Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-16
ORDERED TO PANAMA
Definite Instructions Given to the
Ranger.
VOYAGE MAY TAKE OVER Two WEEKS
The Cruiser Philadelphia to Be
OverhauIed.
MACHIAS STILL IN PORT

The long-expected move OF the United
| States government in the direction of send
ing a naval force to the isthmus in order
| that precautions may be taken during the
| hostilities occurring there to protect Amer
| lean interests was taken today, when an
| order was issued at the Navy Department
directing the cruiser Ranger, now at San
Diego. Cal, to proceed southwark to Pan
ANA.
| 1t is expected that this ship will be able
| to leave without delay, as her commander
has had warning to prepare for the cruise.
The Ranger is slow boat, able to make
| only six knots an hour, and therefore she
| is not expected to arrive in the immediate
neighborhood of the fighting within two or
| three weeks.
| Incidental to this order the Navy De-
! partment this morning directed that the
cruiser Philadelphia, just returned to San
| Francisco from Samoa, proceed at once to
dry dock at Mare Island to undergo over
| hauling and repairs. These repairs Will
! not be very extensive, however, so that
| within a few days she will be ready for
| duty again if necessary.
The idea of the department in making
| this move is to prepare the cruiser for a
| voyage to the isthmus If it becomes neces-
| sary to make more pretentious naval
! display there.
|
| ernment views the present isthmian diff
] culties as inconsequential, 1t can be seen
| that precaution is being taken to act de-
| sisively If need be.
! The Machfas Held in Port.
| Up to late hour this afternoon the Ma
| chias, at Hampton Roads, had not sailed
| for Colon, the Atlantic coast of the
! isthmus Neither had the arrival Of the
battle ship Iowa at San Francisco been re-
1 l. u,
es port the government will be in position
to send both her and the Philadelphia to
| Panama If it becomes necessary, which,
| with the Ranger already on the field and
| the Machias off Colon, will form a naval
| fleet Of great strength In isthmian waters.
| The Machias is still held in port at
| Hampton Roads on account Of bad wealth
| er AS soon as the unfavorable weather
| conditions subside, however, she will pro-
| ceed as ordered. having fully prepared her
self for the trip.
| The State Department is receiving no
| new advices on the Colombia Venezuelan
| situation except through mail communica-
| tfons, which throw little additional light
! on existing conditions of affairs. 1t is
| stated, however, that the official view at
| the department has pretty fully crystalized
| in looking upon the entire movement as
only another manifestation of the unrest
and predatory warfare. which has been
going on in that section for some time.
There seem to be some indications that
much of the present ferment has been
brought about by the idea which has be-
come prevalent in countries just south Of
| the isthmus that the United States con-
templates the expenditure of about $780,
O0OO on the isthmian canal. There is rea-
son to believe that this has drawn the
attention Of these countries to the great
value Of the isthmus medium for the
early distribution of large sums of money
and that this has made the isthmus OBJ
ect of special attention to the disturbing
and n RI
With this are the political complications
along the Venezuelan frontier which. how
ever, have little connection with the dis
turbances on the isthmus.
Ridiculed by the Officials.
State Department officials ridicule the
idea which has been advanced abroad that
| the United States, in its preparations to
protect our interests along the scene OF
the outbreak, are planning for confed-
Grafton, or that wes have any '1andgrab-
| bing'' views in contemplation. Such
scheme is contrary to the basic principles
Of the American government and even the
possibility of it's execution is laughed at in
well informed circles The facts in the case
are that along the route between Colon
very great, chief among them being n rail-
road conducted by natives of the United
States great deal Of the rebel fighting
| has been occurring along this line, and If
sells to be placed in isthmian waters, such
action will be taken solely for the purpose
of protecting the interests of American
A report current 1eAay that the govern
| ments of Ecuador. Nicaragua and Ven
ezuela had formed a combination in the
matter Of the disturbances and would act
in concert with General Uribe Uribe, the
Colombian rebel leader, is without confir-
nation here. 1t was reported that Cen
eral Tribe had been guaranteed support
by the three governments mentioned, but
If such policy has been agreed upon
by those republics, nothing is known of
the fact In Washington. Such movement,
however, is generally thought to be highly
improbable.
Voluntary Departure From Caracas.
The Department of State late this after
| noon was advised by telegram from Mr..
Russell, charge daffaires in Venezuela,
that the departure Of the Colombian minis
ter from Caracas was voluntary, and that
he has the intention Of returning to his
post. Mr.. Russell has taken charge of the
Colombian legations property and archives
during the minister's absence.
Mr.. Russell does not state that he has
assumed charge of Colombian interests,
and with the assent Of the Venezuelan
government. It is inferred that he has not
been asked to do SO.
PANAMA IS THREATENED.
Colon, Too, I'm Danger From the CO.
lOmbfan Insurgents.
dispatch from Colon, Colombia, yester-
day says:
Raids continue almost daily or nightly
along the Panama railroad, owing to the
| lack OF military protection.
Last night Matachfn was again raided,
and cattle belonging to sympathizers with
the government were stolen. Two women
were kidnapped at Gorgona station and the