The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-09
POSSIBLY TAKE A HAND
Traffic Across the Isthmus Must Not
be Interrupted
RESULT OF THE HOLD UP AT MARAcHlN
The Order Direc irg the Machias to Proceed to
Colon Issued on Consul Gudger's Report
Of This Occurrence. Admiral
Jouett's Expedition Recalled.
Jouett's Expedition Recalled.
(By the Associated Press.)


issued by the acting Secretary of of the
Navy today for the gunboat Machias,
now at the Boston Navy Yard to pro-
coed without delay to Hampton Roads
Colon, near the Eastern terminus of the
Panama railroad
At the Navy Department it is explain
ed that this movement has been ordered
with view of having the Machias take
observations in the vicinity of the 18TH
mus. In announcing the action of the
department 1t was officially stated that
lit is deemed needful that a United
States war vessel be in that vicinity at
this time
The order to the Machias followed
conference held at the Navy Depart
ment between Acting Secretary OF State
Adee and Acting Secretary of the Navy
Hackett. Mr.. Adee had the dispatch
received from Concul Gudger last night,
stating that the revolutionists had held
up train for an hour at Marachin on
the line Of the railroad across the 18TH
mus, and only about fifteen miles from
Panama city. While this was not re-
garded as threatening interruption
OF traffic or giving ground for interven-
ton by the United States, yet it was
. deemed advisable by the officials that
one OF our ships should be in the neigh
borhood in order that suitable observa-
lions could be made, and steps taken
to meet any serious emergency that
might arise. For the present the Off
Gals do not believe there will be any
need of landing marines. The cmman-
der Of the Machias. Lieutenant Com
mander Mason Sergeant is regarded as
an officer of tact and ability, and be-
sides this he had recent experience in
West Indianwaters, having been in COM
mand of the Scorpion when she made
her recent trip to La Guida to keep
watch on. American interests in Vene-
zuela.
The Machias is gunboat of ], III tons
displacement with twin screws and good
steam capacity. She has eight four
inch guns in her main battery, six rapid
firers 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 delay,
III WlllCH case the Trip Will take ABOUT
ten days or two weeks.
TIL position of the United States as to
maintaining free traffic across the 18TH
mus of Panama was fully defined in 1885,
when extensive naval operations were
carried on there. An outbreak somewhat
similar to the present one occurred early
in the year and the insurgents captured
Panama and burned Aspinwall. When
traffic became effectually blocked the
United States determined to act, and the
North Atlantic squadron, urdcr Rear Ad-
miral Jouett, was sent TO this Isthmus.
At the same time the Navy Department
sent an evolutionary Tree from New
York, consisting of $50 seamen and NIL
rines, commanded by Commander B. H.
McCalla, and including three Cuttings and
three three-inch rifled guns.
Admiral Jouett arrived at the Isthmus
April 10th, and at once landed marines and
issued orders to open transmission across
the Isthmus. Two arrored cars, fitted
with howitzers, Calling and ,Hotchkiss
guns, were sent over the line, clearing the
way and making the entire transit. Gar
risons of marines were placed at Aspin-
wall and Marachin, the latter place being
where the reyolutionists have now held
up train, according to Consul Gudger S
dispatch of yesterday. Comlnar der Nc
Gala S expedition established headquar
tiers at Panama. Here the revolutionary
leader, AiZspuru, was in full control and
was erecting barricades, having n battle
with the Colombian array. Commander
McCalla acted energeticallv and gathering
his full force, occupied Panama on April
Gath, arrested AiZspuru and the other
leader and held them prisoners until an
agreement was signed that fighting
should not take place within the city.
Three days later the Colombian army ar
rived and at a conference between the
government generals, Aizspuru and Ad-
miral Jouett, the insurgents capitulated.
All of the United States force. were then
withdrawn and were hack il New YORK
On Nav 9Th
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 traffic. There is no
preset purpose of sending ship down
from the Pacific side.