[Translation.] SECNAV, Washington, D. C.: COLON, October 15, 1903. Report is current to the effect that a revolution has broken out in the State of Cauca. Everything is quiet on the Isthmus unless a change takes place. On this account there is no necessity to remain here. Do not think it necessary to visit St. Andrews Island. HUBBARD, Commanding Officer U. S. S. Nashville. SECNAV, Washington, D. C.: [Translation.] COLON, November 3, 1903. Receipt of your telegram of November 2 is acknowledged. Prior to receipt this morning about 400 men were landed here by the Government of Colombia from Cartagena. No revolution has been declared on the Isthmus and no disturbances. Railway company have declined to transport these troops except by request of the governor of Panama. Request has not been made. It is possible that movement may be made to-night at Panama to declare independence, in which event I will (message mutilated here) here. Situation is most critical if revolutionary leaders act. * * * [Translation.] HUBBARD. SECNAV, Washington: COLON, November 4, 1903. Provisional government was established at Panama Tuesday evening; no organized opposition. Governor of Panama, General Tobar, General Amaya, Colonel Morales, and three others of the Colombian Government troops who arrived Tuesday morning taken. prisoner at Panama. I have prohibited transit of troops now here across the Isthmus. HUBBARD. COLON November 4, 1903. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, D. C.: Government troops yet in Colon. Have prohibited transportation of troops either direction. No interruption of transit as yet. Will make every effort to preserve peace and order. SECNAV, Washington, D. C.: HUBBARD. COLON, November 4, 1903. I have landed force to protect the lives and property of American citizens here against threats Colombian soldiery. I am protecting water front with ship. I can not possibly send to Panama until affairs are settled at Colon. HUBBARD. ACAPULCO, MEXICO, November 4, 1903. SECRETARY NAVY, Washington, D. C.: Marblehead and Concord to Panama to-day 4 p. m.; Wyoming will follow to-morrow afternoon. If Boston is to go with squadron, I would suggest Department will order her to rendezvous off Cape Mala, Colombia, about 6 p. m., on November 9. I have ordered Nero to Acapulco. I will leave sealed orders for her to proceed without delay to Panama unless otherwise directed. SECNAV, Washington, D. C.: GLASS. COLON, November 5, 1903-9.41 a. m. British man-of-war Amphion is protecting American interests at Panama. Reported bombardment much exaggerated. HUBBARD. COLON, November 5, 1903-9.45 a. m. SECNAV, Washington, D. C.: Have withdrawn force landed Wednesday afternoon. No bloodshed. I do not apprehend difficulty of any serious nature. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, D. C.: HUBBARD. COLON, November 5, 1903. Situation here this morning again acute. Have deemed advisable to reland force. SECNAV, Washington: [Translation.] HUBBARD. COLON, November 5. Atlas Line's steamer, with large body of troops, reported sailing from Cartagena, Colombia. HUBBARD. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., Colon, November 6, 1903. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington, D. C.: All quiet. Independents declare Government established as Republic of Panama. Have withdrawn marines. SECNAV, Washington: DELANO. COLON, November 6, 1903-9.15 a. m. Arrived Thursday evening; landed force. Following conditions prevailing: Just before landing all the troops of Colombia have left for R. M. S. P. Company's steamer Orinoco for Cartagena. Independent party in possession of Colon, Panama, and railroad line. Nashville withdrawn force. SECNAV, Washington: DELANO. [Translation.] PANAMA, November 7, 1903-7.40 p.m. All quiet; traffic undisturbed; message to prevent received. The British consul and the minister of war of the provisional government fear seizure of two British steamers at Buenaventura to transport troops convoyed by gunboat. Prevailed upon minister to dispatch gunboat, fearing possible destruction British steamers. The landing of troops in the territory within the limit under my control will cause prolonged campaign. Instructions from the Department are requested. DIEHL. SECNAV: PANAMA, November 10, 1903. Your telegram of the 9th of November to the Boston acknowledged. No interference British vessels yet. Report seems to be well founded that the steamship Bogota sailed from Buenaventura yesterday afternoon with 1,000 for Rio Dulce. Have sent Concord to patrol in that vicinity in order to prevent landing. Everything is quiet at Panama. GLASS. No. 12. PRESIDENT'S SECOND MESSAGE GIVING CORRESPONDENCE ON REVOLUTION ON THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. [House Document No. 8, part 2, Fifty-eighth Congress, first session.] REVOLUTION ON THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE RECENT REVOLUTION ON THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. [November 27, 1903: Read; referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed.] To the House of Representatives: In response to a resolution of the House of Representatives of November 9, 1903, requesting the President "to communicate to the House, if not, in his judgment, incompatible with the interests of the public service, all correspondence and other official documents relating to the recent revolution on the Isthmus of Panama," I transmit herewith copies of additional papers on the subject which have been received subsequent to the resolution referred to. WHITE HOUSE, Washington, November 27, 1903. The PRESIDENT: THEODORE ROOSEVELT. The Secretary of State, to whom was referred a copy of the resolution of the House of Representatives of November 9, 1903, requesting copies of all correspondence and other official documents relating to the recent revolution on the Isthmus of Panama, has the honor to lay before the President copies of additional correspondence on the subject received subsequent to the resolution referred to. Respectfully submitted. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 24, 1903. No. 464.] JOHN HAY. CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. FRANCIS B. LOOMIS, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to say that on the 5th instant I received from the Committee of the Provisional Government a circular letter (No. 1), dated November 4, 1903, informing me that Panama had dissolved its political relations with the Republic of Colombia and requesting me to acknowledge receipt of circular. Inclosed please find translation of circular letter, marked "A." I immediately cabled the department the contents of said circular letter, and upon receipt of the department's cable instructing me to acknowledge receipt of circular and await instructions, I wrote acknowledging same. Please find copy of my letter, marked "B." On receipt of the two telegrams from the department in regard to entering into relations with the local authorities here, being satisfied that there was a de facto government established, and as there was no opposition to same in the State of Panama, I wrote on the morning of the 7th to the committee, informing them that they would be held responsible for the protection of the persons and property of American citizens, as well as responsible for carrying out treaty obligations, in accordance with treaties in regard to isthmian territory. Inclosed please find copy of my letter, marked "C." On the afternoon of the 8th instant I received a letter from the minister of foreign relations, saying that the Republic of Panama would protect American citizens and their property, as well as to carry out all treaty obligations in regard to isthmian territory. Inclosed find translation of letter, marked "D." I am, sir, your obedient servant, FELIX EHRMAN, United States Vice Consul General. CIRCULAR A. [Translation.] REPUBLIC OF PANAMA, PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. SIR: We have the honor of informing you, for your knowledge and that of the Government which you represent, that in this date a political movement has taken place by which the former department of Panama is separated from the Republic of Colombia, in order to constitute a new state under the name of "Republic of Panama," and that those who subscribe themselves have received the honor of being designated to form the Committee of the Provisional Government of the Republic. We beg you to kindly acknowledge receipt and accept the sentiments of consideration, which it is pleasing to subscribe ourselves. Your attentive servants, J. A. ABANGO. The CONSUL GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, Pte. B. PANAMA, November 5, 1903. Messrs. J. A. ARANGO, TOMAS ARIAS, and FEDERICO BOYD, Committee of the Provisional Government, Panama. SIRS: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your circular letter No. 1, dated November 4, 1903. I am, sirs, very respectfully, yours, 42112-S. Doc. 474, 63-2-24 FELIX EHRMAN, United States Vice Consul General. |