New-York tribune., 1921-03-06
Action Aiming at Imme.
diate Suspension Of Hos
tilities Is Taken After
White House Meeting
Another Warship
Sent to Isthmus
Rear Admiral Bryan Is
Given Full Authority to
Protect L. S. Interests

WASHINGTON, March . {By
The Associated Press .-Cessation
of hostilities between Costa Rica and
Panama is demanded in identic
notes which it was learned tonight
at the State Department had been
dispatched to-day to the govern
ments of those two countries by
Charles Evans Hughes, the new Sec
retsry of State.
This action was the first Of the
Harding Administration in the realm
of foreign affairs, and was said to
have been based on the grounds of
broad expediency, as the dispute be.
tween the Central American raps,b-
lies involved American intstests in
the Panama Canal Zone.
A peaceful solution Of the dispute
over the territory Of Coto on the
basis Of the White award is under
stood TO have been suggested. The
notes did not suggest mediation by
the United States, but were under
stood to have conveyed the impress
sion that this country stood ready to
enforce, if necessary. peaceful
solution.
Action Follows Conference
Dispatch Of the notes followed ex-
tended conferences among President
Harding, Secretary Hughes and John
W. Weeks and Edwin DENLY, the new
secretaries of War and Navy. Mr..
Hughes took Up the subject OF the dis
pute with uuder Secretary Davis i'm
medlately after his induction into Of
tee and later passed nearly two hours
with Mr.. Harding at the White House.
Secretary Weeks was called in soon
after the conference began and present
ed latest dispatches from the canal
Zone as to the situation. Mr.. DENLY
discussed the question later with the
President
Rica to the notes dispatched several
days ago by former Secretary Colby
were received to-day at the State De-
partment: That from Panama was
said to have expressed Il willingness
to accept the offer of the good Offices
of the United States in attempting to
settle the dispute, but the one from
Costa Rica was described as unsatis-
factory. It was received contem-
government still was sending troops
into the disputed territory.
1t was said that the American gov
ernment had no official information
that either Panama or Costa Rica in
tended TO submit the dispute to the
League of Nations. as reported in
press dispatches from Central America
and Paris. To-day's action of the
State Department it was added, was
taken without reference to such re-
ports.
Previous Action Approved
President Harding and his advisers
were said to have given their approval
of the steps already taken TO protect
American interests III the zone of hos
tilities. and indicated that unless the
two American warships now on their
way south proved adequate to accom-
plish that purpose larger force might
follow them.
President Harding has taken keen
personal interest in the situation, and
was said to be anxious to see every
thing possible done TO restore peace.
Because of his recent visit to Panama
and the Canal Zone, II was said he feels
that he might be in peculiar position
to reestablish concord
When Mr.. Hughes left the White
House he said there was nothing TO be
given out; that he had discussed a
number of subjects with the President.
Secretary Daniels, before he sur
rendered Office to Mr.. Denby, said the
gunboat Sacramento had been ordered
to Almirante in compliance with the
request for warships, and that Rear
Admiral Bryan, commanding the Spe-
cial Service Squadron, had been in
structed to protect American lives and
property ii necessary with whatever
force he needed.
The Island Of zap situation also was
understood to have been discussed be-
tween Mr. Hughes and Mr. Davis, and
the new Secretary was reported to have
expressed approval of the action of the
State Department in the controversy
regarding cable communications 1T that
island.
After his return TO the State Depart
ment Mr.. Hughes conferred with vari-
Gus officers of the American di-
| vision, who presented reports as 10 the
trouble between Panama and Costa
kica.