New-York tribune., 1909-07-27
WARNING TO PANAMA
ASSAULTS ON AMERICAN
CITIZENS RESENTED.
State Department InStructs M|RlsteT
Squiers to Demand RcpdTdtlon
-InterueRtiOn Last Resort.

Washington, July 26.-Panamas failure to
take proper notice of the maltreatment of Amer
lean citizens within her borders for the last two
years and half has irritated the United States
government to the point of insisting on a prompt
settlement of these cases to the satisfaction of
the State Department.
Apparently, trustworthy testimony showing
unprovoked assaults and rough treatment of
American citizens. including naval officers. has
been presented to the government of Panama
with view to obtaining proper apology. pun
ishment of the offenders. compensation for in
jury or death and police reform: but to no pur-
pose. Only the most unsatisfactory replies have
been received The attitude Of the government
of the isthmian republic is inexplic1ble TO the
State Department officials who have asked that
nothing more than simple justice shall be done
with proper reparation to the families of those
who have suffered. Minister Squors has been
instructed to urge insistontly that the govern
ment Of Panama make a satisfactory settlement
of these cases.
While the United States government has no
idea, so far as can be learned. of intervening in
the affairs of Panama with view to maintain
ing order. Yet it clearly has the right to do so
should public order not be maintained in the
cities Of Panama and Colon and the territories
and harbors adjacent thereto This right Is
given by Article VII OF the treaty Of 1908 The
disposition of this government is to give Panama
every opportunity to prove herself equal TO the
task of protecting life and property within her
borders. and intervention would be resortcd TO
only last resort.
on four different occasions Americans have
suffered at the hands Of Panamans and in none
of these cases has this government been able
to obtain any satisfaction. one instance cited
was OF assault W. 3 Warner. en-
of Tet ysr0
it is alleged. was brutally dubbed and other
wise severely handled by the police OF Colon
on December %. 1906
Several American officers Of the cruiser Co.
lumbia. in uniform. arrested IN Colon on
June /. 1906 without sufficient cause. it is al
legged. They were roughly handled and clubbed
and then thrown into Jail. where they were left
several hours without proper medical attention.
The attack It is said. was unprovoked. No
steps have been taken by Panama to comply
with = demand that indemnity be paid to
the officers. the government seemingly having
disclaimed all blame in the matter.
Charles Rand. boatsvains mate. was killed.
and Joseph Cicslik, sailor. both of the cruiser
Buffalo Was injured as the result 81 a hght
aith The police OF Panama on September n.
1905 From the evidence in this case there ap-
pears 70 be no doubt according % the state
Department that she two men we're hrutslly
treated hy the police. who dubbed. handouffed
and dragged Rand through the streets while
ne y a. badly wounded. II e further alleged
that ~ntle he was in the custody ~ the police
Rand was allowed to lie suffering and bleeding
in jau for more than an hour without medical
attention Similar treatment Is said 10 have
been given 70 Cieslik.
Last May Charles NJ Abbott. white. ana John
Williams q negro both Americans were killed
in riot. the former bv stone supposed 10
have been thrown by rioter. and the latter ~
. r4ne shot supposed 70 have been fred by a
member If the Colon police force Neither OF
these men II is said. appears t. have taken
any part IN the disturbance