Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-07

States Consul Ehrman, at Panama,
cables the state department under
Wednesdays date that the Colombian
government warship Bogota is Smelling
the city. Eleven Cinnamon have been
killed.
Mr.. Ehrman has been instructed to
protest against the bombardment.
May Seize Gunboat.
If the consul's protest is not sufficient
the commander of the United States
steamship Boston, which is by this time
on her way to Panama from San Juan
del Sur, 900 miles distant, will promptly
seize the Colombian gunboat if neces-
sary to stop the bombardment.
This bombardment is in violation OF
all the rules Of war, beginning as it did
without the required notice. Moreover,
the United States government takes the
ground that 1t certainly interferes with
the freedom of transit across the 18TH
mus which this government is treaty
bound to maintain.
Ask Recognition.
The United States government Tues
day received a cablegram from Panama
requesting that it recognize the new gov
eminent The officials here are as yet
in ignorance as to what this new gov
eminent consists of and have taken no
action on the request.
Activity at Warrington.
The greatest activity was exhibited
in the state and navy departments
Wednesday morning and there were
frequent consultations between the Of
ficials, the naval officers particularly be-
ing intent on working out the details OF
the plan of protection of the isthmian
traffic outlined by the state department.
1t is quite evident that the navy is
making preparations for larger dem
onstration In isthmian waters than It
has made for many years and the fact
is not disguised that all of the informa-
ton that has come from the secret
agents of the government point to the
ultimate success of the revolution. But
meanwhile extremely delicate questions
are to be answered.; for the occupation
the government force and of the other
end by the revolutionists makes the sit
uation extremely complicated. That is
one reason the conferences are being
held and why it is desirable that the
most exact instructions possible under
the circumstances shall be sent to our
naval commanders and to the consular
officers on the isthmus to prevent them
from making any false move tina.
would place the United States govern
ment in a position of violating treaty
stipulations or displaying power in
derogation of Colombia's just rights
Significant Instruction..
"You will protect American interests
at all points and do everything possible
to avoid bloodshed," is the substance of
the instructions cabled by the navy de-
partment at the instance of the state de-
partment to the naval commanders now
at the isthmus or on the way. The last
part of the instructions is positively sig
nificant, for it forecasts more active
interposition by the United States gov
eminent in the troubles on the isthmus
than has perhaps ever before been dis
played
These orders were the result of-con-
ferences that were held Tuesday night
at the white house between the presi-
dent, Secretary Hay, and Assistant Sec
rotary LOOMS, Acting Secretary of the
Navy Darling and Rear Admiral Taylor,
chief of the bureau of navigation. So
it is not doubted that under the au-
thority thus conveyed the United States
naval commanders will land marines
and sailors at the railroad termini; in
deed, it is not doubted Commander
John Hubbard, Of the Nashville, already
has placed a marine guard ashore at
Colon to protect the railroad property,
and the commander of the Boston prob
ably will take the same action when he
, arrives at Panama.