The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-04
Continued from page seven.

xntendent or the Panama hhllfvdu, No aH'
prefect OF Colon. and to the officer left in
command OF the Colombian troops. later
sscertained 10 be Colonel Torres. that
had prohibited the transportation OF
troops I'm either direction I'm order TO pre-
oerve the free and uninterrupted transit
OF the Tsthmus
Copies OF these letters are hereto ap-
pended; also copy or my notification to
the consul. Except TO few people. moth
ing was known in Colon OF the proceed
tngr I'm Panama until the arrival Of the
train at iO:45 on the morning OF the ith.
Some propositions were I was later told,
made to Colonel Torres by the represent
atives OF the new government at Colon,
with a view to inducing him TO re-embark X
In The Cartagena and return 20 the port or
Cartasena, and II was In answer 10 this
proposition that Colonel Torres made the
threat and took the action reported In my
letter No 9s. OF November s. 1903. The
Cartagena left the port just after the
threat was made and 7 did not deem II
expedient 10 attempt 10 -etain her. as
suoh action would certainly, in the then
state OF affairs have precipitsted a con-
nIct on shore which | was not prepared
20 meet II is my understanding that
she returned TO Cartagena. After the
Withdrawal OF the Colombian troops on
the evening OF Nov. 4. and the return OF
the Nashville's force on board. re-
ported In my letter No. 96. there was no
disturbance on shore. and the night paw
sed quietly. On the morning OF the 5th
i discovered that the commander OF the
Columbian troops had not withdrawn so
fsr from the town as he had agreed. but
vas occupying buildings near the out
skirts OF the town.
7 Immediately inquired into the matter
and learned that he had some trivial ex-
euse for not carrying out his agreement
and also that IL was his intention to
occupy Colon again on the arrival of the
aicalde due az 1915 a. m. unless General
yobal sent word by the aicalde that he
Colonel Torres. should withdraw That
General Tobal had declined TO give any
instructions ] was cognizant OF. and the
situation at once became quite as serious
IS on the day previous. Immediately
landed an armed force. reoccupied the
same building: also landed two l-pounders
and mounted them on platform cars be-
hind protection OF cotton bales. and then
In company with the United States consul
had an interview with Colonel Torres
In the course OF which Informed him
that had relanded my men because he
had not kept his agreement: that | had
no interest in the affairs OF either party:
that my attitude was strictly neutral;
that the troops OF neither side should be
landing was 10 protect the lives and prop
erty OF American citizens II threatened
as they had been threatened. and 10
maintain the free and uninterrupted
transit OF the lsthmus and that purpose
should maintain by force ~ necessary.
I also strongly advised that In the in
terests OF peace. and 10 prevent the possi-
bility of a conflict that could not but be
regrettable,. he should carry out his
IF ha a,A
withdraw 10 Monkey IIill
Colonel Torress only reply was that II
wes unhealthy at Monkey A. H. a reit-
GRAFTON OF his love OF Americans and per-
sistence I'm his intention 10 occupy Colon.
should General Tobal not give him direc-
tions 70 the contrary.
on the return OF the alcalde at about
II a. m. the Columbian troops marched
into Colon. hut did not assume the
threatening demeanor Of the previous
day. The American women and children
again went on board the Marcomania
and City OF Washington. and through
the British vice-consul I offered protec-
tion 10 British subjects as directed in the
departments cablegram copy OF the
British vice-consurs acknowledgement is
hereto appended. The Nashville I got
under way as on the previous day and
moved close In TO protect the water front
A,uTlnE the AFTERNOON StNhTal PROPOSITIONS
were made 10 Colonel Torres by the rep
resentatives OF the new government. and
ne was finally persuaded by them 10 en-
bark on the Royal Mail steamer Orinoco
with all his troops and return 10 Cartag-
ena. The Orinoco left her dock with the
troops--474 all told-at 7:35 D. m The
Dixie arrived and anchored at 7:O5 r. M.
when I went on board and acquainted the
commanding officer with the situation A
landed and the Nashvllle's force with
drawn
8 on. the evening OF Nov 4. Mai
William NJ Black and Lieut.. Mark
Brooke. Corps OF Engineers, Il. 8. Army.
came to Colon from Culebra and volun-
tsered their services. which were accepted
and they rendered very efficient help on
the following day
T. 7 beg 10 assure the department that
had no part whatever In the negotia-
tions that were carried on between Col.
Torres and the representatives OF the
provisional government: that landed an
armed force only when the lives Of Ameri-
can citizens were threatened. and with
drew this force as soon as there seemed
20 be no grounds for further apprehen-
eion Of injury 10 American lives or prop.
erty: that relandsd an armed force be-
cause Of the failure Of Col. Torres TO car
ry out his agreement TO withdraw and
announced intention or returning and
that my attitude Throughout was strictly
neutral as between the two parties. my
only purpose being 10 protect the lives
and property Of American citizens and 10
spreserVe the free and uninterrupted
Transit OF the Isthmus.
Very respectfully.
Comma nder United States navy, com
manding.
Csigned) JOHN HUBBARD.
THE SECRETARY or THE NG,Y.
Bureau OF Navigation, Navy depart
nent,
Washington. u. G..
TOO LONG DELAYED
Tas plain official account or the oc-
currences OF Nov I. shows that. instead
OF there having been too much provision
by the American Government for the
maintenance Of order and the protection
OF life and property on the lsthmus. the
orders for the movement OF the American
war ships had been too long delayed.
90 long. In fact that there were but
forty-two marines and sailors available
n land and protect the lives OF Ameri-