Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-04


that such interference must cease and
that the United States will prevent the
interruption of traffic upon the railroad
Consult with captain of the Iowa, who
will be instructed to land marines, If
necessary, for the protection of the rail-
road. in accordance with the treaty rights
and obligations of the United States. De-
sirable to avoid bloodshed, If possible.
The next three kilograms are from and
to the Secretary of the Navy:
September II, 1902.
RANGER, Panama:
United States guarantees perfect neutral
ity of Isthmus and that a free transit from
sea to sea be not interrupted or embar
raised. Any transportation of
troops which might contravene these pro-
by you nor should use of road be permitted
which might convert the line of transit into
theater of hostility. MOODY.
COLON, September 20. 1sO2
SECRETARY NAVY, Washington:
Everything is conceded. The United
States guards and guarantees traffic and
the line of transit. To-day permitted the
exchange of Colombian troops from .Pana-
ma to Colon, about 1000 men each way,
the troops without arms in train guarded
by American naval force in the same man.
ner as other passengers; arms and ammu-
milton in separate train, guarded also by
naval force in the same manner as other
freight. MCLEAN.
PANAMA, October 8. 1892
SECRETARY NAVY,
Washington, D. c.:
Have sent this communication to the
American consul at Panama.
Inform governor while trains running
under United States protection l must de-
cline transportation any combatantS, am
munition. arms. which might cause inter
ruption traffic or convert line of transit
into theater hostilities." CASEY.
Messages Sent and Received.
On November Commander Hubbard re-
sponded to the above-quoted telegram of
November 2. 1903 saying that before the
telegram had been received 400 Colombian
troops from Cartagena had landed al Colon;
that there had been no revolution on the
critical If the revolutionary leaders should
act On this same date the Associated
Press in Washington received bulletin
occurred. When this was brought to the
State Mr.. LOOMS. he prepared the follow
ing 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 however,
one was received from Consul Malmros at
Colon. running as follows:
Revolution imminent. Government force
on the Isthmus about 500 men. Their Of
fetal promised support revolution. Fire de-
partment, Panama, AL, are well organized
and favor revolution. Government vessel
Cartagena, with about 400 men, arrived
early today with new commander In chief,
Tobar. Was not expected until November
TO- Tobars arrival is not probable to stop
revolution.
This cablegram was received at 2:35 D. m,
and at $40 pm Mr. Leomis sent the tele-
gram which he had already prepared to
both Panama and Colon. Apparently, how
ever, the consul general at Panama had not
received the information embodied in the
Associated Press bulletin, upon which the
Assistant Secretary of State based his dis
patch; for his answer was that there was
no uprising, although the situation was
critical, this answer being received at 8:15
pm Immediately afterwards he sent
another dispatch. which was received at
$50 pm, 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. Meanwhile, on Novem-
Der 4, Commander Hubbard notified the de-
partment that he had landed force TO pro-
tect the lives and property of American cti-
zens against the threats OF the Colombian
soldiery.
Colombia's Act of War.
Before any step whatever had been taken
by the United States troops to restore order,
hn go Lo
bian troops had INDUCED in wanton and
violent threats against American citizens,
which created serious apprehension. AS
Commander Hubbard reported in his letter
of November 8, this officer and his troops
practically began war against the United
States. and only the forbearance and cool
ness of our officers and men prevented
bloodshed. The letter of Commander Hub
bard is of such interest that it deserves
quotation in full, and runs as follows
U. S. NASHVILLE. THIRD RATE,
Colon, U. S. Colombia,
November g. 1903.
Sir:kPending complete report of the Oc-
currences of the last three days in Colon,
Colombia, most respectfully invite the De-
partnents attention to those of the da te of
Wednesday, November 4. which amounted
to practically the making of war against
the United States by the officer in COM
mand of the Colombian troops in Coon. AT
] o'clock pm. on that date Il was sum-
moned on shore by a preconcerted slgral,
and on landing met the United States con-
sui. vice consul and Colonel Shaler, the
general superintendent of the Panama
Railroad. The consul Informed me that he
had received notice from the officer com
handing the Colombian troops Colonel
Torres, through the project of Colon. to The
effect that If the Colombian o ficers. Gems
Tobal and Amaya. who had = en- seized in
Panama on the evening OF the 3 / of November
by the Independents and held as prisoners
were not released by 2 o'clock pm he.
Torres, would open fire on the town OF
Colon and kill every United States citizen
in the place. and my advice and action
were requested. / advised that all the
United States citizens should take re @uge
in the shed of the Panama Railroad Com
pany, a stone building susceptible of being
put into good state for defense and that
would Immediately land such body of men
with extra arms for arming the citizens
as the complement of the ship would per-
nit. This was agreed to and Immediately
returned on board. arriv ng at 1:15 pm The
order for landing was Immediately given
and at 20 pm. the boats left the shiE
with a party of ~ men under the comm nd
of Lieut.. Commander H. NJ. Witzel with
Midshipnan ]. Z. Jackson as second in
command. Time being pressing l gave YER
bal orders to Mr.. WitZel to take the build
ing above referred to. to put 1t into the