New-York tribune., 1903-11-07
COGHL4N TO COMM4ND.
Consul General Gudger to Take
Charge on Shore at Colon.
CRv The Associated Press )

(By The Associated PressN
Washington, Nov. 6.-Rear Admiral Coghlan,
commander in chief of the Caribbean Squadron.
has arrived here in response 20 a summons from
Rear Admiral Taylor, chief OF the Bureau of
Navigation. He conferred to-day with the Off
cials at the Navy Department He will receive
instructions from the President and on his ar
rival at Colon will assume command of the
American naval force on the Atlantic side Of
the isthmus Rear Admiral Glass. on his
rival at Panama will relieve the captain of
the Boston OF the command Of the naval force
there. Admiral Coghlans flagship. the Olympia
on which he intended TO sail for Guantanamo,
is now at the Norfolk Navy Yard undergoing
repairs. so the admiral decided to sail without
his flagship, and the Navy Department assigned
to his use the Presidents yacht the Mayfiower
which now lies at the Washington Navy Yard
Lieutenant Commander Gleaves, her command
er has been in consultation with Admiral Taylor
and Admiral Coghlan and is hurryng supplies
aboard his ship. She will sail OF Sunday. Ad-
miral Coghlan will probably arrive at Colon
about November 10, but he viii not be the rank
ing officer the isthmus. for Admiral Glass,
commanding the Pacific Squadron. is Admiral
Coghlan's senior. The Navy Department to-day
received a cable dispatch from Admiral Glass.
announcing the departure of the Marblehead.
the Concord and the Wyoming and the collier
Nero yesterday from Acapulco, Mexico. for
Panama. The squadron. is proceeding at full
speed
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT.
Under instructions which he will receive to-
morrow from the President Consul General
Gudger will leave here Sunday the May
flower for Colon, to assume charge of the con-
sulate there. His instructions will be of the
most minute character, although, Of course,
much Will be left to the discretion of Mr.. Gudger,
in whom the administration has the fullest con-
fidence On the arrival of the Mayfiower at
Colon, Mr. GUdger VIII make himself known at
once TO the de facto government, and the usual
formalties in such cases VIII be observed. He
viii do business directly with the republic of
Panama, which in its provisional form at pres
ent consists of an executive board, but which,
before his arrival, may easily take the form of
a permanent government
AS soon as Consul General Gudger returned to
his hotel from the State Department, where he
was for a long time in conference with Assist
ant Secretary Looms. he talked interestingly to
reporter OF the isthmian situation
Il not in the least surprised TO know that
the isthmus has declared its independence" he
said. Five months ago revolution was
foregone conclusion. as we all know. The 18th
milan people have conducted themselves in pa
thence. and with dignihed dellberation nave
awaited the adjournment Of the Colombian Con-
gress and the destruction of their last hope for
the ratification Of the Hay-Herran treaty be-
fore taking this apparently radical step Ihelr
reason for this action is the alleged refusal Of
the Bogota government to direct it's policy with
some regard to the isthmian peoples good
Striking proof of the stability of the govern
ment is seen in the personnel Of the executive
board which constitutes the provisional
government. They all three men Of the
strongest character, leaders in the isthmian
commercial world, and men who command the
undivided respect OF the natives as Wen . as ihe
foreign residents of the isthnus An interesting
coincidence is the fact that Frederico Boyd, one
Of the three consuls and the author of the mani
festo published yesterday is the Spanish and
Nicaraguan consul accredited to the government
OF Colombia. OF course II is not to be in
ferred from this that these governments knew
OF Mr. Bovd's connection with the revolution"
What of the sentiment OF the people of the
isthmus toward the United States?" Mr.. Gudger
was asked
FRIENDSHIP FOR THIS COUNTRY.
1T is extremely cordial and friendly" he
piled. They want independence annexation
anything that will insure the construction of
the Panama Canal and the consequent pros
perity Of the isthmus. They have the greatest
confidence in the people and the government
Of the United States. American capital is al
ready there to a large extent, and the people
are desirous OF cultvating closer trade relations
with the United States.
II you have ever been 10 South America you
have seen for yourself that the American flag is
respected and trusted the flag of no other
nation. and nowhere in South Central Amer
lea is this more true than the isthmus.
1 have not yet received my instructions. 1t
had been intended that my departure should not
be known until after ] had left but it seems that
that plan has been disarranged. Yes, I go
the MaShower or Sunday. My leave of absence
does not expire for e week but when 1 saw
the cable dispatches from the isthmus indicat-
ing the seriousness of the situation / at once
teegraphed the Secretary of State, saying /
should leave my house IN AsheviIle at once for
my post and would stop In Washington to-day
for a conference l am carrying the best wishes
Of the officials of the administra ton to the
yice-consul general Mr. Ehrman, who has con-
Quoted affairs in my absence to the entire salts
faction Of the Washington Government
What about Colombia Mr.. Gudger was
asked
1t would be improper for me TO say" he re-
piled. You must know. however. that IL is the
traditional policy Of the Washington govern
ment to recognize the de facto government
am Informed here that agents of the revolution
are not worried about any protest the Colom-
bian government may make. AS am an
American Official you must excuse me from dis
cussng the situation or from commenting I'm any
way on the policy Of the Washington govern
menL'