Evening star., 1903-11-09
REPORTED MASSACRES
Of Americans and Other For
eigners at Bogota.
RUMORS UNCONFIRMED
COLOMBIA APPOINTS A PEACE
COMMISSIONER.
Italy Recognizes Panama Government
Mexico Will Accept the
Situation.

A cablegram from Colon last night says:
| Wild rumors are in circulation here that
the American and other foreign residents
| Of Bogota are being massacred The ru-
mors are not confirmed and are looked upon
| as altogether improbable.
| Up till tonight no news has been received
| from Bocas del Toro. The United States
| cruiser Atlanta sailed for there last night.
| The steam launch which, was sent to BOcas
| del Toro Thursday night to capture that
place In the interest of the new republic
| has not returned. 1t is reported that the
| United States gunboat Nashville has gone
| to Cartagena.
Colon gave itself up entirely last night to
| popular demonstrations. Bands Of music
| paraded the streets until early this morn
| Ing, playing national and American airs,
| stopping in front Of the residences of Col
| onel Shaler, Governor Melendez and others.
| The greatest enthusiasm prevailed and
there was not the slightest disorder.
Colombia Sues Tor Peace.
cablegram has been received here from
General Reyes, containing the information
| that he has been appointed by the govern
ment Of Colombia as peace commissioner,
with the duty Of making arrangements with
the government of the republic of Panama
| to the end that the national honor may be
saved.
Everything in Panama is quiet today. but
the circulation Of the news of the appoint
| ment of General Reyes resulted in enthu-
siastic celebrations, not only because the
general has many friends here, but for the
| reason that his mission is looked upon as
assuring the independence of the isthmian
territory.
The steamships Manavi and Quito have
been detained at Buena Ventura by the Co
lombian government. The United States
cruiser Boston was to have sailed today
for the purpose of protecting British inter-
ests, but 1t is thought that the news Of the
appointment of General Reyes may change
her plans.
Italy Recognizes Panama.
A cablegram from Rome last night says:
Italy has recognized the new republic of
Panama, and thereby repaid Colombia for
old scores.
The formation Of the new republic OF
Panama and the recognition by the United
States of the de faeto government is looked
upon with satisfaction all over Italy. Old
disputes between Italy and Colombia have
never been settled, as the latter always
succeeded in eluding its obligations to the
Italian government.
On one occasion President Cleveland was
called upon to act as arbitrator In these
disputes and he gave verdict entirely fav-
orable to Italy. The Colombian govern
ment and the congress, however, refused
to accept the decision on the ground that
President Cleveland had evidently been Ill
advised.
Italy has, therefore, hastened to recog-
'nize the new republic in the hope of con-
tributing to the establishment Of order in
Central America and of Fastening the
building of the Panama canal.
United States Ambassador Meyer, while
visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs Tittoni,
had an informal conversation with the min
lister on the subject of Panama.
Mexico Will Accept Situation.
A New York Herald cablegram from the
City of Mexico last night says:
Government officials refuse absolutely to
be quoted on the Panama affair. From re-
liable sources, however, it can be stated
that the government is not pleased with
the prospect of the United States gaining
"a foothold south of Mexico.
Colombia is blamed for not accepting the
canal treaty, and it is believed here that
the United States has called Bogota's bluff.
In case the new republic be firmly estab-
lished, it is stated that Mexico will accept
the situation without comment.
Upholds Mr.. Hay.
The New York Herald today prints the
following special from Newport, r. l..
Mr.. Sidney Webster, in speaking of Sec
retary Hays exposition of American rights
on the Isthmus of Panama today, said that
he saw great deal of politics in the events
of last week. but no reason to question the
soundness of Mr.. Hays propositions.
THE presumption should be- he said,
that whatever the State Department has
done in foreign affairs or in the execution
of treaties has been rightly done. Mr..
Hays individual opinion, If not head Of the
department., might not be superior to that
OF other outside experts. but the depart
ment has knowledge of all precedents, and
If permitted to form It's own conclusions is
not likely to blunder. Mr.. Hay has all
along shown himself a wise and capable
minister of foreign affairs"
Mr.. Webster said that the questions thus
far presented had been those of the treaty
right, and only secondary were they ques-
tions under the laws Of nations.
Treaty of 1s46.
"The treaty of 1s46 was plain enough in
language" he said, ''or, If not so, the treaty
has been made unambiguous by practice !
and usage under 1t during half century. |
New Grenada stipulated that. IL the United |
States would maintain the perfect neu-
trality Of the isthmus with view to free |
transit from sea to sea, and also maintain |
the sovereignty Of New Grenada over the |
isthmian territory, New Grenada would |
guarantee to the United States freedom Of |
transit and right of way for their citizens |
and property.
PERHAPS, If the United States had made |
similar treaty with England regarding |
free transit the Hudson river and the |
Erie canal from the ocean to the lake, |
Great Britain would have been expected to |
rely on payment of pecuniary damages II |
the United States failed In It's guarantee, |
and not to police the river and canal with 1
British troops. But Grenada and Colombia
have repeatedly asked the United States to
do police duty.
Perfect Freedom Of Railway.
Indeed, the United States has been fire.
quently constrained to refuse invasion OF |
Colombian sovereignty when solicited in |
order to guarantee neutrality in mere do
mestic strife. What the United States
wished above all, and was entitled to have,
was the perfect freedom and sovereignty
of the railway, its servants, passengers and
freight
IF 1t shall be said that a treaty right in
the United States to police the railway may