Show CAN KEEP TRAFFIC TOFFIC ON ISTHMUS OPEN Colombian Minister Gives As Assurance Assurance to Secretary Hay Haya HayNO J JI JNO 4 a I NO ASSISTANCE WANTED j LITTLE HOOD OF OP UNITED STATES Washington Aug M The Colom Colombian bian minister Dr lva had a confer conference once ence today with Secretary Hay It was the first personal exchange between the secretary and the representative of Colombia since the present p nt disturbance started Dr Silva give g ve Mr Hay in information information Information formation to the effect that traffic on the isthmus was entirely unobstructed god and nd also assured him of th ability of Colombia to keep the traffic open The ministers communication to Sec See Secretary Secretary Hay did not Dot take any formal or written shape shap but was waa an informal dis discussion discussion of ot the situation based on the ministers latest advices adviCe He informed the secretary that a cable dispatch from Bogota sent last Thursday Thur day stated that traffic across acro s the isthmus i was en entirely entirely entirely unobstructed as a result of the efforts of the Colombian authorities He also alao expressed the fullest confidence confidence confidence dence that Colombia was wa able to main maintain maintain tain tam free traffic across the isthmus i So Sa Safar far as the United States State government Js Is s concerned there has been no purpose to exert any military force torce In keeping open Isthmian traffic unless it became perfectly plain that Colombia was waa un unable unable unable able to do so This view was doubt doubtless less ess made known to Dr Silva although the nature of or the exchange is known only in the most moat general way The assurance given by Dr Silva make clear certain features of the sit situation situation situation First there is no obstruction of traffic at the present time Colombia giving official assurance of this and the United States having no advices from its representatives showing an actual stoppage of traffic trac within recent days Second both governments are agreed that the first responsibility for main maintaining taming free traffic is 18 on Colombia and that the United States Is not called upon to act until Colombia finds her herself herself self unable to fulfill ful II the primary re responsibility responsibIlity responsibility Third the United States undoubted undoubtedly ly y v will ill Judge for Itself when any occa occasion occasion occasion sion arises for exercising its authority on the isthmus It Is not essential e to await a request or notice from Colom Colombia Colombia bia bla although such a communication undoubtedly would receive the fullest consideration The actual conditions as to whether traffic is open or closed will determine finally whether there Is any occasion for the exercise e of force by the United States But Precautionary Measures Although the foregoing is not an of official official official statement yet It is believed to cover the main maln questions involved at atthe atthe atthe the present time It discloses that the movement of our warships southward has been merel a precautionary meas measure measure ure nrc to look after American interests In case of an actual obstruction of traffic traffic traffic fic and that the situation as it exists does not call for am ax exercise of any American authority on the th isthmus When seen after his visit to the state department Dr Silva Sliva expressed him himself himself himself self as highly satisfied with assurance given him by Mr Hay that the United States would not take a hand in af affairs affairs affairs fairs on the isthmus unless a request came from the Colombian govern t itself or else the need of ot intervention became so apparent as to make a re request request request quest unnecessary The minister stated that some time ago he Informed his government that the United States Stat would not put Into operation the treaty provision for keeping open traffic on the he Isthmus unless Colombia found her herself herself herself self unable to do so 80 He says his In Interview IntervIew interview with Mr Hay strengthened this view of affairs and aDd he advised ed his government of the entirely disinterest disinterested ed purposes of the United States and andor of its ts purpose not to act so 90 long as traffic across the isthmus remains unobstructed ed edIt It was stated at the th navy nav department today that the battleship hip Iowa now at San Francisco will probably sail san for Panama tomorrow morning The Iowa Tows is undergoing repairs to her boilers boBers This work is being pushed with all pos possible possible sible expedition In order that there shall shan be as little delay as possible in her trip southward Secretary Hay will leave for Canton In a day or so probably tomorrow It Its ItIs Itis Is s said at the tate state department that more significance Is attached to the visit to the president than the facts warrant Although It is quite evident that the visit will give an opportunity for or going over the disturbed conditions in n South America the Chinese situa situation situation situation tion and other pending international questions yet there is i reason to be believe believe lieve that the meeting has no special reference to any of these the e topics but is ismore ismore Ismore more with a view to affording opportunity for a general exchange between the Jie president and the secretary of state |