The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-12-24
CRISIS is NEARING
Colombia is Making Prepar-
alton for Hostile Action.
WILL BE GUERRILLA WAR
Commander cf Cruiser Atlanta Finds
a Camp Of the "Enemy" and Re-
ceives Cold Reception and
Orders to Vacate.

OfGcfS 10 VdCdSS.
A Washington special says: While
General Reyes is at the narlonal capi-
tai talking peace and assisting Wayne
MacVeagh in the preparation OF the
Colombian memorial to be presented
to this government, the republic OF
Colombia is taking active steps Tor an
attack upon Panama. This has been
known to the general staff or the ar
my for some days, for the general stan
has taken every possible Drecaution 10
keep itself fully advised OF all that IS
going on at Bogota and throughout the
Colombian territory; but not until re-
ports were received Thursday from
Captain Turner, Commanding the cruls-
er Atlanta, was it officially acknowl-
edged that however peaceful the talk
Of the new Colombian president, the
trend of events in his country is de-
cidedly warlike.
It will be recalled that some days
ago there cane a report from La
Guayra of an expedition bound for the
mouth of the Atrato river, which is
close to the border between Colombia
and Panama. Later it was announced
that the government had been inform
ed that this expedition had turned
back, and the Impression prevailed IN
Washington that it had never been
started. But Captain Turner's dis
patches to the navy department reveal
the fact that he has discovered that
expedition and that it is established
at what appears to be a permanent
camp which would be advantageable
as a base of supplies in case OF
movement upon Panama, when 1t be-
comes apparent that the Reyes mis-
sion is failure, which it certainly
will be, so far rs securing the return
of Panama to the mother country Is
concerned.
It is this condition Of affairs that
forms the basis for the warlike Irepa-
rations which have for some time
been under way. The general stan
through it's secret service department
is kept daily informed Of the progress
of events in Colombia. The feeling
throuhgout that country is intensely
bitter toward the United States.
OF course, Panama's tigh must. il
the administration program is not in
terfered with in some way, be our own.
President Roosevelt has determined
that the United States shall keep the
Colombians of Panama territory, ex-
tending the new government just the
same measure Of protection as IS
guaranteed in the treaty which he ae-
gotiated, but which has not yet been
perfected by the senate's ratification.
: Captain Turner's Report.
3 A special from Colon says: The
United States cruiser Atlanta, Com
mander William H Turner, returned
Wednesday night from the gull OF
Darien. She discovered. December Is.
a detachment of Colombian troops
numbering about 500 men, but accord
ing to their statements, totalling 1000
or 1000 men, at Titumani, on the
western side of the gulf, just north OF
the mouth Of the Atrato river. -
The commander of the Atlanta sent
ashore an officer, who conversed with
the Colombian commander. The lat
ter protested energetically against the
presence OF American warships in Co.
lombian waters, insomuch as war be-
tween Colombia and the United States
had not been declared, and politely re-
quested the Atlanta to leave the gulf
because it belonged to Colombia.
Commander Turner ignored the re-
quest and the Atlanta returned to Co.
lon to report to Rear Admiral Coghlan.