The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-08
Message by President
s.atinued from Page Two.

evident intention OF standing their
ground, had a most salutary and decis-
I've effect on the immediate
and was the initial step in the ultimate
abandoning OF Colon by these troops
and their return to C~artagena the fol-
lowing day. Lieutenant Commander
Witxel Is entitled to much praise fo-
his admirable work in command on the
1speA.
II feet that I can not sufficiently
strongly represent to the Department
the grsssness Of this outrage and the
Insult to u dignity, even apart from
the savagery OF the threat.
"Very respectfully,
JOHN HUBBARD.
"Compander, U. s. Navy.
Commanding.
''EAe Secretary of the Navy.
Navy Department,
washington. D. c."
In his letter Cd November s Com
manaed Hubbard sets forth the facts
more in detail:
- s. S. Nashville, Third Rate,
Porto Bello, u. S.. Colombia,
November 8, 1903.
sir: 1. I have the honor to make the
following report of the occurrences
which took place at Colon and Pana-
ma In the interval between the arrival
of the Nashville at Colon on the even
ing Of November 2, 1903, and the even
ing OF November 5, 1903, when by the
arrival OF the u. S. S. Dixie at Color 1
was relieved as senior officer by Com
mander r. H. Delano, u. S. Navy.
g. AT the time of the arrival of the
Nashville at Colon at $50 p. m. on No
Vember 2 everything on the iSthmus
was quiet There was talk of proclaim
ing the independence of Panama, but
no definite action had been taken and
there had been no disturbance of peace
and order. At daylight on the morning
OF November 3 it was found that q
vessel which had come in during the
night was the Colombian gunboat Car
tagena carrying between 400 and 500
troops. 1 had her boarded and learned
that these troops were for the garrison
at Panama. Inasmuch as the Indepen-
dent party had not acted and the Gov
eminent of Colombia was at the time
in undispuited control of the Province
of Panama, 1 did not feel. in the 40
sence of any instructions, that L was
justified in preventing the landing Of
I-ACSC IAOORop dAid at 90 SAON1 N14NO
were disembarked. The commanding
officers, Generals Amaya and Total,
with four others, Immediately went
over to Panama to make arrangements
for receiving and quartering the r
troops, leaving the Command in charge Of
an officer whom [ later learned to be
Colonel Torres. The Departments
message addressed to the care of the
YTAitnI GfotoS CONSUL 7 raoaiuad of 10.S0
a. m.: it was delivered to one of The
ship's boats while l was at the consu's
and not to the consul as addressed.
The message was said to have been
resolved It the cable office at $50 a. IN.
Immediately On deciphering the mes
sage 1 went on shore to see what ar
rangenents the railroad company had
made for the transportation of these
troops to Panama. and learned that the
company would not transport them ex-
cept On request Of the governor Of Pan
ANA. the prefect at Colon and the
officer left in command of the troops
had beer So notified by the general su-
p~erintendent Of the Panama Railroad
Company. I remained at the compa-
nys office until it was sure that 40
action on my part would be needed to
"a tuC IdIlSpOI dllOn " lNc IOOpS
tia afternoon, when I returned on
board and cabled the Department the
situation Of affairs. At about $50 q.
IA I again went on shore, and received
notice from the general superintendent
OF the railroad that he had received
the request for the transportation Of
the troops and that they would leave.
On the s a. m. train on the following
day. I Immediately went to e the
general superintendent, and learned
that It had just been announced that a.
provisional government had been s.
tablished 1T Panama-that Generals
Amaya and Tobal. the governor Of
Panama, and four officers, who had
gone to Panama in the morning. hal
been seized and were held as prisoners:
that they had an organized force OF
1.5oe troops and wished the Government
troops in Gallon to be sent over. This i
z declined To permit, and verbally pro-
hfbdted the general superintendent
from giving transportation to the
troops OF either party.
III being then late in the evening. I
eat early in the morning of November
4 written notification to the general
superintendent of the Panama railroad /
tn the project Of Colon, ard t. the Off /
Ger left In command OF the Colombian !
trceps. later ascertained To be Colon Il
TORIES. that 1 had prohibited the trans
portAtion Of troops in either direction, !!
In order to preserve the free and unin-
t~arrupted transit OF the Isthmus. Cop
ies OF these letters are hereto appended;
afse copy OF my notification to the
ooAsul. Except to a few people, moth |
ing was known in Colon OF the proceed
ings In Panama until the arrival of the
trala 1t 10:45 on the morning OF the
4th. Some propositions were, I was
atcr TOLD. made TO Colonel Torres by
the representatives OF the new Gov
eminent at Colon. with a view to in
dfeizg him to re-embark in the Car