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

smuggled into the city Of Colon n
piano boxes. MERCHANDISE crates. ete,
the small arms received being principal
ly the Gras French rtie. the Reming-
ton. and the Mauser: that nearly every
rife or gun In his possession. with
therefor: b a In b city
of Panama there had been organised
a fire brigade which was really In
tended for a revolutionary mi itary or-
ganixafion: that there were representa-
tives OF b revolutionary organization
az all important points on the Isthmus.
that in Panama. Colon. and he other
principal places OF the Isthmus pole
forces a been organized which were
In reality revolutionary forces: that
the people on the 1sthmus seemed to De
unanimous in their sentiment agains;
the Bogota Government. and their dis
gust over the failure OF that Govern
ment to ratify the treaty provi9i
for the construction OF the canal. lad
that a revolution might be expected
Immediately upon the adjournment CT
the Colombian Congress without ratih-
cation OF the treaty"
&eee
their report as of such Importance A.
to make it advisable that 1 should par
sonaliy see these officers. They told M
what they had already reported 10 u.
Lieutenant General. adding that on the
Isthmus the excitement VS. see h ng
and that the Colombian troops were
reported TO be disaffected. In Ise
TO a question OF mine they Informed IN,
that IL was The general belief that the
revolution might break out at any Tao
ment, and if il did not happen before.
would doubtless take place Immediately
after the closing Cf the Colombian
Congress tat the end of October) Ii the
canal rAaIv were not ratified. THY
were GER: ain that ~, revolution would
occur, and before iecving the Is. hmus
had made Il cir ov n reckoning as % the
time, which they had set down as be-
InS probably from three TO four weeks
after their leaving. The reason they
set this as the probable inside limit Of
time was that they reckoned that IL
would be at least three or four weeks
say not until October S-before a
sufficient quantity of arms n NUM-
tons would have been landed.
IN view Oh ali THESE ldClS L OlICSlCo
the Navy Department to issue instruc-
ions such as would insure our having
ships within easy reach of the Isthmrs
in the event of need arising. Orders
were given on October IS to the Boston
to proceed to San Juan del Sur, Nicar-
aqua; to the Dixie to prepare TO san
from League Island; and TO The At an
ia to proceed to Guantanamo. On Oc-
tober 80 the Nashville was ordered IN
proceed to Colon. On November 2
when, the Colombian Congress having
adjourned, it was evident that the out
break was imminent. and when 1t was
announced that both sides were making
ready forces whose meeting would
mean ~bloodshed and disorder. the Co
lombian troops having been
on vessels, the following instructions
were sent to the commanders Of the
Boston, Nashville, and Dixie:
Maintain free and uninterrupted
transit. If interruption is threatened
by armed force, occupy the line OF rail-
road. Prevent landing Of any armed
force with hostile intent, either Gov
or insurgent, at any point
within so miles of Panama. Cove n
ment force reported approaching The
Isthmus in vessels. Prevent Their land
ing If, in your judgment. the landing
would precipitate a conflict"
These orders were delivered in pur-
a of the policy on which our
Government had repeatedly acted. This
policy was exhibited in the following
orders, given under somewhat similar
;o,---%onao Last ,oor onI fh4 VAR
before. and the year before that. The
first two kilograms are from the De-
partment Of State to the consul at Pan
ANA.
July rs. 1900.
You are directed to protest against
any act Of hostility which may involve
or imperiI the safe and peaceful transit
Of persons or property across h 18TH
mus Of Panama. The bombardment Of
Panama would have this effect. n
the United States must insist upon the
neutrality of the Isthmus as guaran-
.eed by the treaty"
November 20. 1901.
Notify all parties molestIng or inter-
ferring with free transit ACROSS the
Isthmrs hat. such interference must
cease and that the United States will
prevent the interruption Of traffic upon
the railroad. Consult with captain d
the Iowa, who will be instructed u
land marines. if necessary, Tor he pro-
lection Of the roalroad, in accordance
with the treaty rights and obligations
Of the United States. Desirable TO
avoid bloodshed, il possible"
The next three kilograms are from
and to the Secretary OF the Navy:
September IL. 1902
Ranger. Panama:
United States guarantees perfect
neutrality Of Isthmus and that a free
transit ron sea to sea be not inter-
rupted or embarrassed. Any
transportation of troops which might
c~ontravene these provisions of treaty
should not be sanctioned by you nof
should use Of road be permitted which
might convert III line OF transit into