Evening star., 1903-12-23


from President Marroquin and from infiu-
enttal Colombians have caused him to
hasten his work. and it Is his present inten-
tion to return to Colombia and assume per-
sonal command of the army as soon as he
has filed his note. In Colombian quarters
1t Is pointed out that unless Gen. Reyes
soon returns the war party in Bogota may
gain the upper hand and his hitherto pre-
dominant influence there will be seriously
injured.
Colombian Military Expedition.
The following cable from Admiral Cogh-
Ian was received by the Navy Department
this morning:
'Mayf1ower reports met with Pinzon car
rying 800 men and munitions bound for
base Ttumati COGHLAN."
Official maps Of the Navy Department do
not show any place by the name of Titu-
matt. The supposition is that the point re-
ferred to is Tumate, a group of three is
lands lying half a mile from the Colom-
bian coast. in the gulf of Darien, and
about thirty miles southeast of Cape tt
buron. The whole of the coast between
these two points is high, bold and clear of
danger. but it is very wild in the season of
breezes. The Tumate Islands being part
Of Colombian territory, the department Is
without any power to act beyond observ-
ing the movements Of this detachment Of
Colombian troops. The situation at the Is
land of Pines, however, Is quite different,
as that island is within Panaman terri
tory. 1t is probable that the eighty or
more Colombians who were landed on the
island will be notified by United States ma
val officers, in the interests of peace, that
they will not be permitted to remain there.
Conditions on the Isthmus.
Rear Admiral John g. Walker. retired,
called upon Acting Secretary Of State
Loomis today and explained conditions on
the isthmus when he left there week ago.
his conclusions being that these were very
satisfactory. The admiral had a double
mission-nrst to look into the condition of
the plant and properties of the Panama
Canal Company and the exact amount Of
work so far accomplished by the engineers
who are operating under the agreement
made last spring between the United States
government and the Panama Canal Com
pany. A good deal has been done in
quiet way toward clearing cut the plans of
the original French projectors of the canal
as modified by what has now come to be
known as the Walker canal commission, of
which Rear Admiral Walker is president.
The purpose. 1t is explained, was not to
anticipate action by the United States Sen
ate upon the treaty, but in view of the
binding engagement which the government
had entered into with the Panama Canal
Company to take over its property at a
fixed price, 1t was believed to be absolutely
necessary in order to prevent an enormous
loss Of plant and work already accom-
plished. to provide for continuance in a
small way Of that work. So that has been
in progress under the observant eye of Col.
Black, United States engineers. Admiral
Walker, as the head of the commission,
wished to satisfy himself as to what had
been done
to the isthmus was to serve as the repre-
sentative of the President from a political
point of view and while on the isthmus he
kept the chief executive fully advised by
20 ,Tanr 10
and interesting developments there day by
day. Consequently there was little for the
admiral to add to his preceding reports be-
yond mere details.
Instructions Remain Unchanged.
At the Navy Department the statement
Is made that the instructions to the naval
commanders in isthmian waters to ''pre-
vent the landing Of forces with hostile in
tent have not been modified. These In
structions, 1t is believed, are sufficiently
comprehensive to enable the commanders
to maintain open transit across the 18TH
mus and to protect the new republic from
Colombian expeditions.
What Admiral Walker Reports.
1.-THE Panama government" he said, SIS
composed of excellent. capable mon who
have the confidence of the people. Every
thing is orderly and quiet and had I not
known that revolution had taken place
before arrived there was nothing to show
there had been any change. The only thing
that was apparent was the fact that could
not get as much silver for American dol
lar as had on previous trips to that coun-
try. The government officials express con-
fdence that the coming constitutional con-
vention will indorse the ratification Of the
Panama canal treaty."
The admiral said the isthmans have no
fear that the Colombians will attempt to
reconquer the country. There Is not. he
said. trail In all Panama of sufficient
never built trail or constructed a bridge
in Panama. The impassability Of the coun-
try renders 1t unlikely. in the admirars
opinion. that any warlike measures will be
'"The end of the rainy season in Panama
is now approaching" said Admiral Walker.
and the weather 10 hot However. I did
not see or hear OF q case of fever of any
does appear in Panama. but the inhab-
itants Insist always that 1t il imported
when 1t does make Its appearance"
Colombians Leave the City.
Gen. Jorge Holguin. one of the party OF
who came to Washington In an
advisory capacity with Gen. Reyes. left
here yesterday for New York. l. is un-
likely that he will return here for the pres
ent. at least. as he contemplates going to
London to visit q married daughter
Cen. Ospina, who came to Washington
with Gen. Reyes as his legal adviser. has
also gone to New York for a brief visit
European Ambassadors view.
Refusal by the United States to consent
to 4 proposition from Colombia for a refer
ence OF the Panama question to The Hague
tribunal il expected and win be fully ap-
proved by the European powers"