Americus times-recorder., 1903-11-22
FOL TICAL SITUATION
COLOMBIAN REPUBLIC
Attitude of Government on
Panama Question.
STATEMENT OF MARRoouIN.

President of Colombia Speaks of lthe
Present Status of Affairs on the
Isthmus-American Are Guaran-
toed Every Safety.
Bogota, Nov. 21-President Mario
quin has made the following statement
to the Associated Press in response
to quiries as to the political situation
in Colombia:
United States Minister Beaupre and
all Americans here are surrounded
with every guarantee for their safe
/ ty. My communications to the Unit
ed States senate and to the people of
/ the United States make manifest the
attitude of my government on the Pan
anna question. The situation in the
interior OF the Colombian republic is
quiet"
President Marroquin's reference to
his communication to the people of
the United States is explained by the
| following address which he has given
to the correspondent of The Associated
| Press:
Victim of Unexpected Aggression
The president of Colombia to the
American People: The Colombian
nation has just been the victim of an
unexpected aggression and is in danger
of losing the best part of it's territory.
A military movement, not popular SEN
timent, was the origin of the procla-
nation of independence in Panama.
The American government, which
has always been held by Colombia
to be its best friend and ally, pre-
vented with marines, loyal militia
from subjugationg the traitors and
checking the origin of the insubordi-
nation
The solemn treaty between Colon
bia and the United States alluded to
until the last moment by the Ameri
can government binds the United
States not only to respect the sover-
eighty and ownership of the Panama
isthmus by Colombia but to help the
latter to maintain them. The proceed
ings of the United States marines on
the isthmus and of the American min
lister here are in open violation OF
that treaty.
Respected as Sacred Tr st.
THE isthmus OF Panama, he most
coveted part of the globe, and the
most precious part of our fatherland
always has been respected by the ma
tions as a sacred trust considered by
Colombia to be the honor and power
OF the American people. The tradi.
tions of that great nation, the United
States as mighty defender of rights
and bearer of the standard of civiliza.
tion before the world always has been
opposed to the secession of territory
and the dismembering of nations. Non
recognition of the confederate states
during the civil war confirms emphat..
icaIly the application OF this doctrine
decsively at critical moments.
Will Not Permit Treaty Violation.
'"rhe American people will not Ser.
NIT, l am sure, violation of public
treaties, thus denying their glorious
traditions in order to obtain by force
what Colombia is ready to concede
through pacific and equitable ways
Colombia heartily wished to strength.
en- the ties of friendship and commerce
with the United States and give Wig.
orous impulse to the common interests
and to the greater power and glory Of
her eldest sister republic. But the
proceedings Of the Washington govern.
ment fnterefer, unhappily, with good
feeling in both countries, being q bar.
rier in the way of higher enterprise.
advantageous not only to them but
to humanity in general The Colon.
bia people tranquil in the strength of
right and being sure of the sentiments
of justice and equity of the American
people, appeal to the national con.
science of the United States which
conscience constitutes a force supe.
rior by far to that of an army and
navy, in order to save the honor and
integrity of our territory.
Respect Stars and Stripes.
THE Stars and Stripes, always dear
and respected by the republics of both
@AAAOl ASdo, ACFGI oudlI U0 outraged or
blemished in Colombia
No matter what the procedure of
the government at Washington NAV
be, the persons and the property of
citizens of the United States here re-
main cOnfided to the traditional honor
of the government and people of Co
lombia. (Signed) Marroquin'
Rejects independence of lsthmus.
The Colombian newspapers express
the hope that the American press will
help the cause of Colombia II Is
announced that the entire country re
jects the independence of the 18TH
mus and demands that the Colombian
government send troops to suppress
the secession movement.
Volunteers, without distinction OF
| political parties, are enrolling with
enthusiasm and the Liberal leaders
who have been the enemies of Presi
| dent Marroquin, have offered him their
| services.
Two popular meetings were called
to protests against the presence here
of the American minister, but the
| government issued orders forbiddine
| them to be held A battalion of troops
is on duty at the United States lega.