Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-20
LINE TO BE KEPT OPEN
COMMANDER McLEAN'S AN
NoUNCEMENT TO BELLIoERENTs
Possibility That Reinforcements Will
Be Sent to the 1sthmus-To
Modify Canal Treaty.

Secretary Moody has received the follow
ing cablegram from Commander Mclean
of the Cincinnati. the officer IN command
of the United States naval forces on the
isthmus:
COLON. September 10.
Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
Have sent following communication to
both parties: I have to inform you that the
United States naval forces are guarding the
railway trains and line Of transit across
the Isthmus Of Panama from sea to sea;
that no person whatever will be allowed
to obstruct. embarrass or interfere in any
manner with the trains or the route of
transit. This is without prejudice or any
desire to interfere In domestic contentious
of the Colonbians.'
1t is said at the Navy Department that
Comma nder McLean's action in landing
blue Jackets and guns on the fsthmus Is
simply to provide force to keep free cid
the isthmus and is In keeping with the In
structions sent to him by the Navy De-
partment when it became apparent that al
fairs were critical.
The probability Is that the commander
will direct that an armored car be attached
to the trains crossing the isthmus with
force of marines aboard and adequate am
munition to prevent any interference with
the tra1nS CT IL neeO De ne may STATION
the marines at points along the route. The
Panther, with a battalion of marines aboard,
which left Philadelphia Sunday evening. is
expected to arrive at Colon in day or
two.
1t was stated in an authoritative quarter
today that the information furnished by
Commander Mclean to the Navy Depart
ment plainly shows that the naval force
there Is kept constantly on its guard to
make good our treaty guarantee of free
sent will cooperate with the marines al
ready there and those en- route on the
Panther. in close watch on the situa-
ton, and safeguard our rights and interests
in the route of the projected Panama canal.
AdviceS received at the Colombian lega-
ton say that the isthmian railroad is be-
ing used for the transportation of govern
ment troops. This, it is said at the lega-
ton, the company Is required to do accord
ing to its agreement with the government.
To Modify the Pending Treaty.
1t is learned here that the special instruc-
tons of the Colombian government in
gard to the notifications in the pending
Panama canal treaty, which are awaited here
by Senior Concha, the Colombian minister are
now not expected to arrive until the first
week in October, or perhaps little later.
These instructions comprise the composite
view of President Maroquin and the CO.
lombian cabinet upon the notifications pro-
posed by Secretary Hay The general tenor
of the brief cable dispatches received at
the Colombian legation here in regard to
the treaty indicates that the govern
ment at Bogota is not displeased a the
notifications proposed by our State De-
partment, but 1t also shows that
the Colombian officials are not inclined to
aecede to them exactly as they now stand.
The exceptions taken by Colombia, as al
ready indicated. hinge upon the considera
ton, which in this case is regarded as large
lx,r go
ereignty. but the officials here anticipate no
great difficulty in adjusting the slightly di-
vergent views satisfactorily.
Will Send Reinforcements.
Secretary Moody today announced that
he decided to augment the United States
naval forces on the isthmus by the addi-
ton of 600 marines, II Commander Nc
Leans advices Indicate that reinforce
merts are needed. He has given orders
to Comma nder Pilsbury of the U. 8. s.
Prairie. now at Boston, to proceed with
his ship to Norfolk At that point 600
marines will be gathered ready to take
ship without delay in case Secretary
Moody's adyices indicate the necessity for
their presence on the isthmus. Norfolk Is
the most available point for the quick dis
patch of marine force, as in addition to Its
southern location it has excellent camping
grounds for marines.
The Panther should arrive at Colon within
a day or two with about 400 marines
aboard, so that with the Prairie's men and
the marines on the Cincinnati, who are al
ready ashore at Colon. the United States
will have what is regarded as an ample
force to carry out its policy on the isthmus
The San Francisco Ordered to Sea.
Orders were also sent forward today to
the San Francisco, now at Norfolk, to coal
and provision and proceed to San Juan,
Furto Rico there to await any emergency
which may arise There is only one United
States warship now in Venezuelan waters,
the little gunboat Marietta. and the Mont
gomery is due to arrive shortly at Cape
Hatien.
The object Of the department in sending
down the San Francisco. it Is stated, is to
have vessel ready to meet a call for re-
enforcement either in Venezuela or the 18TH
mus. The duty assigned to the San Fran
cisco should not be confused with that given
the gunboat Bancroft That vessel will
probably not be able to go in commission
until October 1. and will then also proceed
to San Juan to be station ship.
1t is expected that the San Francisco will
get away in three or four DAVIS