The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04

Everyone knew that II was a posi-
billy. but it was not until toward the
end of October that it appeared to be an
imminent probability. Although the Ad-
m,nistration. of course. had special
Means of knowledge. no such means
were necessary in order TO appreciate
the possibility. and toward the end of
the likelihood, OF such revolutionary
outbreak and of it's success. 1t was a
matter of common notoriety.
The message then quotes press dis
patches, published inN the months of
August, September, and October of last
year. indicating the unrest of the peo-
pie of Panama, due to the anticipated
failure OF the canal treaty, and the
growth of the sentiment on the 18TH
mus for revolt in the event of it's re-
lection
REVOLUTION IN CAUeA
The message continues:
On October Is Commander Hubbard.
OF the navy. notified the Navy Depart
ment that. though things were quiet on
the isthmus. a revolution had broken out
in the State of Cauca. On October 16
al the request of Lieutenant General
Young. 1 saw Capt. c. B. Humphrey and
Lieut.. Grayson Mallet-Prevost MUIR
ply, who had just returned from a four
months tour through the northern por-
lions of Venezuela and Colombia,
They stopped in Panama on their re-
turn in the latter part of September. At
the time they were sent down there
had been no thought of their going to
Panama. and their visit to the lsthmus
was but an unprecedented incident of
h.ad faxr
spoken to by anyone at Washington re-
garding the possibility of a revolt. I'm
til they landed at Colon they had no
knowledge that a revolution vas i'm
pending. save what they had gained
from the newspapers.
What they saw in Panama so i'm
pressed them that they reported thers-
on to Lieutenant General Young
SETTLING EXCITEMENT.
Lieutenant General Young regarded
their report as of such importance as
to make IT advisable that 1 shouh per-
sonally see these officers. They tdd me
what they had already reported 10 the
lieutenant general. adding that On the
isthmus the excitement was sedhing
and that the Colombian troops were re-
ported TO be disaffected. In response to
a question of mine they informed me
that it was the general belief that the
revolution might break out at any mo-
ment. and If 1t did not happen before.
would doubtless take place Immediately
after the closing of the CoIombiai Con-
/ gress cat the end of OCTOBER II the
canal treaty were not ratified.
/ They were certain that the revolution
would occur. and before leaving the
/ isthmus had made their own reckoning
/ as to the time. which they had SCI down
as being probably from three ID four
weeks after their leaving. The reason
| they set this as the probable Inside
/ limit OF time was that they reskoned
that IL would be at least three or four
weeks-say not until October 20-before
/ a sufficient quantity of arms and muni-
lions would have been landed.
SHIPS ORDERED TO ISTHMUS.
! In view of all these facts l directed
/ the Navy Department to issue iastruc-
I tons such as would Insure our having
/ ships within easy reach Of the isthmus
! in the event of need arising. Orders
| were given on October 10 to the, Boston
/ to proceed to San Juan del Sur Mica
! ragua; 10 the Dixie TO prepare 10 sail
/ from League Island, and to the Atlanta
I to proceed to Guantanamo on october
| 80 the Nashville was ordered 10 pro-
coed to Colon.
On November 2, when. the Columbian
| congress having adjourned, it was evil
dent that the outbreak was imminent.
] and when IL was announced that both
sides were making ready forces whose
meeting would mean bloodshed and dis
order, the Colombian troops having
been embarked on vessels. the following
instructions were sent to the COM
manders Of the Boston. Nashvilh. and
Dixie.
Maintain free and uninterrupted tran
sit. If interruption is threatehed by
armed force. occupy the line Of rail-
road. Prevent landing OF any armed
force with hostile intent. either govern
ment or insurgent. at any point within
fifty miles of Panama. Government
force reported approaching the isthmus
In vessels. Prevent their landing H. In
your judgment, the landing would pre-
cipitate a conflict
USUAL POLICY PURSUED.
These orders We're delivered in pur-
suance of the policy on which our Gov
eminent had repeatedly acted This