The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-04


surgenty at any point within so miles of
Panama Government force reported APP
preaching the isthmus in vessels. Prevent
their landing If. in your Judgment, the
landing would precipitate conflict
Established Policy Pursued.
These orders were delivered in pur-
suance of the policy on which our gov
eminent had repeatedly acted. This
policy was exhibited in the following
orders given under somewhat similar
circumstances last year, and the year
before, and the year before that The
first two kilograms are from the de-
partment Of state to the consul at Pan
anna:
July %, 1900.
You are directed to protest against any
act of hostility which may involve or in.-
persons or property across the Isthmus OF
Panama. The bOmbardment of Panama
would have this effect and the United
States must insist upon the neutrality of
November 20. 1901.
Notify all persons molesting or inter-
fering with free transit across the 18TH
mus that such interference must cease
and that the United States will prevent
road. Consult with captain of the Iowa,
who will be instructed to land marines,
railroad, in accordance with the treaty
rights and obligations of the United
possible.
The next three kilograms are from
and to the secretary of the navy:
September IL, 1902
United States guarantees perfect neu-
trality of isthmus and that a free tran
sit from sea to sea be not interrupted or
ton of troops which might contravene
these provisions of treaty should not be
sanctioned by you nor should use of read
be permitted which might convert the
line of transit into theater of hosflllty
MOODY,
T&oIov 1902
Secretary Navy, Washington:
Everything is conceded. The Unlted
the line of transit. Today I permitted
the exchange of Colombian troops from
Panama to Colon. about loo men each
guarded by American naval force in the
same manner as other passengers arms
and ammunition in separate train, guard
ner as other freight MLEAN.
Panama, October g. 1902.
Secretary Navy, Washington, D. C.:
Have sent this communication to the
American consul at Panama;
under United States protection l must
decline transportation any combatants-
terruption traffic or convert line of tram
7-' -i''' '--e'''0- '''-'N CASEY
On November 8 Commander Hubbard
responded to the above quoted telegram
of November 2, 1903, saying that before
the telegram had been received 400
Colombian troops from Cartagena had
landed at Colon; that there had been
no revolution on the Isthmus, but that
the situation was most critical If the
revolutionary leaders should act. On
this same date the Associated Press in
Washington received a bulletin stating
that a revolutionary outbreak had oc-
Cured When this was brought to the
attention of the assistant secretary of
state, Mr.. Loomis, he prepared the fol-
lowing cablegram to the consul general
at Panama and the consul at Colon:
Uprising on isthmus reported. Keep de-
partment promptly and fully informed.
Before this telegram was sent, how
ever, one was received from Consul
Malmhos at Colon, running as follows:
Revolution imminent. Government force
on the isthmus about 500 men. Their
Isofficial promised support revolution. FIRE
department, Panama, AL, are well organ
lied and favor revolution Government
vessel Cartagena with about 400 men ar
rived early today with new commander
in chief. Tobar. Was not expected until
November 10. Tobar's arrival is not
probable to stop revolution
This cablegram was received at 2:35
p. M, and at $40 p. m. Mr.. LOOMS sent
the telegram which he had already pre-
pared to both Panama and Colon. APP
parently, however, the consul general at
Panama had not received the informa-
ton embodied in the Associated Press
bulletin, upon which the assistant secre-
tary of state based his dispatch; for his
answer was that there was no uprising,
although the situation was critical, this
answer being received at S:15 p. m. I'm
mediately afterwards he sent another
dispatch. which was received at $50 p.
M, saying that the uprising had oc-
Cured, and had been successful with
no bloodshed. The Colombian gunboat
Bogota next day began to shell the city
of Panama, with the result of killing
one Chinaman. The consul general was
directed to notify her to stop firing.
Toar1 on NOWpv79haT 4 Com nd
Hubbard notified the department that
he had landed a force to protect the
lives and property Of American citizens
against the threats of the Colombian
soldiery.
Colombians Made Threats
Before any step whatever had been
taken by the United States troops to re-
store order, the commander of the newly
landed Colombian troops had INDUCED
in Wanton and violent threats against
American citizens, which created seri-
Gus apprehension. AS Commander Hub
bard reported in his letter of November
s. this officer and his troops practically
began war against the United States,
and only for the forbearance and cool
ness of our officers and men prevented
bloodshed The letter of Commander
Hubbard is of such interest that it de-
serves quotation in full and runs as
follows:
~. S. S Nashville. Third Rate,
colon, Z. S. Colombia, Nov 5, 1908.
"Sir: Pending a complete report of
the occurrences of the last three days
in Colon. Colombia, most respectfully
invite the departments attention to
those of the date of Wednesday. No
vember 4, which amounted to practical
~ the making of war against the
United States by the officer in COM
mand of the Colombian troops in Colon.
At l o'clock .. m. on that date I was
summoned on shore by a preconcerted
signal, and on landing met the United
States consul. vice consul. and Colonel
Shaler the general superintendent of
the Panama railroad. The consul in
formed me that he had received notice
from the officer commanding the Co
lombian troops, Colonel Torres, through
the project of Colon, to the effect that
if the Colombian officers, Generals To
] bal and AnaVa. who had been seized in