The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-03-03
LATIN REPUBLICS
BEGIN FIGHTING
HostiIities Between Panama and
Costa RIGA Have
Begun.
NO DECLARATION OF WAR
President Porras MobiIizes Forces -
Over 1000 Men Volunteer In the
capitaI-Panama to Settle Row
Without v. s. Intervention.

Panama, Feb. 2S.-HOstilities have
begun between Panama and Costa
Rican forces In the vicinity Of Coto,
on the Pacific end Of the frontier be-
tween the two countries, IL Is said In
unofficial advices received here. Official
confirmation of these reports, however,
Is lacking. Formal declaration Of war
had not been made up until last night.
More than 1000 men enrolled for
military service here and reports from
other parts of the republic told of
citizens volunteering for the army.
Two hundred men left this city for
the Costa Rlcan frontier, and 1t is be-
lieved the Panaman forces near Gotta or
en- route to that place number about
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 Dulce.
which is connected by a narrow gauge
railway with small port constructed
by the Panama Sugar company. The
town Of Progreso Is also the property
of the same corporation.
Proereso War Base.
Progreso is the focus of trails which
lead to David, the capital of the prov
ince OF Chiriqui, which is about thirty
two miles distant from Coto.
The Panama Canal Zone admlnistra-
tion and the United States legation
In
from Washington last night. A con-
ference was to be held between Presi-
dent Porras, William Jennings Price,
United States minister, and Col. Jay
J. Morrow. acting canal governor, but
1t was postponed.
Aside from the enthusiasm Incident
TO the volunteering Of men for mill
tary service, chief interest In this city
ceptered around the question of arms
II was generally believed the United
States government held several thou
sand rifles for the Panaman govern
teers would be armed with them. II
was learned at the United States lega-
tlon, however, that some rifles taken
over from the Panaman government
following the signing of the Hay-Va-
rilla treaty were returned, and more
than 1,5OO OF the guns were sold at
public auction here In 1914. A large
number were shipped to the Panaman
consul In New York for disposal in
1915.
Porras Mobillzes Forces.
While the President has been pro-
ceeding under his constitutional pow
ers In mobillzing the Panaman forces,
the authority TO declare war rests with
the national assembly, which has not
as yet acted. A general exodus OF
Costa Ricans from Panama is taking
place, while many Panamans who are
In Costa Rica are trying to reach Pan |
anna.
An interesting phase of the situa- |
tion results from Costa Rica occupy
ing territory under the arbitration de- |
cision of Chief Justice White OF the
United States Supreme court. which
was handed down I'm 1914, while the
United States herself, has, by virtue
Of treaties. guaranteed the territorial
Of this country.
The Panaman government claims,
however, that Justice Whites decision
contained clause to the effect that.
II his award should not be accepted by
both parties, the territorial status
would revert to the condition laid
down by the decision rendered by
President Loubet Of France. II Is un.
ier the Loubet decision that Panama
claims the land which Costa Rica has
seized.
spurns Outside Help.
While II was stated In official circles
here that Panama was much disturbed
over the arms situation, the govern
nent had determined To settle with
costa Rica without Intervention by
he United States, and would purchase
sufficient arms from private munitions !
II they were not available
elsewhere.
II Is know the Sinclair on interests
ave been conducting drilling opera
ions In the same general locality Q
where concessions have been granted I
British corporation by the Costa =
lIean Rovernmant