The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-04

Torres, that I had prohibited the trans
portation of troops in either direction,
in order to preserve the free and un1n-
terrupted transit of the Isthmus. Copies
OF these letters are hereto appended;
also copy of my notification to the con-
sui. Except to a few people, nothing
was known in Colon of the proceedings
in Panama until the arrival of the train
at 10: As on the morning of the 4th. Some
propositions were, [ was later told
made to Colonel Torres by the repre-
sentatiyes of the new government at
Colon, with a view to inducing him to
re embark in the Cartagena and return
to the port of Cartagena, and it was in
answer to this proposition that Colonel
Torres made the threat and took the
action reported in my letter No. 96, of
November 5, 1903. The Cartagena left
the port just after the threat was made
and I did not deem it expedient to at
tempt to detafh her, as such action
would certainly, in the then state Of
affairs, have precipitated conflict on
shore which I was not prepared to
meet 1t is my understanding that she
returned to Cartagena. After the with
drawal of the Colombian troops on the
evening of November 4, and the return
of the Nashville'S force on board, as re-
ported in my letter No. &c. there was no
disturbance on shore, and the night
passed quietly. On the morning of the
5th I discovered that the commander of
the OOlOI1DldIl lIOOpS udQ 1OL Will
drawn so far from the town as he had
agreed, but was occupying buildings
near the outskirts of the town. I i'm
medfately inquired into the matter and
learned that he had some trivial excuse
for not carrying out his agreement, and
also that it was his intention to occupy
Colon again on the arrival of the al
calde due at 1915 a. M, unless General
Tobal sent word by the alcalde that he,
Colonel Torres, should withdraw That
General Tobal had declined to give any
instructions 1 was cognizant of, and the
situation at once became quite as seri-
Gus as on the day previous. I immedi-
ately landed an armed force. reOccupied
the same building; also landed two /
Founders and mounted them on plat
form cars behind protection of cotton
bales, and then in company with the
United States consul had an interview
with Colonel Torres, in the course of
which I informed him that 1 had re-
landed my men because he had not kept
his agreement; that I had no interest in
the affairs OF either party; that my at
titude was strictly neutral; that the
troops of neither side should be trans
ported; that my sole purpose in landing
was to protect the lives and property of
American citizens if threatened, as they
had been threatened, and to maintain
the free and uninterrupted transit of
the ISthmus, and that purpose 1 should
maintain by force if necessary I also
strongly advised that in the interests of
a conflict that could not but be regret
table, he should carry out his agree
ment of the previous evening and with
draw to Monkey Hill
Torres Reply.
Colonel Torres only reply was that
it was unhealthy at Monkey Hill. a
reiteration of his love of Americans
and persistence in his intention to oc
cupy Colon, should General TobaI not
give him directions to the contrary.
ON the return of the alcaIde at
about II a. m. the Colombian troops
marched into Colon, but did not as
sumo 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 1
offered protection to British subjects as
directed in the departments cablegran.
A copy of the British vice consl1Is ac-
acknowledgement is hereto appended. The
Nashville l got under way as on the
previous day and moved close in tn
afternoon several propositions were
made to Colonel Torres by the repre-
sentatives of the new government. and
he was finally persuaded by them TO
embark on the Royal Mail steamer
Orinoco with all his troops and return
to Cartagena- The Orinoco left her
dock with the troops-474 all told-at
1875 p. m. The Dixie arrived and an
SHOA Gu at t-Uo p Ills WnSn L went on
board and acquainted the commanding
officer with the situation. A portion of
the marine battalion was landed and
the Nashville's force Withdrawn.
20. On the evening of November T.
Major William NJ. Black and Lieuten-
ant Mark Brooke, corps of engineers,
q. S. army, came to Colon from
Culebra and volunteered their services
which were accepted. and they render
ed very efficient help on the following
day.
"A. I beg to assure the department
that had no part whatever in the ne
gotiations that were carried on be-
tween Colonel Torres and the represen-
| tatives of the provisional government;
| that I landed an armed force only
when the lives of American citizens
were threatened, and withdrew this
force as soon as there seemed to be no
grounds for further apprehension of
| injury to American lives or property;
that I relanded an armed force because
of the failure of Colonel Torres to car
ry out his agreement to withdraw and
announced intention of returning, and
| that my attitude tlarc -Ighout was
| strictly neutral as between the two