The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-11-12
MARIN ES Ian DED
Once More the United States
Has Closed Railroad on
the Isthmus.
Further Details Of the Sensational
Coup in Declaration Of independ-
ence by Panama Citizens.
Uncle Sam is Vitally
interested.

Vice United States Consul Ehrman,
at Panama, Colombia, cabled the state
department under Wednesdays date
that the Colombian government war
ship Bogota was shelling the city.
Mr.. Ehrman was Immediately in
structed to protest against the bom-
bardment.
II the consuls protest is not suffi-
cient, then the commander OF the Uni
ted States ship Boston, en- route to
Panama from San Juan Del Sur, 600
miles distant, will promptly seize the
Colombian gunboat if necessary to
stop the bombardment.
This bombardment is in violation OF
! all the rules of war, beginning as it
did without the required notice. More
over, the United States government
takes the ground that it certainly in
terferess with the freedom Of transit
across the isthmus, which this govern
ment is treaty bound to maintain.
The greatest activity was exhibited
in the state and navy departments
Wednesday, and there were frequent
consultations between the officials OF
the navy, officers particularly being in
tent on working out the details for the
protection of the isthmian traffic out
lined by the state department 3
It lis quite evident that the navy is
making preparations for a larger de-
mcnstration in isthmian waters than
it has made for many years, and the
fact5is hotFdisgused that all Of the in
formation that has come from the Sc
crets agents of the government point
to the ultimate success Of the revolu'
ton.
you will protect American interests
at all points and do everything posi-
Bile 10 avoid bloodshed,'' is the sub
stance of the instructions cabled by
the navy department to the naval com
manders now at the isthmus or on
their way. The last part of the in
struetions is particularly significant,
for it forecasts more active interpo
sition 5yatheG United States govern
menf Id the troubles On the isthmus
than has perhaps ever before been dis
played.
With the Atlanta, Dixie and Nash
vile there, will be naval force eoD
the gulf side of the isthmus sufficient
to meet any probable emergency. The
presence OF the 400 Colombian govern
ment troops at Colon makes the sit
uation there st present more difficult
than on the Panama side. 1t will
probably oblige the United States te
take temporary possession of the rail
way, as traffic cannot be maintained
with one end of the line in possession
Of the government forces and the
other in.zthe hands Of the revolution
lists. 6 ~ g
Excitement in Colon.
General Cuadros, the prefect of Co
lon, and the commanding officer Of
troops in the city are maintaining
their position of refusing to ;acknowl
edge the authority Of the provisional
government of Panama. During the
day the United States gunboat Nash
Vile landed about fifty blue Jackets
and a quantity Of ammunition. This
action caused great commotion.
The Colon eian; flag still nies over
the prefecture. - The flag Of the
new republic has already made its ap
peranee in Colon. rz -
During the excitement Wednesda.
afternoon the blue jackets from tn:
Nashville quietly placed bales of cot
ton on the tops Of freight cars, form
ing excellent barricades. Many Of thu
citizens were armed with rifles and re
volvers. Several Americans and othe'
foreigners took refuge on board the
German steamer Markomannia. The
opinion of everybody in Colon is tha
the isshmian canal is now assured.
At 7:39 O'Clock Wednesday nign
the American bluejacketS returned
aboard the Nashville.
The Question of Recognition.
- Some cable inquiries have reached
the state department from men wht
stand very high in the business worlt
of Panama asking if the United State!
government would extend recognition
to the new state if the present move
ment was successful. The inquiries
did not come in such form as to jus
tify an official answer, and it is sait
that it is not the policy or this govern