Evening star., 1901-08-10
Navy Department Without Advioes
From the Wisconsin.
COMPLICATIONS OF TIE SITUATION
lsthmian and VenezueIa-CoIomb
Troubles Distinct.
DIR. RESTREPO'S ASSERTION

The State Department was without any
additional information today concerning the
Venezuela Colombia situation, or upon the
revolutionary outbreak on the isthmus.
These two troubles are quite distinct one
on the west, and the other on the east OF
Colombia. The statement of DR.. Restrepo,
one of the New York representatives of the
Colombian revolutionists, that he had for
warded certain assurances to the State
Department, could not be confirmed here
In fact, no communication of any kind
is held with the representatives of a rev.
olutionary element, and the only official
recognition given by the State Department
is to the regularly constituted diplomatic
officers of the titular government.
The Ranger to BE Made Ready.
The Navy Department confirms the press
report from San Diego, Cal, that the u.
S. S. Ranger, at that port, has been order
ed to get in readiness for trip to Panama
while stating, however, that no orders di-
recting her to leave for the sthmus have
yet gone forward
The Ranger, which is a small cruiser of
1,O20 tons displacement, has been engaged
for some time past in surveying work down
the southern Pacific coast and in Central
American waters, and when the possibility
that an American ship might have to be
sent down to the isthmus first became ap-
parent 1T was the impression that tbs
Ranger, because of her proximity to the
seat of trouble. would be selected to GO 1t
is very possible that her services will suf-
flee and that a battle ship will not be
obliged to make the long trip down from
the north.
The Ranger has a main battery of six
4-inch rapid-fire guns and secondary bat
terry of four 6-pounder and Colt gun.
She has complement of twenty-one off,
GERS and 121 men, and is in command Of
Commander Wells L. Field.
No Word From the wisconsin.
1t was stated at the Navy Department
that no return word had been received
from Captain Reiter, commanding the
Wisconsin. in answer to the departments
telegram to sail at once for San Francisco,
and this delay is probably what has given
rise to the orders to the Ranger for the
Wisconsin is thought to be cruising some
where about Bremerton, about 1900 miles
from Panama, while the Ranger, at San
Diego, Is full 1,O00 miles nearer the
scene of trouble.
As the battle ship Iowa reported her ar
rival at Bremerton today. while the bat
tie ship Wisconsin has not yet been heard
II ON. IT is probable that the former may
be substituted for the prospective trip to
the Pacific side of the isthmus.
May Command the Machias.
Although not settled, it is regarded as
probable that Lieutenant Comma nder
Henry McCrea, now on duty at the wash
ington navy yard, will be assigned to the
command of the gunboat Machias, now en-
route to Colon to protect American inter-
ests on the isthmus. Lieutenant Conn.,
mander Nathan Sargent, who Is now in
command Of that vessel, has asked to be
relieved, and 1t is understood he is to be
assigned to duty on the general board Of
which Admiral Dewey is president II
these orders are issued the change in COM
manders will occur while the Machias is in
Hampton Roads. The vessel is expected.
to put in there for inspection this evening
or tomorrow.
At the Navy Department no further steps
were taken toward sending ships to the
isthmus. There was some comment also
as to the possibility of sending down some
of the ships of the North Atlantic squad
ron, but Acting Secretary Hackett treated
these suggestions as rather premature.
There is no doubt, however, that an ample
force will be sent from the squadron If its
presence seems desirable.
Reported Invasion Of Venezuela.
The possibility of war between Colombia
and Venezuela as result Of revolutionary
movements in both countries rs a subject OF
general discussion In official and diplomatic
circles. The State Department has re.
ceived a mail communication from Consul
General Gudger. at Panama, and though
1t was dated nearly a month ago, it told OF
the landing of revolutionary expedition
and expressed the current belief held at
Panama that this would be followed by
other expeditions. The more serious aspect
of the matter is presented in the press dis
patches from WillemStad, stating that the
had again invaded Venezuela.
There was no official confirmation as to
this. but If 1t proves correct, there seems
little chance of avoiding open conflict
between these two countries, such an
invasion by Colombia would, in itself, be
an act Of war. But the authorities here
prefer to take a conservative view of the
until official adviceS are in hand.