Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-08
GUNB0AT MACHIAS
Ordered to Proceed at Once
to Colon, Panama.
Will Look After American Interests
and Rights of Travellers.
United S,a.es' Right 10 So Act Mas Been
Clearly Proven.

Washington. Aug. An order was
issued by the acting secretary of the
navy. today. for the gunboat Machias.
now al the Boston navy yard. to pro
coed without delay to Hampton Roads
and there to prepare for departure to
Colon. near the eastern terminus of the
Panama Railroad.
IT was officially stated in the order
that "it WIS deemed needful that a
United States war vessel be in that vi
entity at this time.
The order to the Machias followed
conference held at the navy depart
n.ent between Acting Secretary of
State Adee and Acting Secretary of the
Navy Hackett. Mr.. Adee had the dis
patch received from Consul Gudger.
last night, stating that the revolution
lists had held up train for an hour at
Marac hin. only about 10 miles from
Panama City.
While this was not regarded as
threatening an interruption of the
traffic or giving any ground for inter-
vention by the United States, yet it
was deemed advisable by the officials
that one of our ships should be in the
neiehbUrhOod in order that suitable
observations could be made and steps
taken to meet any serious emergency
that might arise. For the present the
officials do not believe there Will be any
mead of landing marines.
The commander of the MachiaS.
Lieut.. Commander Nathan Sargent, is
regarded as an officer of tact and abil-
itv and besides this he has had recent
experience in West Indian waters hav-
ing been in command of the Scorpion
when she made her recent trip to La
Guayna to keep watch on American
interests in Venezuela. The MaChaS is
IA Sun5oat of 1917 tons displacement.
with twin screws and good steam ca
pacity. She has eight finch guns in
her main battery. six rapid fires and
one automatic gun.
The position Of the United States as
to maintaining free traffic across the
isthmus of Panama. was fully defined
in 1885. when extensive naval opera
tons We're carried on there. An out
break somewhat similar to the present
one occurred early in the year and the
insurgents captured Panama and
burned Aspinwall.
When traffic became effectually
blocked. the United States determined
to act and the North Atlantic squad
ron. under Rear Admiral Jouett was
sent to the isthmus. At the same time
the navy department sent an expedi-
tOnary force from New York consist
ing of 80 seamen and marines. COM
manded by Commander +. II. Nc
Gala. Admiral Jouett landed marines
and two armored cars fitted with
howitZers. gattling and hotChkiSS guns
were sent over the line. clearing the
way. GarrisonS We're placed a Aspin-
wall and Matachin. the latter place be-
ing where the revolutionists have now
held up train.
Commander McCalla established
headquarters at Panama. Here the
revolutionary leader Aizpuru was in
full control and was erecting barri-
cades expecting at battle with the Co.
lombian army. Commander McCalia.
acted energetically and gathering 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.
The secretary of the navy in report
ing the iHtlutlt. Htlutci oul tilt til''
action of the navy was carefully con-
fined to enforcing to treaty Supula-
tionS for free transit across the iSthmuS
and that our interference ceased the
moment this object had been accom-
plished.
The present trouble on the isthmus
is far less formidable than that of 1881
but the procedure is made clear in
case the insurgents obstruct traffic
There is no present purpose OF sending
a shin down from the Pacific side.