The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-08
MERELY 70 LOOK on
Gunboat Machias Is Speedily
Dispatched TO Colon
IN CASE OF NECESSITY
Acting Officials Having Grand
Time at Washington.

Washington. Aug. IAN order was IS
sued by the acting secretary Of the navy
today for the gunboat Machias. now at
the Boston navy yard, to proceed with
out delay to Hampton Roads. and there
to prepare for departure to Colon, near
the eastern terminus Of the Panama rail-
road.
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
Isthmus
In announcing the action of the depart
ment it was officially stated that ct is
deemed needful that United States war
vessel be in that vicinity at this time"
The order 20 the Machias followed a
conference held at the navy department
between Acting Secretary of the State
Adee and Acting Secretary Of the Navy
HacBett. Mr.. Adee had the dispatch re-
ceived from Consul Gudger last night,
stating that the revolutoinists had held
UP a train for an hour at Marchin on the
line of the railroad across the Isth1aus
and only about five miles from Panama
City. Will this was not regarded as
threatening an interruption Of traffic, or
giving any 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 neiehbcrhood IN
order that suitable observations could be
made, and steps taken to meet any seri-
Gus emergency that might arise. For the
present officials do not believe there will
be any need of landing marines. The
commander of the Machias Lieutenant
Commander Mason Sergeant is regarded
IS an officer Of tact and ability and, be-
sides this. he has had recent experience
in West Indian waters. having been in
command Of the scorpion when she made
her recent trip to La Guira to keep watch
on American interests in Venezuela
The Machiss is a gunbcat Of 1,177 tons
displacement, with twin screws and good
steam capacity. She has eight four-inch
guns IN her main battery, six rapid-fres
and one automatic gun. Her run to the
Isthmus depends somewhat on the length
Of her stay at Hampton Roads, but it is
believed she viii be ready to proceed
with little or no delay, in which case, the
trip VIII take about ten days or two
weeks
The position Of the United States as to
maintaining free traffic across the 18th
NUS of Panama was fully defined in 1855,
when extensive naval operations were
carried on there. An outbreak somewhat
similar to the present one occurred early
in the year and the insurgents. captured
Panama and buried Aspinwau. When
traffic became effectually blocked the
United States determined to act and the
North Atlantic squadron under Rear Ad-
miral JcUett, was sent to the Isthmus.
At the same time the navy department
sent an expeditionary force from New
York consisting Of 80 seamen and ma
rines commanded my Commander B. NJ.
BIcCalla and including three gatling
guns and three three-inch rifles. Admiral
JoUett arrived at the Isthmus April TO-
and at once landed marines and issued
orders to open transit acres sthe Isthmus
Two arnored cars fitted with howitzers
Calling and Hotchkiss guns, were sent
over the line clearing the way and max
ing the entire transit. Garrisons Of ma
rines were placed at AspinwaH and
AIatachin. the latter place being where
train, according to Consul Gudger's dis |
patch yesterday. Commander McCaua's
expedition established headquarters at |
Panama. Here the revolutionary leader |
Aiz Puru. was in fun control and was |
erecting barbados. expecting a battle |
with the Colombian army Commander |
McCalla acted theoretically and, gather |
ing his FUN force, occupied Panama on |
April a, arrestirg Aiz Puru and the other I
leaders and held them prisoners until |
an agreement was signed that filing
should not take place within the city.
Three days later the Colombian army |
arrived and at a conference between the |
government generals. Aiz uru Pand Ad- |
miral Jouett. the insurgent capitulated |
All of the United States forces We're then |
withdrawn and were then sent back to /
New York. Nay 6. The secretary OF the |
navy. in reporting the incident. pointed /
out that the action Of the navy was care
fully confined to enforcing treaty stipuIa- 1
tons Tor free transit across the Isthmus. /
and that our Interference ceased the mo-
mont this object had been ACCOMPLISHED.
President Clevelaud's message to con-
sress and the co.resp ondence OF Secretary
Bayard also made clear that the sole
purpose Of the United States in euuioving
force was to fuldu its guaranty under
the treaty az 1886 10 keen the transit open
across tho Isthmus. The present trouble
on the IsrhmUs is made Clear ir case the
Insurgents obstTuct traffic There is no
present purpose OF sending q ship down !
from the. Pacific side