The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-01-20
PRESIDENT ON PANAMA
Justifies Our Governments Action
in Message to Congress.
Denial of Completely in Revolt-Prompt
Recognition Based on Treaty Rights
and Interests of Civilization.

Washington. D. C.-President Roose.
velt sent to Congress a 10000 word
message telling of his action in Pan
anna. 1t contains the text Of instruc-
tions to our representatives on the
Isthmus and their replies, notably
reports of the uprising and the ac.
ton he took at Colon to prevent loss
Of American and English lives, and to
preserve transit unimpeded.
AS to insinuations that we inspired
the revolt and took hand in it. the
President says they. are las destitute
cf foundation as Of propriety," and are
alluded to by him only lest 'unthinking
persons might mistake for acquiscence
the silence Of self-respect."
The timely proximity Of our naval
forces at the revolt Of Panama he at
tributes to the common foreknowledge
Of it's imminence, derived from press
dispatches. as early as August 81,
which ne quotes. as we'll as from spe-
cial advices. which warned our Gov
ernment to be ready, in pursuance of
its established policy. to maintain free
and uninterrupted transit over the
Isthmus For this reason, on October
10, the Boston. the Dixie and the At
lanta were sent to convenient stations,
and on October 30 the Nashville was
ordered to Colon with instructions to
keep transit free and prevent con-
flict.
In his reports Commander Hubbard
Of the Nashville charges Colonel
Torres, the commander Of the Colon
bian troops which landed at Colon
on November 3. with practically max:
ing war against the United States.
Colonel Torres notified our Consul that
if the Colombian officers who had been
seized by the independents in Panama
on that day were not released forth
with he would "open fire on Colon
and kill every United States citizen
in the place"
Commander Hubbard advised that
the women and children be sent to
ships and that the men take refuge in
a stone shed of the railway company,
which was guarded by our marines.
Colombian troops for an hour and q
half surrounded this building in men
acing attitude. evidently determined to
provoke an attack, but tire GOODNESS OF
our men averted bloodshed.
Later Colonel Torres asked for an
interview. professed friendship for the
Americans. saying that the whole affair
was q mistake, and agreed to withdraw
his men if Commander Hubbard would
leave the town in possession Of the po-
lice.
Meantime Commander Hubbard had
been advised of the uprising in Panama
and the establishment of provisional
government there, and had thereupon
directed the railway officials to refuse
to transport the troops Of either party
He disavowed all interest in either
side. and expressed his determination
to maintain a strictly neutral attitude.
save in defense of our rights.
Finally Colonel Torres was persuaded
by representatives of the new govern
ment to return with his troops to. Car
tagena. In these negotiations Com
mander Hubbard declares he had no
part.
: TIE promptness of our recognition of
the new republic contrary to custom
the President says, was based upon
three reasons: O Our treaty rights
(2) our national interests and safety
(3) the interests Of collective civiliza'
ton.
Regarding our intentions toward Pan
anna. the President refers "those who
are pessimistic as to our action to OIL
conduct inaCuba. "A IL
Referring to Coiombia's proposal thai
if we will restore the status quo before
the revolt she will ratify the cana
treaty unconditionally, the President
says:
''I will not for one moment discuss
the possibility Of the United States
committing an act Of such baseness
as to abandon the new republic OF
Panama"
The President concludes with these
words:
"The question actually before this
Government is not that Of the recog
milton of Panama as an: Independent
republic. That is already an accom-
plished fact. The question. and the
only question. is whether or not We
shall build an Isthmian canal"