And State Papers 733 



pily 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, mak- 

 ing me desirous of avoiding a conflict so long as the 

 object in view, the protection of American citizens, 

 was not imperiled. 



I am positive that the determined attitude of our 

 men, their coolness and evident intention of stand- 

 ing their ground, had a most salutary and decisive 

 effect on the immediate situation, and was the initial 

 step in the ultimate abandoning of Colon by these 

 troops and their return to Cartagena the following 

 day. Lieutenant-Commander Witzel is entitled to 

 much praise for his admirable work in command on 

 the spot. 



