The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-23
Naval Display in Panama Waters
Made with View of Impress
ing Europeans.
BLOW TO COLOMBIANS
No Probability that Their Appeal
for Arbitration Will Be
Needed.
BUCHANAN AT PANAMA
Ready to Begin Duties as Minister
Situation at Bogota-Beau-
pre- Coming Home.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Notwithstand-
ing the fact that the greater part of the
United States naval fleet is being mobil-
lied in the isthmian waters, there is no
real expectation on the part of the admin
istration that there will be an outbreak or
a collision between the forces of this coun-
try and those of Colombia. 1t is admitted
that the naval display is made in that
vicinity as a notification to the powers of
the world that this government has firm
grip on the situation and means to main
tain it.
"In the face of the comment heard In
many quarters about the promptness of
action on the part of our government,
said a leading official to-day, lit would
be we'll to reflect upon what the sentiment
would have been among our people If we
had not acted promptly and the treaty OBJ
legations Of this nation had been allowed
TO lapse. as would have been the result If
revolutionists had taken possession of the
isthmus and interfered with the traffic of
the railway. This government went to the
full limit of the Monroe doctrine in the
treaty of 1916 with New Granada by guar
anteeing the sovereignty of the isthmian
territory to that country. But this was a
guaranty to Colombia against all the rest
of the world. not against an uprising
among her own people. That guaranty and
the pledge of the security of life and prop
erty over the transisthmian route consti-
tute the basis for our action
The official also said that the records of
the events at the time of the uprising will
be searched in vain for any evidence that
fho Cd oi1 h. Do
maians. This government certainly knew
what was going on in Panama, as was
shown by the telegrams to our minister in
Bogota. More than that, our government
having all the facts of the situation in hand
was prepared to act promptly to prevent
blOodshed.
Refusal by the United States to con-
sent to a proposition from Colombia for a
reference of the Panama question to The
Hague tribunal is expected and will be
fully approved by the European powers. ="
This statement was made tonight by a
European ambassador of high rank and in
huence. IL has already been made In sub
stance, though in rather more. diplomatic
language, to Gen. Rafael Reyes. the Colom-
bian minister, who Is expected in his forth
coming note to the State Department TO
suggest The Hague tribunal as the proper
place for the settlement of the isthmian
problem. Whether the knowledge that the
refusal of such request so far from
pretudicing the European powers against
the Washington government will call forth
their emphatic Endorsement, will cause Gen.
Reyes to modify his note is not yet certain.
The ambassador quoted in explaining the
attitude Of European powers, said: PAN
anna is closed chapter in the history of
nations and The Hague court is not the
place for settled questions but for pending
problems. which are referred to Ii with
the full approval of all the parties interest
ed. When Russia. Germany and France
recognized the independence of Panama
they set their seal of approval the
prompt action of the Washington govern
ment in pledging itself to guarantee and
it had previously recognized. Nations can
hardly be expected TO settle questions of
sovereignty of national honor at The
Hague. Moreover, in my opinion 1T would
not be within the province Of the Wash
ington government to grant such re-
quest from Colombia 1t is to Panama. not
to Washington that Colombia should take
such a proposition.
There is. however, a question between
Colombia and Panama which with all the
propriety might be referred to The Hague
and to which reference the United States
will scarcely offer objection. 1t is the ques-
tion of the assumption by Panama of a
part of the Colombian debt. If General
its good offices to have this matter brought
before The Hague. Panama might safely
acquiesce in such proposition The diff
fculty in making this request would be
that Colombia thereby would recognize
this must come sooner or later"
AT the Navy Department the statement
is made tonight that the instructions to
naval commanders in isthmian waters to
prevent the landing of forces with hostile
structions. it is believed, are sufficiently
comprehensive to enable the commanders
TO maintain open transit across the 18TH
CONTINUED ON PAGE Q. COL. Sd