Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1903-11-09
BOCOTA MAY FIGHT
Landing OF Colombian Troops
Will Be Stopped.
WASHINGTON TO KEEP TRANSIT OPEN
Battle Ship Maine and Mayff0wer
With Admiral CoEh1an and Com
sui General GudEer, Have
Sailed Foe Colon.


sui General Gudger, Have
Sailed For Colon.
WASHINGTON, Nov. g. - Will Co
lombia attempt to retake Panama de
spite the note in which she was told
that the president considered it his du.
ty to prevent a recurrence of civil
strife on the isthmus?
That Is the question which is being
asked most in Washington. Reports
that 1000 Colombian troops are march
ing overland to Panama are not be-
lieved by either the state or navy de-
partment nor Is it believed any troops
are en- route to the isthmus by sea.
1t can be stated on the highest au-
thority that If Colombia endeavors to
send troops to the isthmus by sea they
will be prevented from landing by the
American naval force. The roads to
the isthmus from the interior Of Co
lornbia are SO bad 1t is regarded as a
work of months to traverse the dis
lance.
The administration Is resolved to
keep the transit open. This cannot be
done If war is waged there. The east
est way to prevent war is to stop the
landing of hostile troops or to turn
them back at the border.
The battle ship Maine has been or
dered to Colon and has sailed from
Martha's Vineyard.
Bearing the name of her i'll fated pred
ecessor that went down In Havana,
the new Maine is one of the most pow
erful fighting machines in the Ameri-
- Soh&
knots, eleven inch armor and guns of
almost every inch from twelve down,
the big battle ship is counted on by the
government as most effective.
The presidents yacht, the Mayfower,
has sailed from the navy yard here for
Colon.
Admiral Coghlan, who has sailed
from Washington with Consul General
Gudger for Colon, has decided to re-
tain the Mayflower as his flagship while
at Colon until the arrival Of his per-
manent flagship, the Olympia, which
will follow him from Norfolk.
Mr.. Gudger, the United States con-
sui general at Panama, goes back to
assume full charge Of the American
consular affairs. The Mayhower is ex-
pacted to reach her destination in about
eight days. On his arrival at Panama
Mr.. Gudger will do business with the
new government at Panama. He has
full instructions from the secretary OF
state governing his dealings with the
new government. M. Philippe Bunau-
Varilla, whose appointment as diplo-
| matte agent Of the Panama republic
| has been announced and who has ar
rived here from New York, has spoken
with Assistant Secretary Loomis Of the
state department..
M. Philippe Bunau VaFilla was re-
ceived by Secretary Hay this morning
at the state department and duly receg-
nized as the minister plenipotentiary
and envoy extraordinary of the new re-
public of Panama to the United States.
After the presentation a long confer.
ence took place, at which plans for the
opening of immediate negotiations for
q canal treaty between the two govern
ments were discussed. The secretary
| invited the new minister to luncheon.
The presentation to the president Of M.
Vafifla has not yet been definitely ar
ranged, but a date probably will be
agreed on today.
When he called at the state depart
ment the new minister took occasion
to express through the secretary Of
state to the Washington government
the profound sense Of gratitude of the
new republic for all that this country
| has done in promptly extending to it
recognition and the offer of protection.
1t is learned in official circles that
the United States Of Colombia has
lodged protest with the state depart
ment against the action of the United
States in connection with the events
which have occurred on the isthmus of
Panama. The terms Of the protest
could not be ascertained, but 1t is
known that strong objection is made to
the attitude Of the United States in
general and against interpreta tons
| made by this government of the treaty
of 1876 between the United States of
America and the United States Of Co.
/ lombia. The state department has the
protest under serious consideration.
Other than admitting that such docu-
ment has been filed in the state depart
ment the officials there will say moth
ing about the matter.
Word has reached the navy depart
ment of the arrival of the United
States cruiser Boston at Panama.
Commander Diehl, in reporting her ar
rival, announced also the receipt Of in
structions from the navy department
which direct the keeping open of the
transit of the isthmus. He also said
that at this time the traffic was undis-
turbed.
PEACE COMMISSIONER.