New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-22
Hughes's Ultimatum in
Effect Is Strip Given
Costa Rica Must Be
Surrendered at Once
Forces in Zone
Raised to $500
Country Favored by Find
ings of Justice White
May Use Her Troops
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Aug. Strong
words and a battalion of marines
were dispatched to the Republic of
Panama to-day by this government.
Technically the marines are being
sent to the Canal Zone, raising the
total military strength there to $500
men. Actually they are to see that
no trouble ensues.
The note dispatched by Secretary
of State Hughes warns Panama that
this government can see no reason
for further delay and that the
United States will not further re-
strain Costa Rica from occupying
that part of disputed area which
Panama has been occupying on suf-
ferance for years despite the award
of Chief Justice White granting the
territory to Costa Rica.
The marines embarked at Philadei-
phia on the battleship Pennsylvania.
which, as the last oil-burnine dread
nought in the Atlantic, is being sent to
join the Pacific Fleet. Marines can be
landed anywhere that American in
terests or lives are imperilcd without
any action by Congress, and while the
confident belief here is that Panama
will not make any stout resistance to
the onward movement of Costa Rican
troops, thus backed by the United
States, they will be in readiness.
No Threat Made
The note to Panama makes no such
threat, of course. 1t merely states that
no new arguments have been advanced
by Panama why the old dispute over
this little strip of territory on the Pa
cific side of the isthmus should not bo
ended, and that therefore this govern
ment will not suggest to Costa Rics
that her occupation of this territory
should be delayed any longer
The expectancy is that Costa Rica.
which has been restive about the re-
fusal of Panama to agree to the award
since prior to the breaking out of the
World War in 1914. will at once move
to occupy the disputed territory. IN
the full realization that the United
States has marines waiting few miles
further south at the Canal Zone. il is
not believed here that there will be
any serious fighting, but that the oc-
cupation will be accomplished rather
peacefully.
The two countries years ago referred
their dispute to Chief Justice White for
settlement. After a profound inquiry
the Justice decided the dispute in favor
Of Costa Rica, establishing line from
the Pacific Ocean inland Before adj
vantage was taken OF this decision
several things happened. The war
broke out IN Europe, and just after
Americas entry in that conflict a revo-
luton broke out IN Costa Rica. The
revolution never amounted to much, be-
cause there was no resistance and Gen
eral Tinoco was installed rs President
of Costa Rca
Wilson's Attitude
A curious situation then developed
President Wilson was strorgly against
the Tinoco revolution Tor some reason
which has never been made very clear
even to his own State Department Off
cials. Al any rate, the Tinoco regime
was never recognized by this govern
ment, and finally a counter revolution
drove Tinoco from Office. During all
this time, however, the United States
government, not recognizing Tinoco,
would make no move to coerce Panama
into accepting the White decision, and
Tinoco feared to start war with
Panama because he believed Wilson
would welcome the opportunity to inter
vene and throw him out.
Immediately after the inauguration
of President Harding both Costa Rica,
now with a new government, and Pan
anna appeaieo TO Washington. The
President of Panama appealed person
ally to Mr.. Harding for new adjudi-
cation Of the dispute. THIS govern
ment has insisted all along that the
White award should stand. and now
has made it clear that it wants No
more note writing about il.
The dispatch, which was forwarded
to the American Minister at Panama.
is regarded as the final word of this
government as mediator. It is believed
Panama will accede without any further
action. The following is the text OF
the note:
"The government Of the United
States has received the note addressed
by the government of Panama on Ad-
gust TO the American Minister il.
Panama, replying to the communica-
tion handed by the Minister on August
2 to the government Of Panama by in
structions of the government of the
United States in which were trans
mitted two requests Of the government
OF Costa Rica relating to the boundary
dispute between the republics of
Panama and Costa Rica.
"After the most careful consideration
of the statements contained in the note
of the government of Panama above re-
ferred to, this government has reached
the conclusion that the arguments ad-
vanced in this communication have
already been fully answered in pre-
vious notes addressed by the govern
ment of the United States to the gov
ernment of Panama.
cit is greatly regretted that it has
proved to be impossible for the gov
ernments of Panama and Costa Rica
e. L..