Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-02
Two Hundred Marines 20 Leave Brook.
lynn for AsptnWall TO-NOrroW.

Two Hundred Marines to Leave Brook
lynn for AsPtnwail To-Norrow.
ANOTHER DISPATCH FROM COMMANDER KANr-
NAVAL OFFICERS VOLUNTEERING FOR SER
VICE ON THE ETHMrs - BADLY ARMED
SAILORS.
Secretary whitney to-day received the fol-
lowing telegram nom the president OF the
Pacific Mail steamship company at New York,
regarding the number OF men ne is able to take
TO Aspinwall: "we can carry 200 men I'm City
of Para tomorrow at noon and 600 in the Aca-
pulco next Monday" Secretary Whitney re-
piled: "We will ship 600 men by your steamer
tomorrow noon, with tents and camp co uipage.
The Tennessee, with Admiral Jouett, will leave
New Orleans probably to-day with extra COM
plement OF marines for Aspinwall, and with
extra provisions. This will place four ships and
between 400 and 500 available men at Aspin-
wall for land service. AS TO Mondays steamer
will communicate hereafter"
The men will be taken from the Brooklyn
In reply to telegram to Commander Kane.
OF the Galena, that officer telegraphed to the
Steamship property safe and in my possession;
a !, railroad property at north end OF island.
II is advisable to send another vessel.
EXCITEMENT AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
There was quite an excitement at the Navy
department this morning when il was learned
that the Secretary of the Navy intended 10 take
active steps to protect American interests on
the Isthm9s of Panama. A number of naval
expedition, and the whole Washington
naval contingent expressed the keenest
interest int +. in the expected opportunity
An those who Volunteered. however. were not
chosen, but the naval board OF detail in its daily
view of detailing the most suitable officers who
are available Major Charles Haywood, Of the
marine corps, who is in charge of the marine
a rlx-rN 1nx- hmm Hot,
charge of the marines. A naval officer OF rank.
however will probably be detailed to command
the expedition.
POORLY ARMED SAILORS.
A naval officer in conversing with n STAR re-
porter to-day on the subject said: at is a sub
ject of regret among naval officers that the
sailors who will undoubtedly form part OF the
forces to be landed on the Isthmus will not be
as well armed as the marines or even the
forces that they will have to contend with.
Their arms consist of the short magazine guns,
Springfield rifles. Neither are they supplied
with bayonets. They viii fight hard though,
II 1t comes to figting."
TO COMMAND THE MARINES.
Commander Bowman H. McCalla and Lieut..
I. b. NJ Mason, both on duty in the Navy de-
partment, have been ordered to accom-
pany the 900 men who sail from New
York tomorrow for the Isthnfus OF Panama.
Commander McCalla will be in command OF
the land forces, aud Lieut.. Mason. of the artil-
lery. Lieut.. Chas. +. Emmerick and Ensign
John Gibson have been selected for similar
duty, but will probably accompany the forces
to be sent later
THE SCENE OF THE TROUBLE
Lieutenant Rodgers, OF the navy. who recent
ly returned from Aspinwall, says the town con-
tains between five and ten thousand people. 1t
is constructed on an island and contains two
principal thoroughfares along one OF which the
Panama railroad runs One street contains the
business houses and hotels, built OF stone: the
other some business houses and residences, the
n G. cnfN d nha
Indians occupy buildings grouped in another
portion of the island. There are two or three
hundred Americans ia the place, employed at
the docks and in the store houses. The docks,
Lieutenant Rodgers says, are valuable prop
erty, as is also an extensive English store house,
built OF stone. This house, together with the
docks, with the exception of that occupied by
the Pacific mail company, were destroyed. Tn
til the construction OF the railroad Aspinwall
was nothing but an Indian village.
THE ACTION OF THE CABINET.
An informal meeting of the cabinet was held
at the White House last evening to consider the
course to pursue with reference to the Aspin-
wall troubles, when it was decided that while
this government is not called upon TO take cog
nizance ofinternal broils at Panama, yet it has
by treaty guaranteed free and uninterrupted
transit across the isthmus. Secretary Whitney
therefore teiegraphed orders last night to the
commandment ofthe Brooklyn navy yard 10 get
all the available marines at the yard in readiness
for immediate departure. and TO provide also
some Calling guns and men to handle them.
He also telegraphed to the president OF the
Pacific mail company at New York that
the government proposes to have the transit
from Panama to Colon open, requesting d.
lay of the company's steamer for few days TO
receive a shipment of armed men, and asking
how many men could be taken.
Secretary Whitney also telegraphed Capt.
Kane, of the Galena, at Colon, and Consul
Adamson, at Panama, for further Information
as TO the condition of the railroad and steam
ship property, and whether transit across the
isthmus remains open. He said last night that
If their replies to these dispatches confirm
present advices the men and guns from the
Brooklyn navy yard will be forwarded imme-
diately.
Press kilograms from Panama via Galveston
state that communication with Colon is re-
opened. Fighting in Colon commenced on the
31st of March. Prestan, when he saw that de-
feat was inevitable, made his escape. Many of
bis men were killed or captured. The town by
this time was in flames Everything was swept
away save a few Panama railroad buildings on
the north beach. The suffering is intense. No
water nor food is to be had. Three ears loaded
with supplies were TO leave last night. Many
OF the citizens are utterly ruined. Al is quiet
in Panama. Aizpuru will send troops TO hold
Colon and prevent the expected piliage.