The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-15
Continued from Monday MorningD
Due Warning Given.

when, In August. 1903. j became con
WINGED that Colombia intended 20 re-
pudiate the treaty made the preceding
January. under cover OF securing its
rejection by the Colombian Legisla-
ture. | began carefully TO consider
what should be done. BY my direction
Secretary Hay, personally and through
the Minister at Bogota, repeatedly
warned Colombia that grave conse-
consequences might follow her relec-
ton OF the treaty. The possibility OF
ratification did not wholly pass away
until the close OF the session of the
Colon bian Congress on the last day
of October. There would then be two
possibilities. One was that Panama
would remain quiet. In that case /
was prepared 10 recommend TO Con
gress that we should at once occupy
the lsthmus anyhow. and proceed to
dig the canal; and | had drawn out a
draft OF ny message TO this effect.
But from the information J received.
deemed " likely that there would be
a revolution IN Panama as soon as the
Colon bian Congress adjourned with
out ratifying the treaty, for the entire
population Of Panama felt that the
immediate building of the canal was Of
vital concern to their well-being Cor
respondents of the different newspa-
pers widely published forecasts indi-
eating that there would be a revolu-
ton in i'ich event.
Revolution impending.
Moreover. on October 16 ~ the
request OF Lieutenant-General Young.
Captain Humphrey and Lieutenant
Murphy. two army officers who had
returned from the Isthmus, saw me
and told me that there would unques-
tionably be revolution on the 18TH
mus. that the people were unanimous
in their criticism Of the Bogota Gov
ernment and their disgust over the
failure 81 that Government 10 ratify
the treaty. and that the revolution
would probably take place Immediately
after the adjournment Of the Colon
bian Congress. Thev did not believe
that IN would be- before October 20.
but they we're confident that a. would
certainly come ~ the end Of October
or imm ediatclv afterwards. when the
Colon bian Congress had adjourned.
Accordingly ! directed the Navy De
parimeut 20 station various ships with
ln easy reach Of the fsthmus. 10 be
ready 20 act IN the event 81 need
arising.
Panama IN Revolt
Those ships we're barely iu time
on November the revolution oc-
CURED. Practically everybody on the
lsthmus. including all the Colombian
troops that were already stationed
there. Joined I'm the revolution and
there was no bloodshcd But on that
same dav 900 new Colombian troops
we're landed Of Colon. Fortunately.
the Eunboat Nashville. under Com
mander Hubbard. reached Colon al
most Immediately afterwards. and
when the commander Of the Colombian
forces threatened the lives and prop
erty 81 the American citizens. inciud-
Ing women and children. in Colon.
Commander Hubbard landed few
score sailors and marines 10 protect
them Uv "a mixture Of frrnuea1 and
tact he not only prevented any a.
sault on our citizens but persuaded
the Colombian commander to rc-en
bark his troops for Cartagena on
The Pacifc side 4 Colombian gunhoat
shelled the City of Panama. with the
result ~ killing one Chinaman the
only iNe lost IN tho whole AFFAIR
Colombia Meant 20 Confscste
Nv belief then was. and the events