The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-13
Battleship Iowa, Instead of the Wis
cOnsin, to BE Sent to Panama
In Case of Necessity.
GERMANY'S ALLEGED SCHEME
ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE TWO
ISLANDS JUST NORTH OF CUBA.
France Also willing to Upset the
Monroe Doctrine III She Can Sc
cure the Isles for Jesuits.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-The State De-
partment has authorized the American
charge daffares at Caracas. Venezuela.
to use his good offices for Colombia in case
Of the withdrawal of the Colombian minis
ter at the Venezuelan capital. Mr.. Russell
telegraphed last week seeking information
as to his course of action in case of the
withdrawal of the Colombian minister,
which apparently was in contemplation at
that time. He did not however. indicate
that this withdrawal was preliminary to
any rupture between the two republics,
but simply asked if he would be authorized
10 act temporarily in looking after CO.
lombia's interests in case of the withdrawal
of the minister The State Department
has no information as TO whether the CO.
lombian minister has withdrawn from Ven
ezuela. or whether Mr. Russell is fulfilling
this temporary duty.
There have been no additional develop
ments as to the situation on the Isthmus
of Panama, where the trouble is far re-
moved from that along the Venezuelan
border. Consul General Gudger's course in
looking after the interests of Chinese along
the isthmus is not in pursuance of any
specific Instructions from Washington. but
twelve years ago. in connection with points
at which the Chinese were entirely without
official representation.
The Navy Department has now definitely
determined TO make use Of the battleship
Iowa, instead of the Wisconsin. for use on
the Pacific side of the isthmus. in case
affairs become serious there The Iowa
is the flagship of the Pacific station. and
as such flies the flag of Rear Admiral Silas
Casey. At last reports received here the
admiral was on board the Iowa. but it is
hardly probable he will proceed farther
south than San Francisco
The gunboat Machias has reported her
arrival at Norfolk and probably will sail
for Colon tonight or tomorrow morning.
Mr.. Geran. the Colombian charge daft
faires at Washington. is still in official
ignorance of the momentous events, which,
according TO the press reports. are trans
piring the Isthmus of Panama and
along the Venezuelan border. He attrib-
uteS his lack OF information to a break
i'm cable communication with his country
the line from Buena Ventura north having
been reported to be in very bad working
order Mr.. Geran characterized the situa-
tion in the south as most bewidering. The
official adviceS concerning the probable
withdrawal of the COlOmb bian minister from
Venezuela he regards significant,
though he points out that the report dis
tinctly stated that Senior Rico, the min
lister there, had not demanded. nor had
he been presented with his passports. and
thus the matter has been robbed of the
seriousness which would have been given
it by a step of this sort.
Mr. Geran will leave for New York on
Wednesday, to be gone q week on private
matters. He expects his official mail from
enable him more correctly TO gauge the
situation in his country.