Evening star., 1902-09-12
SITUATION SERIOUS
Commander Potter's Report
From Panama.
REBELS NEAR RAILWAY
ORGANIZATION OF a LANDING
FORCE.
Marines May Be Taken Down to Colon
on the Misunderstanding
Advices From Mclean.

by HOJi lOudy the Navy IepdI iltO
been advised that the two warships ordered
to the scene CT trouble on the Isthmus of
Panama had sailed for their destination A
telegram was received from Rear Admiral
Casey, commanding the Pacific station,
stating that the big battle ship Wisconsin
left Bremerton today, and after taking on
coal at San Francisco will resume her
long voyage down the Pacific coast. With
the same promptness which characterized
his actions in hurrying to the scene of the
terrible disaster al Martinique, Commander
I. c. Mclean had started on the Cincn-
natl for Colon within a few hours after the
receipt of the Navy Departments ord RS.
and cabled Secretary Moody to that effect
this morning
Advices From Commander Potter.
AS a further Indication that the vigorous
efforts of the Navy Department to relieve
the situation On the isthmus are none too
early the following cablegram was re-
ceived from Commander Potter, who, with
his small gunboat the Ranger, has for the
present the entire situation to look after:
PANAMA.
Cipher message this morning Revolu-
tionists near railroad line Situation serious.
Transit across isthmus still open.
POTTER"
The Panther May Take Marines.
The officials of the Navy Department
have decided to take no chances in the way
Of an insufficient landing force, in case of
an emergency on the isthmus, and orders
were sent forward yesterday to the United
States ship Panther, which is now on her
way to League Island, to take aboard de-
tachment of marines upon her arrivel, and
prepare for cruise to Colon.
Orders were issued for the organization
of the marines, who will number $50 men.
and will be commanded by Lieut. Col. B.
r Russell, with Major Barnett as second
in command. Captains Porter, Butler and
Mark will command three of the four COM
panies, and Captain Lemly will act as
quartermaster. If they go, it will be the
duty of the marines to keep transit across
the isthmus clear. The marines performed
a similar service in 1885. The battalion
will be detailed from this city, Norfolk,
Annapolis, Philadelphia and New York
A company of sixty-five men will leave
the Marine Barracks, this city, Sunday
afternoon, under the command of Lieut..
Col. B. R. Russell, for League Island.
Battalion to Be in Readiness.
In view of the reports that political sig
nifcance attaches to this latest dispatch of
naval force to the Isthmus of Panama, a
statement was gained today from a high
and unquestionable official source to the
terests and the enforcement of treaty guar
antees are the only two considerations in
Volved in the sending of additional war
ships to Panama and Colon. 1t was pointed
out that peculiar circumstances made nee
essary the dispatch of a force more formid-
able than the occasion really warrants.
The Ranger at Panama has a complement
of only 133 men. There was no other ves-
sci available on the Pacific coast save the
big battle ship Wisconsin. so that, while it
was ike sending man to perform a boys
work, the Navy Department had no alter
native. Moreover, the department has de-
cided not to send the Panther with the bat
TALON of marines to the isthmus unless
Commander Mclean, upon the arrival of
the Cincinnati al Colon, informs the depart
nlent that the men needed. In the
meantime the battalion will be equipped
and provisioned and the ship held in read
mess for an immediate departure for Colon.
Rear Admiral Silas Casey, commander-in-
chief of the Pacific station, will go down to
Panama aboard the Wisconsin and take
personal command of the naval forces upon
his arrival there,