The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-23
Admiral COghlan Reports Meet.
ing the PinZon
Carrying 800 Men and Munitions
of War.
EUROPE APPROVES.
Panama Affair Regarded as .
Closed Incident.
No Excuse for a Reference to
The Hague Tribunal.

Washington, Dec. 23.-The following
cablegram was received at the navy
department today from Rear Admiral
Coghlan, dated Colon:
''Mayfiower reports met with Pinzon
carrying 300 men and munitions bound
from base at Titumati."
Refusal by the United States to con-
sent to a proposition from Colombia
for a reference of the Panama ques-
ton to The Hague tribunal is expected
and will be fully approved by the Eu-
ropean powers
This statement was made to a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press by a
European ambassador of high rank and
influence. 1t has already been made in
substance, though in rather more diplo-
matte language, to General Rafael
Reyes, the Colombian minister, who is
expected in his forthcoming note to the
state department to suggest The Hague
tribunal as the proper place for the sets
tlement of the Isthmian problem.
Whether the knowledge that the refusal
of such a request so far from prejudice
ing the European powers against the
Washington government will call for
their emphatic endorsement, will cause
General Reyes to modify his note is not
certain. The ambassador quoted in ex-
planning the attitude of the European
powers, said:
Panama is a closed chapter in the
| history of nations, and The Hague
court is not the place for settled ques
tions, but for pending problems which
are referred to it with the full approval
/ of all parties interested. When Russia,
Germany and France recognized the in
! dependence of Panama, they set their
seal of approval on the prompt action
of the Washington government in
| pledging itself to guarantee and main
tain the independence of the republic
| it had previously recognized. Nations
can hardly be expected to settle ques-
tions of sovereignty or of national hon.
or at The Hague. Moreover, in my
4 opinion, it would not be within the
province of the Washington governments
| to grant such a. request from Colombia.
1t is to Panama. not to Washington
that Colombia should take such a pro-
position.
There is. however, a question be-
tween Colombia and Panama which,
: with all propriety, might be referred to
The Hague, and to which reference
the United States will scarcely offer
objection 1t is the question of the as
/ sumption by Panama of a part of the
! Colombian debt If General Reyes
1 should ask the United States to use its
good offices to haYe this matter brought
| before The Hague, Panama might
safely acquiesce in such a proposition.
The difficulty in making this request
recognize the independence of the new
republic. but this. must come sooner or
later
/ At the navy department the state
ment was made that the instructions
to the naval commanders in isthmian
waters to prevent the landing of
forces with hostile intent" have not
been modified. These instructions, it is
believed, are sufficiently comprehensive
to enable the commanders to maintain
open transit across the isthmus and to
protect the new republic from Colom-
bian expeditions
| NOT ON THE MAP.
| Washington, Dec. 23.-Ohicial maps
of the navy department do not show
| any place by the name of Titumati.
but the supposition is that the point
referred to is Tumate, a group Of three
| islands lying half a. mile from the
Colombian coast in the Gulf of Darien
and about 80 miles southeast of Cape
Tiburon. The Tumate islands being a
part Of Colombian territory, the de-
partment is without any power to act
beyond observing the movements Of
this detachment of Colombian troops.
The situation at the island of Pines,
however, is quite different, as that is
| land is within Panama territory and
| it is not to be expected that the 80 or
more Colombians who were lander
| there will be permitted to remain.