus conveyed the
United States naval commanders will land
marines and sailors at the railroad termini;
indeed it is not doubted that Commander
John Hubbard of the Nashville has already
placed a marine guard ashore at Colon to
protect the railroad property. Unfortu-
nately, though the revolution came off on
scheduled time on the Pacific side, the navy
had not managed to get a ship at Panama
in season but within forty-eight hours the
Boston will probably be there and will like
wise land marines.
Extensive Naval Preparations.
1t is quite evident that the navy is making
preparations for a larger demonstration in
isthmian waters than 1t has ever made be-
fore, and the fact Is not disguised that all
of the information that has come from the
secret agents of the government points to
the ultimate success of the revolution. But
meanwhile extremely delicate and danger
Gus questions are to be answered The oc-
cupation of one end of the Panama railroad
by the government force and Of the other
by the revolutionists makes the situation
extremely complicated. That Is one reason
why frequent conferences are being held
and why 1t is desirable that the most exact
instructions possible under the circum-
stances shall be sent to our naval COM
manders and to the consular officers on the
isthmus to prevent them from making any
false move that would place the United
States government in the position of violat-
ing treaty stipulations or exercising ag-
gressive powers in derogation of Colombia's s.
just rights. 1t SO happens that Mr.. Beau
pre-, our minister to Bogota, was cabled
leave Of absence few days ago, and it is
hoped that he is now away from the Colom-
fCnpfinnad on Covopth Do~oN