New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-21
VAR VAS NE4R At COLON.
Colombians Threatened to Shell City
and Kill Americans.
rrRou rnr rnIpuNE pUKEAu.l

washington, Nov. 20-The close proximity to
war with Colombia in which this country was
placed as result Of the Panama revolution be-
came known to-day. when the reports of Com
rnander John Hubbard. of the Nashville. were
made public.
Under date of November Commander Hub
hard invites attention to the occurrences OF
wednesday November g. which he says
amounted practically TO the making OF war
against tie United States by the officer in COM
,nand OF the Colombian troops in Colon" He
then saws that on the afternoon OF that day the
consul al Colon Informed him that he had re-
ceiveo notice from The officer commanding the
Colombian troops. Colonel Torres, through the
Trefect OF Colon to the effect that If the Colon
bian officers. Generals Tobal and Amaya, who
had been seized in Panama on November . by
rne independents and hello prisoners, were not
released by D. m he CTorres) would open lire
on the town OF Colon and kill every United
States citizen in the place. Commander Huo-
bsrd's advice and action were requested. he
advised sbat al United States citizens should
take refuge in the shed Of the Panama hallroao
Company. and said he would Immediately laho
: body Of men, with such extra arms for cltl-
zens as the complement Of the ship would per
init. This was agreed 20, and at 1-oO O'Clock a
party OF forty-two men, under command OF
Lieutenant Commander witzel landed from the
ferred 70. put il into the best state OF defence
,,oSsble and protect the lives of the citizens as
serobles there hut rot TO fire unless fired upon.
The report adds:
The women and children took refuge on the Ser, Ser
nan srean oer Earkornannla and the Panama kan
road steamer City q ashlgtel; ooA RE ~ Nssb
VILE I got under way and patroneo win her a1l.s
sToan arms or shrapnel ire. The Colombians sur
rounded the building Of the railroad coInpaIlN al
most immediately afue~ had taken possession
and for about one and half hours their ATTITUDE
vas most taTS zo 5 s1tac cS Hsppy. our men
were cool and steady and. while the tension was
AZ sbout SI5 ?. m. Colonel Torres came into the
affatr was a miss apprehension and that he would
anoe OF the show Of force. A special tram "as
Colonel t9TJe ars =, Sfonse All If would with
eTaMlis n S-ss6Ia'g foTee and leave the town in
possession Of The police until the return OF tle
ed 9 95 ne G n1ed sat ee cos and Colonel
shsler as the probability Of good faiJh IN inc
brought my on board, the disparity IN num-
hers between ny force and Ihat OF me s siS
= conflict so long the object in view. The pro
sn os7iTe maj the determined attitude Of our
men their GOODNESS and evident Intention OF stand
srit5s1 sen IN the Intimate abandonment OF colon
BY these troops and their return TO Cartagena
! feel nat. csnnot sufficiently strongly repre-
sent 10 the department the grossuess Of this out
rage. and the insult 70 car dignity, even apart
from the saVagery Of the threat.
The Cartagena left Colon just after the threat
made by Colonel Torres to open fire On the town
and kin every United States citizen and Com
nander Hubbard says he did not deem il eX-
pedient TO attempt TO detain her, as such &C
ton IN the prevailing state Of affairs certainly
would have precipitated conflict on shore,
which he was not prepared 10 meet