Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-02-26
H0STllTlES
BREAK OUT IN
SOUTH REGION
Forces of Panama and Costa
Rica Fighting in Region
of Coto.
Many Panama Volunteers
For Service Ready For
Action.

fanar1a. feb. -o.-lB the A6e0~
ciated Press)-Hostilities have begun
between Panaman and Costa Rican
forces in the vicinity Of Coto, on the
Pacific and Of the frontier, between
the two countries. it is said in unof1-
cial advices received here. Official
confirmation of these reports. how
ever. is lacking. Formal declaration
OF war had not been made up until
last night.
More than 1000 men enrolled for
military service here Yesterday and
reports from other parts of the re-
public told of citizeEs volunteering
for the army. Two hundred men left
this city yesterday afternoon for the
Costa Rican frontier, and it is be-
.eved the Panaman forces near Coto
or en- route to that place number 500.
These consist of national police and
volunteers from Panama City and
Chirqui province. The base Of Pana-
man operations will be in the small
town Of Progreso, near Golfo de
Dulcc. which is connected by, mar
row guage railway with small port
constructed by the Panama Sugar
company. The town of Progreso IN
also the property of the same COM
pany.
No Orders.
The Panama. canal zone administra-
ton and the United States legation
here had not received instructions
from Washington last night. A con-
ference was to be held this afternoon
between President Porras. William
Jenkings Price. United States minister
and Colonel lay J. Morrow, acting
canal governor, but it-wAs postponed
! until Monday.
Aside from the enthusiasm incident
to the volunteering Of the men for
military service, chief interest in this
city centered today around the ques-
| ton of arms. 1t was generally be-
lieved the United States government
held several thousand rifles for the
Panaman government. and it was
supposed the volunteers would be
armed with them. 1t was learned at
the United States legation, however.
that some 1900 rifles taken over from
the Paraman government after the
signing of the Hay-V -Varilla treaty were
returned and most of them sold at
public auction here in 1914. The re-
! ma!nder were shipped to the Pana-
man consul in New York for disposal
: in 1916.
While the president has been pro-
ceeding under his constitutional pow
ers in nlobilizing the Panaman forces,
the authority to declare war rests
With the national asse bly,. which has
not as yet acted. a general exodus
OF Costa Ricans from Panama is TAX
ing place. while many Panamans who
are in Costa Rica are trying to reach
Panama.
An Interesting Phase.
! An interesting phase of the situa-
: ton results from Costa Rica occupy
ing territory under the arbitration
! decision of Chief Justice White OF the
! United States supreme court. whici,
] was handed down in 1914. while the
I United States herself has. by virtue
of treaties guaranteed the territorial
integrity Of this country. The Pana
man government claims. however.
: that Justice Whites decision contain
ed IA clause to the effect that il his
award should not be accepted by bo;.
! parties, the territorial! status would
| revert TO the conditions laid down b.
the decision rendered by Presiden.
I Loubet of France. 1t is under the
: Loubet decision that Panama claims
the land which Costa Rica has seized.
While il was stated in Official cir
cles here last night that Panama was
much disturbed over the arms situa
tion. the government had determined
! to settle Costa Rica without interver-
tion by the United States. and would
purchase sufficient arms from private
munitions concerns if they were not
availa BILE elsewhere.