Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-08-10

Washington, Aug. S.-The gunhoat
has been ordered TO proceed without de-
lay TO Hampton Roads, aud there to
prepare for departure for Colon, near
the eastern terminus of the Panama
railroad. 1t is officially stated in the
order that "it is deemed ncedful that a
United States war vessel be in that vi
cinily nj this time"
The order to the Machias followed n
conference between Acting Secretary
of state Adre and Acting Secretary of
the Navy llackctt Mr.. Adrr had n
dispatch from Consul Gudccr stating
that the revoluionists had held up Il
train for an hour at Matuchin, only
about IL miles from Panama City.
While this was not regarded rs threat
en'ng IN interruption of traffic or Civ
Ing any ground for intervention by the
United States. ;rt II was deemed adj
yiSablr by the officials that one of our
ships should be in the meighhorhood in
order that suitable observations could
be made and steps taken to meet any
aAot' '''Ni S'h' y 'ius IN
commander of the Machias, Lieutenant
Commander Sargent, is regarded us an
officer of tact ahl ability.
The position on the United States AS
to maintaining free traffic across thu
iSthnuS of ranaln& was fully defined
in 1855. when extensive naval opera
lions were carried on there. An out
hat 81 Ia,
one occurred early in the year, and the
insurgents captured Panama and
burned Aspinwall.
When traffic became pTectually
blocked the United States determined
TO act. ana the North Atlantic squadron.
under Kra: Admiral Jouett. was sent
to the isthmus. At the same time the
navy department sent an rNpedtonary
force from New York, commanded by
Commander McCnlla. Admiral Jouett
arrived at the iSthlnns April 10. and rs
once landed marines and issued orders
to open transit across the istlImna. Two
armOred cars. fitted with hOWitZers.
Gatling and iIotchkiss guns, We're sent
over the line. clearing the way and max
ing the entire transit. Carr sons Of
marines We're placed ut Aspinwall and
Matachn. the latter place being where
the revOiutionists have now held up n
train. according to Consul Gudgcr's dis
patch OF Tuesday.
Commander McCalla's expedition es-
tnblishcd headquarters at Panama.
Here the revolutionary leader. AiZpuru,
was in full control, and was erecting
barricadpS. expecting a battle with the
Colombian army. Commander McCalla
acted energetically. and. gathering his
full force. occupied Panama on April
~. arrested AiZpuru and the other lead
crs. and held them prisoners until an
agreement was signed that fighting
should not take place within the city.
Three days later the Colombian army
arrived, and at a cOnference'bctwpen
the government generals, AiZpmu and
Admiral JOuett. the insurgents capitu-
lated. All of the United states fore
were then withdrawn. and were back
in New York on May lG.
The secretary of the navy. in reporting
the incident, pointed out that the action
of the navy was carefully confined to ell
forcing the treaty stipulntions for fr.e
transit across the iSthmus. and that our
Interference ceased the moment this
object had been accomplished. IreSi-
dent Clevpland's message to congress
and the correspondence of Secretary
Bayard also made clear that the sole
purpose of the United States In employ
ing force was to fulfill its guaranty. mn
der the treaty of lS4G to keep the transit
open across the iSthmus.
The present trouble on the isthmus is
far less formidable than that Of 1851.
but the procedure Is made cl.ar in ca.
the insurgents obstruct traffic. There
is no present purpose of sending ship
down from the Pncltic side