New-York tribune., 1921-03-04
Costa Ricans
May Involve
u. S. i'm Row
Forces Said To Be ON Wav
to Land on Burica Point,
Near Tract Given Panama
by Chief Justice White
Treaty Would Compel Aid
Anti American Dcmonstra-
tions Reported to Have
Broken Out in Few Cities

PANAMA. March S.--Costa Rican
forces are being rushed to the Coto
district. between this country and
costa Rica. where Panaman and Costa
E;can troops have been engaged in
hostilities, It is said in dispatches to
the government here. A steamer, IL is
declared, has been at Punta Arenas
taking on troops and munitions. and
u Is believed the Costa Ricans plan
to isnd these forces on the eastern
shore Of Burica Point, q projection of
land which marks the Pacific end of
the boundary between Panama and
Costa Rica.
Should this mancuver be carried
cut. the Psnsrian forces which recently
cartured Costa Rican units occupying
Coto, to the northeast, would be in
danger OF being cut of from their
base Of supplies.
Chief significance Of such q move on
the part Of Costa Rica, however, would
appear TO center around the fact that
II would involve the United States,
since the shore east of Burica Point
was given to Panama under the arbi-
trstion ruling OF Chief Justice White.
which was handed down in 1914. 1t has
been understood here that the United
States Department Of State has been
resting upon the Interpretation of
treaties obligating the United States
to protect the territorial integrity Of
Panama.
Act May Involve United States
Another possibility that the United
States may become involved Is found
In reports that Costa Rica is rein
forcing her garrisons at the Atlantic
end Of the frontier. The United Fruit
Company owns extensive banana plan
tstons- and has railroads extending
southerty from Puerto Limon into
Panama. 1t has been learned this cor
porasion viii be almost certain to re-
quest the protection of the United
States troops If Costa Rica should
decide to take over these lines for
military purposes.
Travellers arriving here from Costa
Rtca report snti-Am erican demonstra-
tons in san Jose, Puerto Limon. Car
tago and Herodia on February 27 and
February %. A strict censorship has
been established here. and little is
known CT the movements of Panamau
volunteer forces, but It is learned
shipment OF rifles is expected from
Peru in few days, and that they will
De used for arming newly recruited
forces. The CAPTURE OF another Costa
Rlcan vessel, with 100 men on board.
was officially announced here yesterday.
WASHINGTON March "a memo
randum detailing aPnama's claim to
the Cote territory, seized last week by
costa Rican troops. was presented to-
DAY TO the State Department by Ricardo
J. Alfaro. Psnaran Minister OF Govern
ment and Finance.
Say Conditions Are Quiet
At the same time Mr. Alfaru and
jose Lefevre, Panaman Charge 4 dAf-
fares IN Washington, informed Under
Secretary Davis that their DISPATCHES
indicated conditions in the disputed
territory were more quiet, due to the
american notes to Panama ard Costa
3lca demanding settlement Of the
BOUNDARY dispute By agreement, al
though replies to the notes have not
been received Three attempts by
costa Rican soldiers TO gain posses
sion cf the disputed district had been
repelled. they said.
Reports that Costa Rcan forces
nisnr be landed a Burica Point caused
surprise in government circles here. in
view OF official intimations from Costa
Rica previously that no extension of
operations southwark was contem-
plated It was Indicated, however. tnat
should such a movement develop the
United States could be expected to
take prompt n easures toward com
EsAlne the contending Costa Rican and
Panamanian forces to confne their
operations to the disputed territory
Of Coto.
Costa Rica. 1t was reported, had
.akcn the prscsution to place her case
sefors the governments OF the other
Tour Central American countries, and
Two Of them, Guatemala and Honduras.
nave formally notified the Costa Rican
government of their Endorsement Of