Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 132, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1903 — OPENS PANAMA WAR. [ARTICLE]

OPENS PANAMA WAR.

Colombia Sends Big Army to Fight Breeders. Colombia has decided to make war on the seceding State of Panama, which recently declared its independence aud organized itself into the republic of Panama, and Colombian troops are neftv marching across country from Bogota to crush the new government. Gen. Plaza, president of Ecuador, cabled to President Marroquin of Colombia sympathizing with him in the recent events on the Isthmus of Panapaa. President Marroquin replied by thanking Gen. Plaza and adding that Gens. Reyes, Caballeros, Ospinn and Holguin are marching on Panama with a large army to subdue the isthmians. The Colombian minister to Peru has published cablegrams received from his government which say that the Colombian government has taken measures to suppress “the isthmian traitors” and that all parties and all classes have offered the government their lives and properties in defense of the national territory. “Colombia never will recognize Panama as an independent State,” said Jorg Hoglin, acting president. “This government will exhaust its last drop of blood and last cent in putting down the rebellion.” Gen. Reyes left for the coast with a well-equipped army. He anuounced he had le£t behind a force of 100,000 men ready for service. According to a Washington dispatch arrangements have been made to enable the War Department to scud American troops to the Isthmus of Panama to start them for Bogota, if necessary, on twenty-four hours’ notice. Every .army transport in American waters is being got ready for Immediate sea service. Moreover, department commanders have been requested to have ready for instant embarkation, upon the receipt of Orders from Washington, two full regiments of infaptry.