Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-04-06
Marines for Panama.
THE LINE OFF rHE RAILWAY To
EEPRGTF CTED BtsT LOCAL. Az
FAIRS TO BE INTACT.
THE 5lTUATION CRITICAL.

I, WASHINGTON, April 5.-The Secre-
tary OF the Navy beid a protrseed con.
ference wifb CommodOres Walker,
schley, Harmony and other chiefs of
bureaus yesterday, respecting he for
waidiDg Of vessels, marines ~ d sup
plies for the protection of American
property on the Isthmus OF Panama.
Speaking of the troubles on the 18TH
mus, Secretary Whitney said 10 day
"r1e United States, by treaty stipu-
iations, having guaranteed the protec-
ton of the line of transit across the
Isthmus Of Panama, and the local gov
ernment being powerless to give that
protection which American interests
demand, the government Is doing moth
ing more than its duty. 1t iS impossi-
BILE to say how long the need Of protec-
ton will last, but an armed force will
be maintained along the line until order
government Is In condition TO ASSERT its
jauth0rity." -1'
The Secretary was very particular 10
have It understood that the present
warlike movement must not be inter-
preted as an alliance with the local
government, and instructions will be
sent to the effect that the authority of
the United Stated is not to be applied
to the re-establishment of the govern
ment in control, but simply to protect
the lives and proper ties OF American
citizens against tho incendiary opera
tions of insurgent forces. 1t will not.
in the present state Of these operations,
be necessary to make any formal re-
cognition of the local governm the
present outbreak being treated as
simply riotous demonstration, in
which American interests are placed
In jeopardy.
THE AVAILABLE FORCE.
In regard to the force Immediately
lavailable the Secretary said : The
force of marines which would be avail
liable and which could be concentrated
!, for service on the Isthmus within two
!, weeks might be put down at I 800. On
| the ships OF the North Atlantic Squad
, ron and at the navyyards on the At
lantic coast there are at least that num-
7 Der. The total force of marines allowed
. by law is 5000. OF this number about
r 500 are on ships at foreign stations.
: There are also 5000 sailors and boys al
lowed by law"
II In answer to the question as to the
, liability of the Navy to meet all the
requirements of the situation the Score
Q tary said that, from the present in.
b ldications, that marines TO bo sent to
j. the Isthmus will meet every probable
9 emergency. The reinforcements al
Q lready sent to Admiral Jouett's
y lsquadron and those which will be sent
on Monday will give him landing
l. party sufficient to guard the line o.
a transit. Further Ieinforcements will
'e be dispatched to the scene of trouble
70 If necessary. There will be no abate
q menJ in the preparations until the
a word comes that entire order Is restored
All The office of Com nlodore Walker, the
IN Chief of the Bureau Of Navigation, and
Il upon whom the details Of the sending
D. forward Of reinforce ments devolves, ii
a scene of great activity. The Commo
lo-e sAss that ----y.ha-se ~ P--e-:.-'. G
satisfactorily and everything will b
ready for the shipment of men and sup
plies on Monday. Fully 60o 10 200 mer
will he ready by that time.
! The marines have made landings q
number of times at Panama and Aspin
wall to protect tho railroad. In our OWE
disturbances, such as the whisky riott
along the lines of railroad, their seIvi'
c's have been utilized. More than one
half of the present officers were in aeT
vice during the late war, and in addi
tion to the veterans of the rank and
file the corps is largely made mp Of
the flower Of the late volunteer army.