Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-04-09
SENT TO TEE BTHMUS.
An American Naval Force Dis
patched to Paaama.
Ihe First Armed Expedition Sent
Abroad Since l848.

The secretary Of the navy received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Commander Kane, of
the United States ship of war GaIena, sta+
toned at Panama: 'I hold two Of the most
prominent insurgents who assisted iii firing
Aspinwall. I do not think it Is safe to de-
liver them to the Colombian authorizes, who
would permit their escape
Senor Becerra, representing the United
States OF Colombia at Washington, sent the
following dispatch to General Comma at PAN
anna:
Omitted States forces are going to co-ope-
rate in securing free transit and protection Of
American life and property. III they ind
that the Colombian forces are able Of them
selves to attain that object, they win with
draw. I have perfect confidence in the good
faith and upright intentions Of the American
government. Public opinion here IS deeply
irritated at the excesses committed at Colon.
We need energy, repression, and exemplary
Justice, so that we may not be held for the
aforesaid excesses. Report frequently.
He also sent the following to the authorities
at Buenaventura:
:" 1t is important that more forces De sent tc
nation from being held responsible
Secretary Whitney telegraphed as follows
to Rear Admiral James E. Jouett, who sailed
from New Orleans with the United States
steamer Tennessee:
Gin addition to the force under your com
niand in the steamships Tennessee, Swatarn,
Alliance and Galena, all Of which should ba
at Aspinwall upon your arrival, you win be
reinforced by about 200 marines from
despatched from New York by
the steamship City OF Para
with tents and camp equipage. To pro-
vide for contingencies, further supplies
Will be sent at once. The duty you are called
upon to perform calls for the exercise of great
discretion. The object of the expedition IL
the performance by the United States of
their engagement to preserve the neutrality
Of and keep open the transit from Colon to
Panama, and further to protect the lives and
property of American citizens.
"The circumstances as understood from
which the necessity for the expedition has
arisen are in general that steamship belong
ing to Americans has been seized at Colon bv
an armed force, and goods in transit taken
from her, her officers and the American con-
sui imprisoned, and the transit across the
Isthmus interrupted. With the consequences
involved in these past acts you are not con
cerned
'sYour sole duty is confined to seeing that
free and an uninterrupted transit across
the Isthmus is restored and maintained, and
that the lives and property OF American citi
zens are protected.
''If on your arrival at the Isthmus order
shall have been restored, and the Colon
bian authorities are adequate to the pro-
lection Of life and property and the main
tenance of free transit YOU will interfere in
no respect with the constituted authorities
but report and await orders. You have mo
part to perform in the political or social dis
orders of Colombia, and it will be your duty
to see that no irritation or unfrlendllneEs
shall arise from your presence at the 18th
mus. The incidental exercise of humanity
toward American citizens in exigent distress
must be left to your sound discretion
The force of United States marines which
started from the Brooklyn navy yard and
took passage on the Pacific mail steamship
City of Para, comprised $50 officers and men.
Among the women who stood at the nav
yard watching the departing OF troops werc
the wives of officers and the wives of enlisted
men; the tear drops glistened in the eyes OF
all, and they turned away with heavy hearts
The tug which carried the men from the
navy yard steamed down to the City OF Para,
the marines were transferred, and the first
expedition which has left the United States
for service in a foreign land since 1S4S Was
off. The marines went away in a serious
and determined frame of mind, resolved to
uphold the splendid record OF the corps
A Fortress Monroe dispatch says that the
steamer Dispatch with between 500 and 400
sailors and marines on board from the Nor
folk navy yard passed there to intercept the
steamer from New York for Panama or the
capes of Virginia, to which vessel tho men
were to be transferred
The secretary Of the navy, in view Of the
later dispatches regarding the troubles at
Panama, especially one from Commander
Kane, of the Galena, decided to send further
force to the isthmus The dispatches Indicate
continued condition Of disorder. The FOL
lowing is Commander Kane's despatch, dated
Aspinwan
'sVessels now on way to AspinwaII, t0-
gether with force on the Para, viii be suiii-
cient to open and guard transit, if supp0rtad
by two ships at Panama. Without such as4
port, an extra force of 500 men viii be re-
quired. Everything quiet in AspinWall and
all American property as well protected w
my force viii permit. | have 112 officers
and men on shore. My command is safe
and well. Only one foreigner killed 80
far as known. There are about 100 Co
lombian government troops here holding N
large number of prisoners and are rendering
no assistance in preserving order. Railroad
company is affording all possible relief to
refugees and have sent many out on line 0r
road. Transit remains closed. One relief
train reached Panama last night at great
risk, having been stopped by insurgents and
one person forcibly removed Wires to Pan
anna continually being cut.
a further force Of $50 men was thereupon
sent to Panama on a Pacific mail steamer
from New York to cooperate with the pre-
vious force forwarded.