The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-05

the isthmus police forces had peeh VI
ganized which were in reality revolution-
airy forces; that the people on the isthnus
seemed to be unanimous in their senu-
ment against the Bogota government ana
their disgust over the failure of that gov
eminent to ratify the treaty providing ior
the construction of the canal, and that
revolution might be expected Immediately
upon the adjournment of the COLOMBIAN
congress without ratification of the treaty
Saw officers Personally.
Lieutenant General Young regarded
their report as of such Importance as 10
make 1t advisable that should personally
see these officers. They told me what they
had already reported to the lieutenant
general adding that on the isthmus tne
excitement was seething, and tnat tne
Colombian troops were reported TO De
d,saffected. In response to question OF
mine they informed me that 1t was the
general belief that the revolution might
break out at any moment, and IL II ala not
happen before, would doubtless take place
Immediately after the closing OF the So-
Iombian congress cat the end OF oclopell
IL the canal treaty were not ratihed Ihey
were certain that the revolution would oc-
cur. and before leaving the isthmus mao
made their own reckoning as TO the tihls
which they ndQ StL uONi % 'St'tP
ably from three to four weeks after their
leaving The reason they set this as the
probable inside limit of time was that
they reckoned that 1t would be at least
three or four weeks-say not until OCTOBER
2O-before q sufficient quantity or arms
and munitions would have been landed.
In view of all these facts directed tine
navy department to issue instructions
such as would insure our having SHIPS
within easy reach Of tho isthmus In the
event of need arising. Orders were given
on october 10 to the Boston TO proceed
10 san Juan del Sur Nicaragua; to the
Dixie 10 prepare to sail from League
Island and to the Atlanta to proceed 10
Guantanamo On October 30 the Nasn-
willie was ordered to proceed TO Coion'
On November when, the COLOMBIAN
congress having adjourned, 1t was evil
dent that the outbreak was Imminent
and when il was announced that potn
sides were making ready forces whose
meeting would mean bloodshed and dis
order. the Colombian troops having been
embarked on vessels, the following IN
structions were sent to the commanders
of the Boston, Nashville and Dixie:
maintain free and uninterrupted tran
sit, If interruption is threatened by arm
| ed force, occupy the line of railroad. Pre-
vent landing of any armed force VIII
hostile intent, either government or In
| surgent at any point within fifty miles
! of Panama. Government force reported
approaching the isthmus in vessels. Pre-
| vent their landing If, in your judgment
| the landing would precipitate a con
| fiict"
Persued Regular Policy.
These orders were delivered in pur
suance of the policy on which our gov
eminent had repeatedly acted Tn
nolicy was exhibited In the following or
| ders, given under somewhat similar cir
cumstances last year, and the year be
fore, and the year before that The frs
! two kilograms are from the department
| Of state to the consul at Panama:
July 25, 1900.
you are directed to protest agains
/ any act Of hostility which may involve
or imperiI the safe and peaceful transit
of persons or property across the lsthmui
Of Panama The bombardment of Pana
ma would have this effect and the
United States must insist upon the neu'
trality of the isthmus as guaranteed by
the treaty"
November 20, 1901
Notify all parties rolesting or inter-
fering with free transit across the 18TH
mus that such Interference must cease
and that the United States Will prevenet
the interruption Of traffic upon the rail
road Consult with captain OF the Iowa,
who will be instructed to land marines,
If necessary, for the protection OF the
railroad in accordance with the treaty
rights and obligations of the United
States. Desirable to avoid bloodshed, II
possible"
The next three kilograms are from and
to the secretary Of the navy:
September ~. 1902.
Ranger Panama.
United States guarantees perfect neu-
trality Of isthmus and that free tran
sit from sea to sea be not interrupted or
embarrassed . Any transporta-
tIon of troops which might contravene
these provisions of treaty should not be
sanctioned by you nor should use Of
road be epermltted which might con-
vert the line Of transit into theatre OF
hostility. MOODY"
"Colon, September %, 1902.
Secretary Navy Washington.
Everything is conceded. The United
States guards and guarantees traffic and
the line Of transit. Today | permitted
the exchange Of Colombian troops from
Panama to Colon. about 1000 men each
way the troops without arms in train
guarded by American naval force In the
same manner as other passengers; arms
and ammunition In separate train. guard
ed also by naval force in the same man.
ner as other freight. MCLEAN"
Panama. October 3. 1902
Secretary Navy. Washington, ID. c.
Have sent this communication to the
American consul at Panama:
Inform governor while trains run
ming under United States protection
must decline transportation any combat
ants. ammunition. arms. which might
cause interruption traffic Or convert line
Of transit into theatre hostiiities.'
CASEY"
Situation Was Critical.
on November Con mander Hubbard
responded to the above-auoted telegram
of November 2, 1908. saying that before
the telegram had been received 40 Co
lombian troops from Cartagena
landed at Colon: that there had b