The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-08
MACHIAS FOR COLON
GUNBOAT ORDERED TO DEPART
FoR IsTHMUs.
MUST NOT HOLD UP MAILS.
MAY INTERFERE WITH REvOLU-
TIONARY GAME.


Gunboat VIII simply Keep a
Watch on Things and BE on Hand
should an Emergency Arise-Uni-
ted states Had to Interfere Once
Before at Panama, and Brought
About Peace by Forcible Methods.
issued by the acting secretary of the
navy to-day for the gunboat Machias,
now at the Boston Navy Yard, to pro-
ceed without delay to Hampton Roads
and there to prepare for departure to
Colon, near the eastern terminus of the
Panama Railroad.
At the Navy Department it is ex-
planned that the movement has been
ordered with a view of having the Ma
chias take observations in the vicinity
of the isthmus. In announcing the ac-
tion of the department it was officially
a United States vessel be in that vi
cinity at this time"
The order to the Machias followed a
conference held at the Navy Depart
ment between Acting Secretary of
State Adee and Acting Secretary of the
Navy Hackett. Mr.. Adee had the dis
patch received from Consul Gudger last
night, stating that the revolutionists
had held up a train for an hour at
Marachin on the line of the railroad
across the isthmus and only about fif-
teen miles from Panama City. While
this was not regarded as threatening
an interruption of traffic or giving any
ground for intervention by the United
States, yet it was deemed advisable by
the officials that one of our ships
should be in the neighborhood in order
that suitable. observations could be
made, and steps taken to meet any Sc
rious emergency that might arise. For
the present officials do not believe there
will be any need of landing marines.
The commander of the Machias, Lieu
tenant Commander Mason Sergeant, is
regarded as an officer of tact and abil-
ity. and besides this, he has had re-
cent experience in West Indian waters,
having been in command of the Scor-
pion when she made her recent trip to
La Guira to keep watch on American
interests in Venezuela
The Machias is a gunboat of LII
tons displacement, with twin screws
and good steam capacity. She has eight
4-inch guns in her main battery, six
rapid-hre and one automatic gun. Her
run TO the isthmus depends somewhat
on the length of her stay at Hampton
Roads, but it is believed she will be
ready to proceed with little or no de-
lay, in which case the trip will take
about ten days or two weeks.
History of a Former Trouble.
The position of the United States as
to maintaining free traffic across the
Isthmus of Panama was fully defined
in 1885, when extensive naval opera
tions were carried on there. An out
break somewhat similar to the present
one occurred early in the year, and the
insurgents captured Panama and burn
ed Aspinwall. When traffic became eff
fectually blocked the United States de-
termined to act and the North At
lantic squadron, under Rear Admiral
Jouett, was sent to the isthmus. At
the same time the navy department
sent an expeditionary force from New
York, consisting of $50 seamen and ma
rines, commanded by Commander B.
III. McCalla, and including three Cat
lings and three three-inch rif1ed guns.
Admiral Jouett arrived at the isthmus
April 10, and at once landed marines
and Issued orders TO open transit across
the isthmus. Two armored cars, fitted
with Howitzers, Gatling and Hotchkiss
guns were sent over the line, clearing
the way and making the entire transit.
Garrisons of marines were placed at
Aspinwall and Matachin, the latter
place being where the revolutionists
have now held up train, according to
Consul Gudger's dispatch of yesterday.
How McCaIIa Handled 1t.
Commander McCalla's expedition es-
tablished headquarters at Panama.
Here the revolutionary leader, Aizpu
ru, was in full control, and was erect
ing barricades expecting a battle with
the Colombian army. Commander Nc
Gala acted energetically and gather
ing his force, occupied Panama on
April "a, arrested Aizpuru and the
other leaders and held them prisoners
until an agreement was signed that
fighting should not take place in the
city. Three days later the Colombian
army arrived and at a conference be-
tween the government generals, Aiz-
puru and Admiral Jouett, the insur-
gents, capitulated. All of the United
States forces were then withdrawn and
were back in New York on May 16.
The present trouble on the isthmus
Is far less formidable than that of
1885, but the procedure is made clear
In case the insurgents obstruct traf-
fic. There is no present purpose of
sending a ship down from the Pacific
side.