The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-10
[TIAsHINGTON. D. 80 EIsrrar.

= 3 = = = y >
TTIAsHINGTON. Dec. 9.-Dr. ,Herran.
w the Colombian charge damaires.
today authorized the statement
thaL IL troops from Cartagena have
1anded near the mouth of Atrato river
as reported by the French steamer
which has arrived at La Guayra. IL is
directly in opposition to the advices of
Doth himself and General REYES.
General Reyes stated that the La
Huayra dispatch was the first informa-
lion ne had received of the reported
movement Of the Colombian troops. He
declared, however. that If il is true. as
stated, that such movement has taken
place, IT was without any orders from
HlIn- Upon coming to Washington as
me special representative of the Co1or,
blan government, General REYES tenn
poIaflly relinquished the command Of
tHe colombian army. the duties falling
upon General Castro, second in com
Against Reyes Order.
General Reyes confirmed the state
1Heht recently made by Admiral Coyh-
IAN IN report to the navy department
thaJ prior 10 his departure for WASH
1hsJon ne gave instructions to the CO.
iornnlan troops to make no hostile dem
oHStfauon until he was heard from
aHd sald that these troops were now
awaiting orders which. however. yyotiIJ
not come from him direct but FROM,
me government at Bogota Asked as
70 lhe probable length of his STAY i'm the
United States. ne replied that IL was
lH9ennlte- He would. he said. hold an
otHSt conference with Secretary Hay
IN the course Of the next few DAYS.
Inc general hu rr,rr
by the president himself as to the in
1snuons Of the government of the
~ Alted states respecting the isthmus
re was told by the president that 4s
was set out i'm the presidents message
70 congress, the United States had de-
1ermined to maintain the Independence
or the new republic Of Panama against
all Corners.
Might Makes Right.
While this guarantee is contained in
q treaty now pending before the United
States senate and as vet 11nratife5
me administration has for some time
past Deen acting upon the theory that
lne treaty is IN full force. Therefore
an necessary preparations have been
mace 20 exert whatever physical force
may be necessary to protect the 18th
lhlan transit. And instead of confn-
ing the military and naval opera tions
10 the narrow strip of the right of way
across the isthmUs, il has been decid-
60 that sound military policy REQUIRES
the extension of the protected zone to
1hclude the entire territory Of the re-
public Of Panama. Consequently. no
colombian troops will be allowed to
cross the. frontier TO Panama. or If
tney cross, they viii be elected in due
1ime.
Naval Instructions.
= The policy Of the navy department
with respect to the entry OF Colombian
troops into Panama was said TODAY to
ne TO prevent conflict before it com
menced- To this end. having I'm rnir5
previous experiences on the istbDus
The naval commanders in those waters
nave been given instructions To keen
the Colombian troops at a greater dis
lance from the isthmus at points where
9 fight with the Panaman troops is
Hkely 10 occur. In all naval operations.
II may be stated on authority. the de-
partment is still guided by the treaty q
or 1886 under which the United States
guaranteed to keep transit across the
isthmus open.
A broader Interpretation Of the duties
and responsibilities Of the government
1n this respect has now been given to
ms treaty. by which the protection of
the United States win not alone he
confined 20 the canal strip, but to any
part Of the territory Of Panama where
au opportunity is afforded COLOMBIAN
troops TO encounter those of Panama
and thereby. temporarily az least. end
ing free and unObstructed traffic across
the isthmUs. I'm this indirect way the
United States is carrying out its
pledges TO protect the Independence of
1he new republic Of Panama pending
The ratification OF the Hay-Bunau va
Tilla treaty, now before the senate.
Troops in Readiness
when seen today Lieutenant General
Young, chief of stan. authorized the
. statement 60 be made that the war de-
partment was ready TO dispatch troops
. 70 the isthmus on short notice should
their presence De demanded.
Although the statement heretofore
has been. denied, it is learned that the !
department has taken notice of the
repeated reports that Colombian troops
were assembling at different points
with the avOwed purpose Of making "a (
hostile demonstration against Panama 1
and has perfected all military plans TO
Tepel such an invasion.
General Young said that should nc
be cabled upon to assist the navy il !
would not be necessary TO send 20 the
isthmus more than a regiment or two
Although none Of the members of the 4
Joint army and navy board which mer
today. would admit that the isthmian /
situation was under discussion. III fs /
known that such was the case and that !
both the army and the navy are now
pm state Of preparedness for any con-
fict with Colombia which might arise /
10 is probable that the Dixie viii DE- or
6cred from Guantanamo To- Colon Snt
has GRO marines ON board.