New-York tribune., 1901-08-08
GCNBOAT FOR COLOMBIA.
THE MAcHIAs ORDERED TO PROCEED
WITHOUT DELAY TO CoLoN-IN-
TERVENTION UNLIKELY.

washington. Aug. An order was issued by
the Acting Secretary Of the Navy to-day for the
g,,nboat Machias. at the Boston Navy
yard 10 proceed without delay TO Hampton
Roads. and there 10 prepare for departure TO
Colon. near the eastern terminus Of the Panama
Railroad.
AT the Navy Department it is explained that
this movement has been ordered with view of
having the Machias take observations in the
vicinity Of the isthnlus. In announcing the ac-
tion Of the department it was officially stated
that 1T is deemed needful that a United States
,-ar vessel be I'm that vicinity at this time
The order to the Machias followed a confer
ence held the Navy Department between Mr..
Adee. Acting Secretary of State and Mr.. Hack
EFT Acting Secretary of the Navy. Mr.. Adee
had the dispatch received from Consul Gudger
last night, saying that the revolutonists had
held up a train for an hour at Matachin, on the
line of the railroad across the isthmus and only
about fifteen miles from Panama City. While
this was not regarded as threa tening inter
ruption of traffic giving any ground for inter-
yention by the United States. yet IL was deemed
advisable by the officials that one Of our ships
should be in the neiehborhood. in order that
suita bic observa tions could be made and steps
taken 10 meet any serious emergency that
might arise. For the present. officials do not
believe there Will be any need of landing ma
apt-Commander Nathan Sergent. is regarded
as an officer Of tact and ability. and, besides
This he has had recent experience in West In
d,an waters having been in command Of the
scorpion when she made her recent trip TO La
r,uayra TO keep watch on American interests In
Venezuela
The Machias Is a gunboat OF l117 tons dis
r,oceroent. with twin screws and good steam
capacity. She has eight 4-inch guns in her main
battery six rapid fire guns and one automauc
gun Her run the isthmus depends some
what on the length Of her stay AT Hampton
Roads. but II is believed she Will be ready TO
nrooeed with little or no delay in which case
the trip viii take about ten days or two weeks
The attitude of the United States as TO main
.oir,np free traffic across the Isthmus Of Pana-
ma vas fully defined in 1855. when extensive
naval orerations were carried on there An out
hreak somewhat similar to the present one .oc-
Cured early in the year. and the insurgents
captured Panama and burned Colon. Mhen
traffic became effectually blocked, the Unlteo
States determined TO act and the North Atlantc
Souadron under Rear-Admiral Jouett, was sent
10 the isthmus. At the same time the Navy
Departnlent sent an eXpeditionary force from
New-YOrk consisting Of 100 seamen and ma
-ines commanded by Commander B. n NC
Gala and including three Gathngs ana three
3-inch rifed guns Admiral Jouett arrived al
The isthrnus on April TO- and at once landed ma
Tines and issued orders to open transit across
the isthrnus Two armored cars. fitted with
hoV-irzers Gatling and Hotchkiss guns, were
sent over the line, clearing the way and making
the entire transit. Garrisons OF marines were
rlaced al Colon and Matachin. the latter
place being where the revolutionists have now
held I'D q train according 10 Consul Gudgers
dispatch OF Yesterday. Commander McCalla's
expedition established headquarters at Panama
Here Aizpuru the revolutionary leader, was IN
fun control and was erecting barricades, ex-
recting battle with the Colombian army. Com
uander McCaua acted energetically. and, gath
ering his full force, occupied Panama on April
"a arrested AiZpUru and the other leaders, and
held them prisoners until an agreement was
signed that fighting should not take place within
the city. Three days later the Colombian army
arrived, and q conference between the gov
eminent generals. AiZpuTu and Admiral Jouett
the insurgents capitulated. All Of the United
States forces were then withdrawn and were
back in New-York on May 16. The Secretary OF
the Navy in reporting the incident pointed out
that the action Of the navy was carefully con-
fined 10 enforcing treaty stipulations for free
transit across the isthmus, and that our inter
ference ceased the moment this object had been
ACCOMPLISHED. President CleVeland's message to
Congress and the correspondence Of Secretary
Bayard also made clear that the sole purpose Of
the United States in employing force was 70
fulfil its guarantee under the treaty OF 1916 10
keep the transit open across the isthmus.
The present trouble the isthmus is far less
formidable than that OF 1855 but the procedure
IS made clear in case the insurgents obstruct
traffic There is present purpose OF sending
z ship down from the Pacific side