The sun., 1903-12-18
TO HALT COLOMBIAN TROOPS.
OUR MARINES GO TO BORDER TO
OPPOSE THEIR ADVANCE.
Colombian Force OF 500 Discovered by tho
Atlanta on Gulf OF Darien-American
Turned Back-We VIII Prevent In.
vasiOn Of Panama by Force Of Arme.
.speeta, Cable Despatch to THE SUN.


.speefa, Cable Despatch to THE SUN.
COLON, Dec. l7-The United States
cruiser Atlanta, Commander Turner, has
returned home from the Gulf Of Darien.
On the way she overhauled a Colombian
schooner with troops aboard,
The Atlanta discovered 500 Colombian
troops in camp on the western side Of the
gulf west Of the Atrato River. The Ameri-
can commander landed party of marines.
The Colombian commander protested
against their presence and refused per-
mission for them to proceed further. There
upon the Americans returned to the
Atlanta.
MARINES TO PREVENT INVASION,
WASHINGTON, Dec. l7.-Offcial confirma-
ton of the reports that Colombian troops
had been landed near the Atrato River,
in Colombian territory. close to the isth-
mian border, came to the Navy Department
to-day from Rear Admiral Coghlan. His
despatch was as follows
colon, Dec. 17.-Atlanta returned from
Gulf Of Darien. Found about 500 men.
Colombians, inland, between Tomato and
Terene islands. Had been landed by
Cartagena and Pinzon Colombian gum
boatsl. Gen. Prior word garbled, supposed
to mean Ortiz commanding, claimed to be
second to Gen. Reyes
In consequence OF this informal ion, the
bait tRlions OF marines landed at Colon
from the Dixie and the Prairie, 700 men
in all, have been ordered to San Miguel
BAY on the extreme western side OF the
Gulf OF Panama and to the nearest point
on the north coast of the Isthmus to the
Gulf OF Darer.
The purpose of this action 10 to prevent
the Colombian troops from entering Panama
territory. Should they do so the marines
will attempt to drive them out by force Of
arms, and any such engagement would
probably result in a declaration Of war
against the United States by Colombia.
From Rear Admirals Glass and Coghlan
the Navy Department received word to-
day that the Dixie's marine battalion would
encalup at Gorgona and the Prairie's bat
talon was encamped at Empire. Both
these places are on the route Of the Panama
Canal.
BATTALIoNs TO BE REEMBARKED.
The two battalions will be reembarked
and taken by water to the places where
they will await the coming OF the Colom-
bian forces.
Sar. Miguel Ray extends inland for con-
siderable distance in the direction Of tho
Darien Mountains. which mark the bound
ary between Colombia and isthmian terri
tory and the battalion sent there will be
taken from Panama a. far toward the
Colombian border as 1t Is possible to, 90
by water. ~. -tH r
The other battalion viii embark al Colon
and be taken TO q place near to and on the
side OF Cape Tiburon, which is on
the extreme western edge Of the Gulf of
Darien and marks the northern limit Of
the boundary between Colombia and Pana-
ma.
The Atrato River, near which the Colom-
bian force discovered by the Atlanta is
leads inland from the Cult Of
Darien, or rather from one OF Its arms, the
Gulf of Uraba, and is deep enough to permit
the transportation OF troops to point near
the middle OF the Colombian Panama
line.
CoLoMB1ANs TO MARCH OVERLAND.
1t is believed here to be the purpose OF
the Colombian forces to march overland
through the Darien mount aims and into
Panama territory, making for the nearest
arm of San Miguel Bay, Gen. Reyes, the
Colombian envoy here, who is commander
in-chief of the national army, has directed
his troops not to invade the Isthmus until
further orders from him.
The officer whose name was garbled in
Admiral Coghlan's despatch is undoubtedly
Gen. Ortiz, second in command to Gen.
Reyes, and the present acting Commander
in-Chief of The Colombian Army.
Beyond designating certain infantry regi-
ments and artillery for Isthmian service
and arranging for their quick transpor-
tation to Colon should they be desir ed to
safeguard the Panama Republic and di-
recting the organization OF another bat
talon of marines for the lsthmus, the
War and Navy departments have taken
no action with regard to the presence OF
Colombian forces near the Panama border
NICARAGUA APPOINTS CONSUL TO PANAMA.
In telegram to the State Department,
United States Minister Merry says that
the Government of Nicaragua has recog-
nized the Republic of Panama by appoint
ing a Consul at Panama City. This is the
first recognition of the republic by Cen
tral American nation
The cruiser Olympia sailed from Nor
folk for Colon this morning. Upon her
arrival at Colon Rear Admiral Coghlan,
now there on the Mayfower, will shift his
flag to her.
PRESIDENT UPHOLDS LOOMS.