Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-01-08


pass by the question as to what assur-
ance we have that they would now keep
their pledge and not again refuse to
for, of course, l Will not for one moment
discuss the possibility of the United
States committing an act OF such base
ness as to abandon the new republic of
Panama.
''Third.-Flnally the congress definitely
settled where the canal was to be built.
1t was provided that A treaty should be
made for building the canal across the
isthmus of Panama; and II, after reason
able time, 1t proved impossible to. secure
such treaty, that then we should go to
Nicaragua. The treaty has been made:
for 1t needs no argument to show that
a canal across Panama and that whether
the republic granting the title was called
New New, Granada. coio,mbia or Panama ,; mat;
out, the question OF reasonable time did
not enter into the matter at. all. AL
though, az the months went by, It be-
Colombian congress would ratify the
treaty or take steps which would be
such action on their part did not vanish
until the congress closed at the end OF
October: and within three days there
broken out. Panama became an inde-
pendent state, and the control OF the ter
ritory necessary for building the canal
uunder which alone we could have gone
to Nicaragua thereby became impossible
Of fulfllment. II the pending treaty with
Panama should not be ratified by the
senate this would not alter the fact that
we could not 20 to Nicaragua The con-
gress has decided the route, and there is
The president says that after the
failure of the Colombian congress to
ernment would have to. go, to. the Nicer
aqua route, and that he had made the
original draft of his message to conr~ess
along that line. This was one of three
alternatives that confronted the govern
ment. Another was that the people of
Panama might take the protection of
and estnblisn a government competent
and willing 10 do its share In the con-
struction Of the camel This Is what oc-
Nicara guam route unnecessary. and. In
fact, impossible under the authority OF
the president vested in him by the
action of congress.
Report of Commander Hubbard.
The president emphatically denies that
this government had any hand in the
instigating of this revolution. He knew.
as all the world did, that such was inn
minent and the navy department TOOK
interests, but nothing further. He gives
copies OF the orders sent to commanding
officers of American warships, and their
various reports upon the situation. he
charges Colombia with virtually making
war upon the United States at Colon. and
quotes the report of Commander Hub
bard. of the Nashville, dated November
s. to sustain this charge. In this report
Commander Hubbard says, in part:
Pending a complete report of the oc-
currences of the last three days in Colon,
Colombia, 1 most respectfully invite the
departments attention to those of the
amounted to practically the making of
war against the United States by the
officer in command of the Colombian
troops in Colon. At one o'clock p. m. on
that date | was summoned on shore by
preconcerted signal, and on landing met
Col. Shaler. the general superintendent
OF the Panama railroad. The consul in
formed me that he had received notice
from the officer commanding the Colon
prefect of Colon, to the effect that II the
Colombian officers, Gems. Tobal and
on the evening OF the Sd of November by
the independents and held as prisoners,
were not released by two o'clock p, m.
he Torres, would open fre on the town
of Colon and kill every United States
citizen in the place, and my advice and
action were requested. l advised that all
refuge in the shed of the Panama Rail-
| road company, stone building suscept-
fense, and that l would Immediately land
such body of men, with extra arms for
arming the citizens, as the complement
agreed TO and l Immediately returned on
| board, arriving at Ills p. m. The order
| for landing was Immediately given, and
at ! 80 p. m. the boats left the ship with
| n party of ~ men under the command Of
| Lieut.. Commander H. NJ. Witzel. with
Midshipman J. p. Jackson as second in
command. Time being pressing, gave
| verbal orders to Mr. W!tzel to take the
| building above referred to. to put 1t into
| the best state of defense possible, and
| protect the lives OF the citizens assembled
| there-not firing unless fired upon. :"
| The Colombans surrounded the build
| mediately after we had taken possession,
| and for about one and half hours their
attitude. was most threatening, it being
| seemingly their purpose to provoke an
| attack. Happily our men were cool and
| steady, and while the tension was very
| great no shot was fired. At about 3:i5
| p. m. Col, Torres came into the building
| for an interview and expressed himself
as most friendly to Americans, claiming
hension and that he would like to send
! the alcalde of Colon to Panama to see
Gen. Tobal and have him direct the dis
continuance OF the show of force A spe-
cial train was furnished and safe conduct
! guaranteed. AT about $3.50 p. m. Col.
! Torres made the proposition of Withdraw
| ing his troops to Monkey Hill, If | would
| withdraw the Nashvilles force and leave
| the town in possession OF the police until
the return of the alcalde on the morning
| United States consul and Col Shaler as
to the probability of good faith in the
matter, l decided to accept the PROPOSE
ton and brought my men on board. the
| disparity in numbers between my force
and that of the Colomb!ans. nearly ten
| q
q conflict SO long the object in view
the protection of American citizens, was
not imperiled.
IT am positive that the determined at
| ttude of our men. their GOODNESS and evil
| dent intention of standing their ground
had a most salutary and decisive effect
| on the immediate situation and was rhe
initial step IN the ultimate abandoning
of Colon by these troops and their return
to Cartagena the following day;
II feel that l cannot sufficiently strong
| ly represent to the department the gross
ness OF this outrage and the Insult to our
dignity. even apart from the sayagery of
| the threat"
In view OF the reports OF the various
| naval officers in Panama waters the presi-
| dent concludes that, instead OF there hav-
ing been too much provision by the Amer
| lean government for the maintenance OF
order and the protection OF life and prop
erty on the isthmus. the orders for the
| movement of the American warships had
been too long delayed: so long. in fact,
| that there were but AZ marines and sailors
available to land and protect the lives of
! A Arna me- NCn xtss,a mi, No