The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-08-09
THE GUNB0aI MACHlAS TO BE SENT
TO COLOMBIAN WATERS.
TO PROTECT FOREIGN INTERESTS
Report from Consul Gudger OF tho
Detention by the Insurgents OF n
Trans-Isthmian Train-Operation or
This Line Guaranteed by Our Gov
ernment-Precedent In such Case Es-
tablished In 1SS5-American Forces
Then Landed and a Hand Taken In
Suppressing the Revolution.

Washington, August An order
was issued by the acting secretary of
the navy today for the gunboat Machi-
as, now at the Boston navy yard, to
proceed without delay to Hampton
Roads and there to prepare for de-
parture to Colon, near the eastern
terminus of the Panama railroad.
At the navy yard it is explained that
this movement has been ordered with
a view of having the Machias take OBJ
servations in the vicinity of the 18TH
department it was officially stated that
1T is deemed needful that United
States war vessel>be in that vicinity
at this time"
The order to the Machias followed
the conference held at the navy depart
ment between acting Secretary of State
Adee and acting Secretary of Navy
Hackett. Mr.. Adee had the dispatch
received from Consul Gudger last night,
stating that the revolutionists had held
up a train for an hour at Marachin on
the line of the railroad across the 18TH
mus and only about fifteen miles from
Panama city.
While this was not regarded as threat
ening an interruption of traffic Civ
ing ground for Intervention by the
United States, yet it was deemed ad-
visable by the officials that one of our
ships should be in the neighborhood in
order that suitable observations could
be made and steps taken to meet any
serious emergency that might arise.
For the present officials do not believe
there will be any need of landing ma
rines. The commander. Of the Machias,
Lieutenant Commander Mason Sar-
CANT, is regarded as an officer of tact
and ability and beside this he has had
recent experience in West Indian wa
ters, having been in command of the
Scorpion when she made her recent
trip to Laguayra to keep watch on
American interests in Venezuela.
The Machias is a gunboat of 1,177
tons displacement, with twin screws
and good steam capacity. She has
eight 4-inch guns in her main battery,
six rapid fires and one automatic gun.
Her run to the isthmus depends some
what on the length of her stay at
Hampton roads but it is believed she
will be ready to proceed with little or
no delay, in which case the trip will
take about ten days or two weeks.
The position of the United States as
| Isthmus of Panama was fully defined
| in 1885 wheQ extensive naval opera
| tionS were carried on there. An out
| break somewhat similar to the present
| one occurred early in the year-and the
| insurgents captured Panama and burn
| ed AspinwalL
| The North Atlantic Squadron, under
Rear Admiral Jouett, was sent to the
| iSthmuS. At the same time the navy
| dQna rfmanf sent an QynpdifiOnary force
| from New York, consisting Of $50 sea
men and marines, commanded by Com
| mander B. H. McCalla and includine
| three Gatlings and three 3-inch rifie6
| guns. Admiral Jouett arrived at tht
| isthmus April 10th, and at once landed
| the marines and issued orders to opeI
| transit across the isthmus. Two armor
ed cars, fitted with HowitZers, Gatling'
| and Hotchkiss guns were sent over th'
| line, clearing the way and making th'
| entire transit. Garrisons of marine.
were placed at Aspinwall and Matachin
the latter place being where the revolu
tionists have now held up a train. &C
cording to Consul Gudger's dispatcl
Of yesterday.
Commander McCalla's expedition es
tablished headquarters at Panama
Here the revolutionary leader, Aizpuru
was in full control, and was expecting
battle with the Colombian army. Com
mander McCalla acted energeticall
and, gathering his full force. occupie
Panama on April 24th, arrested AiZpur
and the other leaders and held ther
prisoners until an agreement was sign
ed that fighting should not take plac
within the city. Three days later tn
| Colombian army arrived and at con
ference between the government gener
ais. Aizpuru. and Admiral Jouett, tn
insrgents capitulated- All of the Unite
States forces were then withdrawn an
were back in New York on May 18th.
The present trouble on the isthmu
is far less formidable han that OF 1Ss'
but the procedure is made clear in cas-
the insurgents obstruct traffic.
There is no present purpose Of send
| ing ship down from the Pacific sid
Il Charged With Numbering a Girl
Wheeling, W. Va. August 7.-Joh
| Cline and Clayton Rodgers were arres,