Evening star., 1921-03-05
PANAMA WARFARE
ISSUE IS TAKEN Up
President Harding Confers
With Officials - Costa
RiCans Win Battle.

Hostiiities between Panama and
Costa Rico was the first subject to
occupy the attention today of the
new admins nistration.
President Harding had long con-
ference with his new Secretary OF
State. Charles Evans Hughes. regard
ing the situation, and they called in
John w. Weeks. the new Secretary of
War, who had with him the latest
dispatches as to the conflict between
the Central American republics.
Before calling on the President, Mr.
Hughes discussed the subject at some
length with Undersecretary Davis at
the State Department. Henry p
Fletcher. who is to be the new under
ference, but did not accompany his
chief to the White House.
The Island of zap situation was
understood to have been discussd
between Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Davis al
their conference today. and the new
Secretary was reported to haze ex-
pressed approval OF the action of the
state Department in> the controversy
regarding cable communications at
that island.
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 Presi-
dent.
Panamans Suffer Heavily.
SAN JUAN. DEL Sur. Nicaragua
March 5.-Bocas Del Toro, capital of
the Panaman province of the same
name and situated at the southern
end of Columbus Island, off the east
coast of Panama. has been taken by
Costa Rican forces. Many casualties
were inflicted upon the Panaman
troops, and the Costa Ricans took
$50 prisoners, it is said in reports
reaching here.
Gen. Jorge Folio is marching from
San Jose with 1000 men, to the vicin-
ity of Coto, on the Pacific end of the
frontier, between Costa Rica and
Panama.
Panamans Oner No Resi.tnnce.
PANAMA, March 5.-After crossing
the Sixola river. which forms the
boundary between Costa Rica and
Panama. the Costa Ricans captured
the town of Guabito, and advanced
southwark. reaching Almirante, twenty
miles from the frontier, yesterday
afternoon. Unorganzed Panaman
forces in Almirante evacuated the
town and retreated without opposi-
ton.
a bridge across the Sixola river
v,
has been blown up. it is reported.
National defense measures passed
final reading in the national assembly
yesterday afternoon and will become
laws upon approval by President POr-
ras. They authorize the expenditure
Of national army of whatever
strength the president decides and
the fotation of 100000 internal
loan for ten years at per cent
President Porras has named de-
fense council of five. to which will
be intrusted the selection of men for
the Panaman army.
Many foreigners in Panama are
joining q legion that is being organ
lied by John F. Sheridan. Military
in allegiance. however because of the
lack of arms for the soldiers
Costa Rican ships Captured.
With the capture of three Costa
Rican vessels at Coto. the Panamans
with corresponding arms and equip
ment. They have inflicted about thir-
ty deaths with two Panamars
wounded. and. at present. the Pana-
mans are holding Coto undisputed
American owned banana planta-
tions, criss- crossed by system of
railways. extend from the Sixola riv-
cr toward Almirante. and, in the 9TH
er direction, into Costa Rica Daily
losses are being reported by the plan
tation owners in consequence of the
military operations. as thousands of
laborers have left the region.
Panaman officials have shown much
interest in d message from San Jose
stating that Costa Rica would accept
only IL league of nations settlement
of the controversy. The question has
been raised as to the attitude OF the
United States in this contingency, with
respect to the Monroe doctrine.