The San Francisco call., 1901-11-21
Marines Land From
Machias and Go
on Guard.
President Roosevelt Is
Determined to Keep
Traffic Open.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

ALL BUREAU, 1406 G STREET,
n N. W., WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.
III - American bluejackets have
~ been landed at Colon to preserve
American treaty rights across the
isthmus of Panama. Commander Nc
Crea, commanding the gunboat Machias,
now at Colon, cabled the Navy Depart
ment under date of to-day that ''insur-
gents have possession of the city. At the
request of the proper authorities L have
landed forces for the protection OF the
property of the railroad"
Consul Malmros at Colon reported that
the town had been occupied by insurgents
last night Consul General Gudger re-
ported that band of insurgents had
taken passage on the railroad for Colon
and when near their destination had cut
the telegraph wires and torn up rail
so as to prevent the Government from
sending renforcements. A subsequent dis
patch announced the success of the move
ment Consul Malmros added TO the in
telligence concerning the. fall of Colon
the reassuring information that while
business is suspended transit is not In
terrupted and American llte and property
are safe and are not likely to be in dan
ger.
Serious Situation in Panama.
Administration officials are convinced
that the situation in Panama is most seri-
Gus. Dispatches from several officials
caused conferences between Secretary
Long ana Acting Secretary OF State ,,l Hin
and finally conference at the White
house, participated in by the President,
Acting Secretary Hill and Rear Admiral
'Crowninshield, Chief of the Bureau Of
Navigation. At these conferences full dis
cusslOn was given to the American treaty
rights in the isthmus of Panama, and the
President read over this article. OF the
treaty of the New Granada, which sets
forth the obligatio of the United States
In order to secure to themselves tran
quill and constant enjoyment of these ad-
VantageS and as an especial compensation
for said advantages and for tavors as
they have acquired, the United States
guarantees, positively and effica ciouSly,
perfect neutrality of the isthmus, with
| a view that free transit from one to the
other sea may not, be interrupted or en-
barrassed in any future time while this
treaty exists and in consequence the
| United States also guarantees, in the
same manner, the rights of sovereignty
and property which New Granada has and
| possesses over said territory.
Will Uphold the Treaty.
| Tho President decided that the OBJ
| legations stated in the foregoing must be
| observed and in accordance with his de-
| c1SiOn instructions were cabled to Consul
| General Gudger at Panama, directing him
to issue a proclamation prohibiting inter-
| ference with traffic across the isthmus
and announcing that such interference
will be followed by Intervention by the
He was further directed to consult with
! Captain Thomas Perry, commanding the
! battleship Iowa. Captain Perry was or
dered to land men if necessary to observe
| the treaty stipulation with New Granada
| and to consult with Consul General Gud-
ger for the protection of American inter
| eSts. The Iowa has personnel of 47C
| enlisted men and could easily land SOC
men. The Concord left Acapulco some
| days ago and will shortly arrive at Pan
ANA. The Machias has a crew of 14i
| men. She will soon be reinforced by the
| Marietta, which left Key West yesterday
! The battleship Indiana is now in the Car
| ibbean Sea and can be ordered to Colon
| If her presence is required.
The entire North Atlantic squadron will
sail on December 1 for the West Indies
1t is conceded by officials to be possible
that conditions will arise similar to those
which prevailed in 1885 and which required
the intervention of this Government.