Evening journal., 1904-01-04


newly landed Colombian troops had in
dulged- in wanton and violent threats
against American citizens, which Gre
ated serious apprehension. As Com
mander Hubbard reported in his letter
Of Nov. 3, this officer and his troops
practically began war against the Unit
ed States, and only the forbearance and
GOODNESS Of our officers and men pre-
vented blocdshed. The letter of Com
mander Hubbard is of such interest
that it deserves quotation in full and
runs as follows:
u. S. S. Nashville. Third Rate.
Colon, IT, s. Colombia. Nov. s. 1903
Sir-Pending a complete report OF the
occurrences Of the last three days In Co
lon. Colombia I most respectfully invite
the departments attention to those Of the
date Of Wednesday, Nov. 4. which
amounted to practically the making Of
war against the United States by the Off
Ger in command OF the Colombian troops
In Colon. AT / o'clock p. m. on that date
was summoned on shore by a preconcert-
ed signal and on landing met the United
States consul, vice consul and Colonel
Shaler. the general superintendent of the
Panama railroad. The consul informed
me that he had received notice from the
officer commanding the Colombian troops
Colonel Torres. through the project OF CO.
lon. to the effect that if the Colombian
officers Generals Tobal and Amaya. who
had been seized in Panama on the evening
Of the Sd Of November by the indcpend-
ents and held as prisoners. were not re-
leased by o'clock p. m. he CTorres) would
ODen fire on the town Of Colon and kill
every United States citizen In the place.
and my advice and action were requested.
/ advised that all the United States citi-
zens should take refuge in the shed of the
Panama railroad company, a stone build
ing susceptible of being put into good
state for defense and that l would imme-
diately lane such body Of men. with extra
arms for arming the citizens as the COM
plement Of the ship would permit. This
was agreed to. and I Immediately return
ed on board arriving at l:lo p. m. The
order for landing was Immediately given.
and at 80 D. m. the boats left the ship
with party Of forty-two men under the
command of Lieutenant Commander H.
NJ. Witzel with Midshipman j. P. Jackson
as second in command. Time beirg press
ing. / gave verbal orders to Mr.. Wtzel to
take the building above referred to- to put
II into the best state Of defense possible
and protect the lives of the citizens assem-
bled there. not firing unless fired upon.
Thewomen and children took refuge on the
German steamer Marcomania and Panama
railroad steamer City Of Washington,
both ready to haul out from dock II nee
ess2ry The Nashville I sot under way
and patrolod with her along the water
front close in and ready to use either
small arm or shrapnel fire. The Colora-
bians surrounded She building Of the rail-
road company almost Immediately after
we had taken possession, and for about
one and a half hours their attitude was
most threatening. 1t being seemingly their
purpose TO provoke an attack Happily
our men we're cool ana steady. ana. while
the tension was very great, no shot was
fired. At about 3.l5 p. m. Colonel Torres
came into the building for an interview
and expressed himself as most friendly TO
Americans. claiming that the whole affair
was a Misrepresentation and that he would
like TO send the alcalde OF Coien 70 Pan
ANA to see General Tobal and have him
direct the discontinuance OF the show OF
force. A special train was furnished and
safe conduct guaranteed. At about s 20
D. m. Colonel Torres made the proposition
OF Withdrawing his troops 10 Monkey hill
II I would Withdraw the Nashvinos force
and laave the town IN possession of the
police until the return Of the alcal6e on
the morning OF the 5th. After an interview
with the United States consul end Colonel
Shaler IS 70 the probability Of good faith
In the matter ] decided to accept the prop
osition and brought my men on board. the
disparity in numbers between my force
and that Of the Colombians-nearly ten to
one-making me desjrous Of avoiding a
conflict so long as the object in view. the
protection Of American citizens. was not
imperiled.
am positive that the determined atti-
tude OF our men. their GOODNESS and evil
dent intention Of standing their ground.
had a most salutary and decisive effect on
the immediate situation and was the int
tial step in the ultimate abandoning OF
Colon by these troops and their return TO
ell I
Commander Witzel is entitled to much
praise for his admirable work in command
on the spot.
feel that cannot sufficiently strongly
represent to the department the grossness
Of this outrage and the insult to our dig
nifty. even apart from the savagery OF the
threat. Very respectfully,
JOHN HUBBARD,
Commander. L. S. Navy. Commanding.
The Secretary OF the Navy, Navy Depart
ment. Washington.
Commander Hushard's History.
In his letter Of Nov Commander
Hubbard sets forth the facts more in
detail:
L. S. S. Nashville. Third Rata
/ Porto BellO, L. S. Colombia, Nov. s, 1903.
] Sir-Q) I have the honor 10 make the fol-
/ lowing report of the occurrences which
took place at Colon and Panama in the
/ interval between the arrival Of the Nash
willie at Colon on the evening OF Nov. 2,
I 1903. and the evening OF Nov. 5. 1903. when
/ by the arrival of the L. s. 3. Dixie at
/ Colon I was relieved as senior oficer by
Commander f. Fl. Dclano, u. 5. navy.
CD AT the time Of the arrival Of the
Nashville at Colon at $50 D. m on Nov
/ 2 everything on the isthmus was quiet
/ There was talk Of proclaimiug the inde-
] pendence Of Panama. but no definite ac-
/ ton had been taken and there had been
/ no disturbance Of peace and order. AT
| daylight on the morning OF Nov. il was
/ found that a vessel which had come ~
during the night was the Colombian gun
/ boat Cartagena, carrying between 400 and
SOC troops. 1 had her boarded and learned
I that these troops were for the garrison at
] Panama. Inasmuch as the Independent
party had not acted and the government
/ OF Colombia was at the time In undis-
putcd control of the province OF Panama
/ did not feel in the absence Of any in
/ Btructions. that 1 was justified In prevent
ing the landing OF these troops and al
$50 o'clock they were disembarked. The
commanding officers. Generals Amaya and
/ Tobal with four others. Immediately went
I over to Panama 10 make arrangement
for receiving and Quarterng their troops
! leaving the command in charge OF an OH.
Ger whom / later learned to be Colonel
I Torres The departments message adj
dressed TO the care OF the United States
/ consul received al 1870 a. m. It was de
lvered to one of the ships boats while
was at the consuis and not to the consul
as addressed. The message was said c
have been received at the cable Office al
$50 a. m. Immediately on decipherina
/ the message 1 went on shore 10 see whal
arrangements the railroad company hat