| | 1 | Author: | Roosevelt
Theodore
1858-1919 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Addresses and Presidential Messages of Theodore Roosevelt, 1902-1904  | | | | Published: | 2003 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | Dear Excellency: I inclose a memorandum by way of
reply to that which you did me the honor to leave with me on
Saturday, and am, as ever, The President in his message of the 3d of December, 1901,
used the following language: I communicated to Mr. Hay this morning the substance of
Your Lordship's telegram of the 11th instant. In accordance with the letter of the Civil Service Commission
of July 6th, the Public Printer will reinstate Mr.
W. A. Miller in his position. Meanwhile I will withhold
my final decision of the whole case until I have received
the report of the investigation on Miller's second communication,
which you notify me has been begun to-day,
July I3th. In connection with my letter of yesterday I call attention
to this judgment and award by the Anthracite Coal
Strike Commission in its report to me of March 18th last: Travellers from Panama report the Isthmus alive with fires
of a new revolution. It is inspired, it is believed, by men
who, in Panama and Colon, have systematically engendered
the pro-American feeling to secure the building of the Isthmian
Canal by the United States. You are directed to protest against any act of hostility
which may involve or imperil the safe and peaceful transit
of persons or property across the Isthmus of Panama. The
bombardment of Panama would have this effect, and the
United States must insist upon the neutrality of the Isthmus
as guaranteed by the treaty. Notify all parties molesting or interfering with free transit
across the Isthmus that such interference must cease and that
the United States will prevent the interruption of traffic upon
the railroad. Consult with captain of the Iowa, who will be
instructed to land marines, if necessary, for the protection of
the railroad, in accordance with the treaty rights and obligations
of the United States. Desirable to avoid bloodshed, if
possible. "Ranger," Panama: Everything is conceded. The United States guards and
guarantees traffic and the line of transit. To-day I permitted
the exchange of Colombia troops from Panama to Colon,
about 1000 men each way, the troops without arms in train
guarded by American naval force in the same manner as other
passengers; arms and ammunition in separate train, guarded
also by naval force in the same manner as other freight. Have sent this communication to the American consul at
Panama: Sir: Pending a complete report of the occurrences of the
last three days in Colon, Colombia, I most respectfully invite
the Department's attention to those of the date of Wednesday,
November 4, which amounted to practically the making of war
against the United States by the officer in command of the
Colombian troops in Colon. At i o'clock P.M. on that date
I was summoned on shore by a preconcerted signal, and on
landing met the United States consul, vice-consul, and Colonel
Shaler, the general superintendent of the Panama Railroad.
The consul informed me that he had received notice from, the
officer commanding the Colombian troops, Colonel Torres,
through the prefect of Colon, to the effect that if the Colombian
officers; Generals Tobal and Amaya, who had been seized
in Panama on the evening of the 3d of November by the Independents
and held as prisoners, were not released by 2
o'clock P.M., he, Torres, would open fire on the town of
Colon and kill every United States citizen in the place, and
my advice and action were requested. I advised that all the
United States citizens should take refuge in the shed of the
Panama Railroad Company, a stone building susceptible of
being put into good state for defence, and that I would immediately
land such body of men, with extra arms for arming the
citizens, as the complement of the ship would permit. This
was agreed to and I immediately returned on board, arriving
at 1.15 P.M. The order for landing was immediately given,
and at 1.30 P.M. the boats left the ship with a party of 42 men
under the command of Lieut. Commander H. M. Witzel, with
Midshipman J. P. Jackson as second in command. Time
being pressing I gave verbal orders to Mr. Witzel to take the
building above referred to, to put it into the best state of defence
possible, and protect the lives of the citizens assembled
there—not firing unless fired upon. The women and children
took refuge on the German steamer Marcomania and Panama
Railroad steamer City of Washington, both ready to haul out
from dock if necessary. The Nashville I got under way and
patrolled with her along the water front close in and ready to
use either small-arm or shrapnel fire. The Colombians surrounded
the building of the railroad company almost immediately
after we had taken possession, and for about one and a
half hours their attitude was most threatening, it being seemingly
their purpose to provoke an attack. Happily our men
were cool and steady, and while the tension was very great no
shot was fired. At about 3.15 P.M. Colonel Torres came into
the building for an interview and expressed himself as most
friendly to Americans, claiming that the whole affair was a
misapprehension and that he would like to send the alcalde of
Colon to Panama to see General Tobal and have him direct
the discontinuance of the show of force. A special train was
furnished and safe-conduct guaranteed. At about 5.30 P.M.
Colonel Torres made the proposition of withdrawing his troops
to Monkey Hill, if I would withdraw the Nashville's force and
leave the town in possession of the police until the return of
the alcalde on the morning of the 5th. After an interview
with the United States consul and Colonel Shaler as to the
probability of good faith in the matter, I decided to accept
the proposition and brought my men on board, the disparity
in numbers between my force and that of the Colombians,
nearly ten to one, making me desirous of avoiding a conflict
so long as the object in view, the protection of American
citizens, was not imperilled. Sir: | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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