And State Papers 737 



Torres by the representatives of the new Govern- 

 ment at Colon, with a view to inducing him to re- 

 embark in the Cartagena and return to the port of 

 Cartagena, and it was in answer to this proposition 

 that Colonel Torres made the threat and took the 

 action reported in my letter No. 96, of November 

 5, 1903. The Cartagena left the port just after the 

 threat was made, and I did not deem it expedient 

 to attempt to detain her, as such action would cer- 

 tainly, in the then state of affairs, have precipitated 

 a conflict on shore which I was not prepared to meet. 

 It is my understanding that she returned to Carta- 

 gena. After the withdrawal of the Colombian 

 troops on the evening of November 4, and the re- 

 turn of the Nashville's force on board, as reported 

 in my letter No. 96, there was no disturbance on 

 shore, and the night passed quietly. On the morn- 

 ing of the 5th I discovered that the commander of 

 the Colombian troops had not withdrawn so far 

 from the town as he had agreed, but was occupying 

 buildings near the outskirts of the town. I imme- 

 diately inquired into the matter and learned that he 

 had some trivial excuse for not carrying out his 

 agreement, and also that it was his intention to oc- 

 cupy Colon again on the arrival of the alcalde due 

 at 10.45 A.M., unless General Tobal sent word by 

 the alcalde that he, Colonel Torres, should with- 

 draw. That General Tobal had declined to give 

 any instructions I was cognizant of, and the situa- 

 tion at once became quite as serious as on the day 

 previous. I immediately landed an armed force, 

 reoccupied the same building; also landed two i- 

 15 VOL. XIV 



