Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-16
Colombia Earnestly Protests
Against United States.
CRIES INFRINGEMENT
HURLBUT TREATY HAS
BEEN IGNORED.
Recalls Attitude Of United States Dur
ing Civil War-Canal
Privileges.

LONDON, November 18.-The Colom-
bian authorities have cabled to London a
lengthy protest against the United States
action toward Panama, in which they
claim that 'the main responsibility for
the secession of Panama lies with the
United States government, firstly by To-
menting the separatist spirit, of which
there seems to be clear evidence; secondly,
by hastily acknowledging the independence
of the revolted province. and, finally by
preventing the Colombian government
from using proper means to repress the
rebellion"
The cable message goes on to say that
President Marroquin has energetcally pro-
tested to the United States and wishes
that his protest should be known through
out the civilized world.
Declares It an Infringement.
The president contends that the United
States has infrnged article 30 of the
treaty of 1876 which, he asserts, implies
the duty on the part of the United States
to help Colombia in maintaining her SOW
ereignty over the isthmus and adds that
the COLOMBIAN government repudiates the
assumption that they have barred the way
to carrying out the canal.
He asserts that since 1885 they have
granted canal privileges to different people
treaty concluded with the late General
Hurlbut when he was United States minis
ter to Colombia at Rogota, July s, 1870,
has been ignored at Washington.
Tried to Act Friendly.
After giving the previously stated reasons
for the Colombian senate's failure to ap-
prove the Hay-Herran treaty and asserting
that the delay in the negotiations had not
affected the ultimate issue of the canal pro-
ject the protest of President Marroquin
points out that Colombia had constantly
endeavored TO act in a friendly manner
with the United States even asking for the
assistance of American marines to insure
free transit across the isthmus," says the
rising occurred when the government was
not prepared. having withdrawn most of
its troops when peace was re-established
last year, and concludes:
Recalls Civil War.
9The hastiness In recognizing the new
government which sprung up Is under these
circumstances all the more surprising to
the Colombian government, as they recol-
lect the energetic opposition Of Washington
TO the Acknowledgement of the belhger-
ency of the confederates by the powers
during the Civil war"
President Marroquin's reference to pro
test filed by the Colombian government
with Washington relates to the letter
written q week ago by DR.. Herran, the
Colombian charge here, in which the writer
said he was sure his government would
approve of his protest.
But there was nothing before that, nor
has there been anything since, presented
TO the attention of the State Department
TO show that the charge acted in the mat
fer bv the direction of his own government
So that technically the Colombian gov
erunent has not lodged protest with the
State Department. 1t is assumed that cop
les of this protest delivered to the British
foreign office have been sent to each or
the principal European capitals. but moth
ing is likely to come of it, for the State
Department Is well assured of the lndls-
position of Europe to NEEDLE in the 18TH
mian Question.