The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-12
RunOred That Troops Gave Up
 March on Panama
THE PORTS ARE AGAIN OPEN
It Is Decided to Deal With the United States In Diplomatic Way Con- corning the Secession
 of Panama.

Colon, December 1.-The French steam CT Fournel arrived here today from Sava- nilla and Cartagena. She was the first vessel to reach this port since the de- cree closing the ports to vessels to and from Colon was cancelled The Fournel brought passengers and mails. The au- thorities of the department of Bolivia are still unreconciled to the loss of the isth- mus which they do not regard as hope less, as they issued clearance papers not for the Republic of Panama but for the Colon department De Panama"
 A decree signed by Governor Insigna- res, dated Cartagena, December ?, says:
 By virtue of instructions received by way of Port Limon from his excellency, the commander -in-chief of the army of the Atlantic and the Pacific, it has been resolved to give preference to diplomatic methods in dealing with the government of the United States in regard to the ef- forts made to defend our sovereignty and national integrity, disminished by the se- cession of Panama.
 May Travel Freely.
 Therefore, the causes which determin- ed this government to adopt measures to prevent communication with the rebel de- pertinent having ceased 1t is now pro- posed that all citizens may travel freely, without the obligation of obtaining pass ports and it becomes incumbent on the civil and military authorities to give all the necessary guarantees to those entitled to the same"
 The Fournel reports that the Colom- bian cruisers General Pinson and Carta- gena are at Cartagena.
 The Fournels agent has received no n Inf faf hp mn nf bian troops on the Atrato river, but a passenger on the Fournel informed the correspondent of the Associated Press that a rumor was current at Cartagena that the cruiser Cartagena, about ten days ago, embarked at night over 1000 troops, bound for the Gulf of Darien, with the object of constructing a road to Caucua. The name of the commander of the expedition and the facilities for carrying out his purpose are not known. but his task Is regarded at Cartagena as being hopelessly impossible.
 The Panama government officials here placed a squad of soldiers on guard at the dock to prevent the Colomblans egress from the ship. Among the Colom- bians were many persons recently ex- pelled from Colon.
 Troops Become Discou aged.
 "I have just learned officially through passengers or lDe GOuIHtl ilial tiiC Oo- lombian warships Generals Pinzon and Cartagena left Cartagena at the begin ming of December, having on board the same 450 troops which General Tover brought to Colon. These were landed at the Rio Atrate with instructions to build a road towards Panama. But after terri ble suffering for four days in their efforts to go up the river in small boats and ca noes. and being in want of provisions of all kinds, their supplies having been soak ed with water and completely spoiled the troops resolved not to go any further. The passengers also affirm the troopers story.
 News has been received here from the interior to the effect that 400o Colombian troops left Bogota a fortnight ago to go down to Magdalena river, but on reaching Honda they received orders countermand- ing the movement and returned to Bogota December 2
 It is believed that General Reyes is re- sponsible for the countermanding of the order.