Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-11-07
THE INFANT REPUBLIC.


As was stated in the Gazette, formal
recognition of the existence of de facto
Government en- the Isthmus of Panama
has been accordedby the United States.
This action was taken yesterday after
the Cabinet meeting and meets with
the approval of every member of the
Cabinet.
DIR. Thomas Herran, the Charge d AT
faires of the Colombian Legation at
Washington, is momentarily expecting
his recall by the Colombian government.
He believes that the action of this coun-
try in according formal recognition to the
isthmus separatists will cause the most
intense indignation in Colombia. In
some quarters it is expected that Colom-
bia will 90 so far as to declare war on
the United States for the part 1t has
taken in the "cigil war" on the 18TH
mus.
Immediately after the Cabinet meet
ing Yesterday Secretary of State Hay an
nounced that he would give out an
official statement which could show the
policy of the United States Government
in isthmian affairs. The statement
which is comprised in two cablegrams
sent yesterday by the State Department,
follows
"The first one was sent by the State
Department yesterday to Mr.. Ehrman,
the acting Consul-General of the United
States at Panama:
''The people of Panama have, by an
apparently unanimous movement, dis
solved their political connection with
the Republic Of Colombia and resumed
their independence. When you are
satisfied that de facto government, re-
publican in form and without substantial
opposition from its own people, has
been established ia the State Of Panama
you will enter into relations with il as
the responsible government of the terri
tory and look to it for all due action to
protect the persons and property of citi-
zens of the United States and to keep
open the isthmian transit in accordance
with the obligations of existing treaties
governing the relation Of the United
States to that territory"
Immediately afterward an instruction
was sent by cable to Mr.. Beaupre, the
Minister of the United States at Bogota,
in the following terms:
"'The people Of Panama having by an
apparentlyunanimous movement dissoly-
ed their political connection with the
republic of Colombia and resumed their
independence and having adopted sgoy-
ernment of their own, republican in
form, with which the government Of the
United States of America has entered
into relations, the President Of the United
States, in accordance with the ties OF
friendship which have so long and so
happily existed between the respective
nations, Imost earnestly commends to the
governments of Colombia and of Panama
the peaceful and equitable settlement oi
all questions at issue between them. he
holds that he is bound not merely by
treaty obligationts, but by the interests OF
civilization to see that the peaceful traffic
of the world across the Isthmus of Pana-
ma shall no longer be disturbed by a con-
slant succession Of unnecessary and vast
fUl civil wars. "
The possibility tlat Colombia will
sever diplomatic relations with the
United States has been carefully consider.
ed by the administ alton. In fact, il
seems to be the general opinion thai
she will take such action, but as
matter of fact this contingency
is not worrying the State Depart
mept to any great extent DR.. Herran
when shown the cablegrams sent yester
day by the State Department 70 the rep
resentatives Of the United States in Co
lombia and at Panama, was Of the opin
ion that his recall would follow the re
ceipt of the news by the Bogots govern
ment. In such an event the Unite'
States would Immediately recall Unite'
States Minister Arthnr NJ. Beaupre, who
| il seems, is still at Bogota, although hf
was given leave of absence week ago.
By its action yesterday in reeognizln
the existence of a de facto government
on the Isthmus of Panama the Unite
States. it is held, transfers its treat
obligations as to isthmian traffic fror
| Colombia to the new republic and mus
nreyent the interference of any powe
whatever with isthmian traffic. In othe
words. if the Colombian governmen
attempts to land any force OF troops o
the isthmus with a view to hostiiitie
II Is held that it is the duty otthe Unite,
States to prevent such action even II
has to resort to force OF arms. In fact
instructions have been sent to the naya
commanders on the isthmus.
The State Department has as yet re
ceived no formal protest from the Bogot
government against its action In recoE
nizing the belligerency of Panama an
the refusal of the American naval o
icers to allow the landing OF Colombia
troops and the use of the Isthmian raj
way. 1t is confidently expected, how
( ever, that such a protest will be r,
ceiyed, but it is authoritatiyely state
that it viii not interfere with the polio
of the United States on the isthmus.
is believed by some that Colombia ma
I demand that the differences between
Z and the United States be settled by arb
g tration and there is also q feeling tn