The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-09

Commander of Colombian Army
Knows of Mo Hostile Movement.

Washington, Dec. 9.-Dr. Herran, the
Colombian charge d'affaires. today au-
thorized the statement that IL troops
from Cartagena- have landed near the
mouth of Atrota river, as reported by
the French steamer which has arrived
at La Guayra, it is directly in opposi-
tion to the adviceS of both himself and
General Reyes.
General Reyes stated that the La
Guayra dispatch was the first informa-
ton he had received of the reported
movement of the Colombian troops He
declared, however, that IL 1t is true, as
stated, that such movement has taken
place, 1t was without any orders from
him. Upon coming to Washington as
the special representative of the Colom-
bian government, General Reyes tenn
porarily relinquished the command of
the Colombian army, the duties falling
upon General Castro, second in COM
mand.
General Reyes confirmed the state
ment recently made by Admiral Cogh-
Ian in a report to the navy department
that prior to his departure for Wash
ington he gave instructions to the CO.
iombian troops to make no hostile dem
onstration until he was heard from and
said that these troops were now await
ing orders which, however, would not
come from him direct, but from the
government at Bogota.
Asked as to the probable length of his
stay in the United States, he replied
that it was indefinite. He would, he
said, hold another conference with Sec
retary Hay in the course of the next
few days.
The general has been fully informed
by the president himself as to the in
tentions' of the government of the Uni
ted States respecting the isthmus. He
was told by the president that as set
out in the presidents message to con-
gress, the United States had determin-
ed to maintain the independence of the
new republic of Panama against all
comers. While this guarantee is CON
tanned in a, treaty now pending before
the United States senate and as yet
unratified the administration has for
sometime past been acting upon the
theory that the understanding is in fuH
force. Therefore, all necessary prepara-
tions have been made to exert what
ever physical force may be necessary
to protect the isthnian transit. And,
instead of confining military and naval
operations to the narrow strip of the
right of way across the isthmus, it has
been decided that sound military policy
requires the extension of the protected
zone to include the entire territory
of the republic of Panama
Consequently, no Colombian troops
will be allowed to cross the frontier to
Panama; or, If they cross they will
be elected in due time.
News has reached Washington of the
reported movement of Colombian troops
towards the isthmus, but the reports
come in round about manner, throw
ing doubt on their reliability The
point of the gulf of Darien where the
Colombian troops are reported to have
landed is believed to be just about on
the dividing line between the territory
of Panama and Colombia and it is pro-
bable the troops will not cross the bor-
der without instruction from Bogota
which in turn viii depend on the re-
ports made to the Colombian govern
ment by General Reyes and by the two
commissioners, Jirninez and Blanco
who left Washington two days ago on
their way to Cartagena- A current re-
port is to the effect that Colombian ma
val vessels are participating in the
movement toward the isthmus, but 1t
is said at the navy department that
they are so insignificant in power and
size that the smallest of the warships
on the east side of the isthmus could
speedily terminate their activity