The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-12-25
WITH. A CHIP.
ON SHOULDER
UNCLE SAM, WATCHES CO.
LOMBiA.
Waiting for First Blow to
be StruCkm
DISCRETIONARY POWERS

Siven 10 rear Runiral Co8hlan-On0er
Certain Circumstances He May Blow
Colombia Warship Out of the Water
Even Before II Has Fired Shot-Un-
usual Activity.
Washington, d. c., Dec. 22--Al-
though the United States government
has ordered that Colombia shall strike
the first blow If conflict is to be
forced over the Panama situation, GER
tain discretionary powers have been
given Rear Admiral Coghlan, in COM
nland of the naval operations in those
waters.
A defensive attitude does not mean
timidty or hesitancy, tits unoftlcially
announced here, and 1t is said that IL
contingency warrants, Rear Admiral
Coghlan would be justified under his
orders and sustained in his action, IL
he blew a Colombian warship out of
the water before 1t had fired a shot
1t Is plainly stated here that while
the United States hopes for peaceful
adjustment of the differences between
the governments of Colombia and Pen
ana. there is to be no half way dealing
On the part of this government with
the Colombian government, IL Ii should
push its opposition to Panama to the
point of conflict. 1t is held here that
anything less than prompt, swift and
effective punishment would be unmerci-
full. There is to be no unnecessary ex-
posure or sacrifice of the officers and
men Of the American navy under the
false belief that Colombian soldiers
must not be killed.
II Colombia strikes the first blow,
or forces such action from the Unitod
States, it is known here that she will
be treated as Spain was treated---to be
brought to absolute terms and then
given the very best treatment that
American patriotism and unselfishness
can arrange. .r."
With fifteen warships at the isthwps
or on their way there, and about 3,USO
marines and seamen who would be
available for conflict on short notice,
the United States is we'll prepared to
meot any emergency.
Naval officers who are familiar with
the northern coast of the isthmus say
that the island of Pines is admirably
| adapted for use as a military base by
Colombian troops. 1t Is of yolcaiic
formation, mountainous, we'll wooded,
and amply supplied with pure weter.
| Lying close to the mainland, from
\ which only one or two miles of shall
low water separate 1t, the Coiombians
would be safe from complete blockade,
| and in position to slip to the 18TH
\ mus under the cover of darkness.
That important steps are to be talk.
en- by the Colombian officials here In
the next few days In presenting their
grievances to this government. is in
dicated by their unusual activity, and
by the return to the city of General
George Holguin, one Of General Reyes
chief councillors, who went to New
York recently to consult Colombian
officials there General Reyes is re-
ported to be impatient at the delays
which the preparation of the Colom-
bian protest has entailed, and recent
dispatches announcing that ColoIa-
bian troops are on the move, in spits
OF his orders, as we'll as concentration
Of troops on the isthmus by this gov
ernment have cC.sed him much anx-
iety.
The fact that General Reyes was re-
Gently elected president of Colombia,
taking office on August Z, indicates the
confidence which the Colombian people
have In him and on his return he will
take a leading part in guiding the pol
Icy Of his country in the negotiations.
The Colombian Officials here express
themselves as confident that Panama
will have to share the debt of Colon.
bia.