The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-08

Colombian troops On the evening Of
November 4, and the return Of the
Nashvfile's force on board, as reported
in my letter No. So there was no ds-
turbance on shore, and the night pass
ed quietly On the morning OF the 5
/ discovered that the commander Of
the troops had not with
drawn so far from the town as he had
agreed. but was occupying buildings
near the outskirts OF the town. I i'm
mediately inquired into the matter and
learned that he had some trivial ex-
cuse for not carrying out his agree
ment, and also h la II was his inte3-
ton to occupy Colon again On the ar
rival OF the alcalde due at 10:45 a., m.
unless General Tobal cent word by the
alcalde that he, Colonel Torres, should
withdraw. That General Tobal had
declined to give any Instructions I was
c~ognizant OF. and he situation at once
became quite as serious as IN the day
previous. L Immediately landed an
armed force, reoccupied the same build
ing; also landed two 1-pounders and
mounted them on platform cars beh.nd
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 a relanded my men b-cause
he had not kept his agreement; that I
had no interest In the affairs of either
party; that my attitude was strictly
neutral; that the troops Of neither
side should be transported: hat my
sole purpose in landing was to protect
the lives and property of American cit
liens if threatened, as they had been
threatened. and to maintain the free
and uninterrupted transit OF the 18TH
mus, and that purpose I should main
tain by force il necessary. I also
strongly advised that in the Interests
Of peace, and to prevent the possibiii-
ty OF a conflict that could not but he
regrettable. he should carry out his
agreement Of the previous evening and
Withdraw to Monkey Hill. N
Colonel Torres's 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 Tobal not
give him directions to the contrary.
"On the return of the alcalde at
about IL 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 .
IMarcomania and City of Washington,
and through the British vice consIi l
offered protection to British subjects as
directed in the Departments cable
gram. A copy Of the British vice con-
sul's Acknowledgement is hereto APP
pended. The. Nashville I got under
a as on the previous day and moved
close in to protect the water front.
During the afternoon several PROPOSE
tions were made to Colonel Torres by
the representatives of the new Govern
ment, and he was finally persuaded by
them to embark on the Royal Mail
steamer Orinoco with allspiS troops and
return to Cartagena. The Orinoco left
her dock with the troops-474 all told
at 1885 p. n. The Dixie arrived ana
anchored at 7:05 p. m, when / went
On board and acquainted the command
ing officer with the situation. A por-
ton of the marine battalion was land
ed and the Nashville's. force withdrawn.
'3. On the evening of Novembe: 4
Major William NJ. Black and L euten-
ant Mark Brooke, Corps Of Engineers,
U. S. Army, came to Colon from Guile
bra and volunteered their services,
which were accepted, and they render
ed very efficient help on the following
day.
~. I beg to assure the Department
that I had no part whatever in the
negotiations that were carried On be-
tween Colonel Torres and the represent
tatives Of the provisional government;
that l 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 re-
landed an armed force because Of the
failure Of Colonel Torres to carry out
his agreement to withdraw and an
ounce intention of returning. n
that my attitude throughout was strict
ly neutral as between the two parties.
my only purpose being to protect the
lives and property of American citizens
and to preserve the free n uninter-
rupted transit of the .Isthmus.
VERY respectfully.
(Signed.1 JOHN HUBBARD.
Commander. u. S. Navy,
Commanding.
The Secretary of the Navy.
Bureau OF Navigation,
Navy Department,
Washington. D. c."
This plain official account of the oc-
.e%urrences of November 4. shows that,
instead ofA there having been too much
provision by the American Government
for the maintenance OF order and the
protection Of life and property on The
IsthmuE, the orders for the movement
Of the American war ships had been
too long delayed: SO long. in fact. that
there were but forty-two MARINES AMI
sailors available to land and protect the
lives Of American men and women. 1t
was only the GOODNESS and gailantry
with which this little hand Of men
wearing the American uniform faced