The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-08
TO PROTECT ISTHMUS
auNBoAr MAcHIAs IS ORDERED
 TO COLON.
United States Will Insure the Trans portation of Goods Without Hindrance Across Isthmus
 of Panama.

Washington, Aug. 7.-An order was issued by the Acting Secretary of the Navy today 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- plained that the movement has been ordered with a view of having the Ma chias take observation in the vicinity of the isthmus. In announcing the action of the Department 1t was off, cially stated 1t is deemed needful that a United States war vessel be in that vicinity 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. Mir. Adee had the last night. stating that the revolution ists had held up a train for an hour at Mattacin. 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. vet 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 se- rious emergency that might arise.
 For the present, officials do not be- lieve there, will be any need for land- ovHAn Machias. Lieutenant Commander Sar- gent. is regarded as a man of tact and has had recent experience in West In- dian waters. having been in command of the Scorpion when she made her recent trip to LaGuayra to keep watch on American interests in Venezuela.
 The Machias IS a gunboat of 1,l77 tons displacement with twin screws and good steam capacity. She has eight four-inch guns in her main bat tery, six rapid-fire guns and one au, tomatic gun. Her run to the isthmus depends somewhat on the length of her stay at Hampton Roads. but 1t Is believed she will be ready to proceed with little or no delsy, in which case the trip will take about ten days or two weeks.
 The position of the United States as to maintaining free traffic across the Iethmus of Panama was fully defined ir 1885, vixen 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 burned Aspinwall. When traffic became effectually blocked, the United States determined to act and the North Att iantic 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 7b0 seamen and marines commanded by Commander B. H. Me- Calla and including three Calling guns and three three-inch rified guns. Ad- miral 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, Calling and Hotchkiss guns were sent over the line clearing the way and making the entire tran sit Garrisons of marines were placed at Aspinwall and Matachin, the latter place being where the revolutionists have now held up a train. according to Consul Gudger's dispatch of yester- day.
 Commander McCalla's expedition es- tablished headquarters at Panama. Here the revolutionary leader Aizpuru was in full control and was erecting barricades, expecting a battle with the Colombian army. Commander Mccall la acted energetically. and, gathering his full force, occupied Panama, April "A. arrested Aizpuru and the other lead CTS 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 between the Government. Generals Aizpuru and Admiral Jouett. the insurgents capitu- lated. All of the United States forces were then withdrawn and were back in New York May 16
 The Secretary Of the Navy. in re- porting the incident, pointed out that the action of the navy was carefully tions for free transit across the isth- mus, and that our interference ceased the moment this object had been ac- complished. President Cleveland s message to Congress and the corre- spondence of Secretary Bayard also made clear that the sole purpose of the United States in employing force was to fulfill the guaranty under the treaty of 1S46. to keep the transit open across the isthmus.
 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 present purpose of sending a ship down from the Pacific side.