The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-26
Colombian Government Expects
Much Of Cruiser BOgOta
WILL TRY TO SINK PADILLl.
American Officer and Crew Have
Charge of the Vessel and On
Their Success Depends Fu-
ture of the Country.

Panama, September 25.--The govern
ment entertains great ne of the new
cruiser Bogota, recently acquired by 1t
in the United States and expected here
shortly. 1t is believed when the Bogota
begins operations the revolutionists will
lose their prestige at sea, which gov
ernment officials declare to have been
their greatest strength.
The American gunners sent down here
for service on government gunboats by
the Colombian minister in Washington
Senor Coneha, made an examination this
morning of the gunboate Chiquito and
Clapet, each of which is armed with two
| six Founders. These boats are thought to
be faster than those in possession of the
revolutionists, and the hope is entertained
that the government fleet will defeat the
insurgents at sea. The revolutionary
gunboats Boyaca, Gaitan and Darien are
not very well prepared for fighting. The
Padila is their most efficient ship. The
success of the government in its con-
templated naval engagements depends on
the Bogota, which is commanded by
Captain Marmaduke, an American. and
manned by an American crew. If the Bo-
gotta sinks the Padilla the revolution. it
is believed. will be ended
There is no change today in the situa-
tion at Panama.
Further Explanations.
Port of Spain, September 25.-Further
explanations of the bombardment OF
Ciudad, Bolivar, by the Venezuelan
gunboat under the American flag have
been received here
When the United States gunboat
Marietta visited Cuidad Bolivar last
July many people there took her for the
Resturador, as the two vessels are SINH
lar in appearance. The American flag at
the Mariettas foremast, however. showed
that vessels nationality and the for
eign residents were glad of her presence.
The Marietta was expected to return
| to Cudad Bolivar and the captain of
the Resturador took advantage of this
| expectation when he hoisted the Ameri-
can flag over his vessel to avoid being
fired on by the revolutonists
U. S. Ship to Rendezvous.
Washington, September Pa squadron
of the North Atlantic fleet is to rem
devious in the caribbean sea a good
while before the appointed time for the
assembly of Vessels for the North and
South Atlantic and European stations
1t is said at the navy department that
the big cruiser Olympia flagship of Rear
Admiral coghlan, will soon be ready
and 1t will not be necessary for the ad-
miral to make use of the Vixen
The latter vessel will not be ready I'M
| til about November 1. She then will
| join the squadron and be used as a ten
der. The cruiser San Francisco Is now
on her way to the West Indies and there
are already in these waters the Cincin-
natl, the Montgomery, the Marietta and
the Panther. Besides these vessels the
navy department intends to attach to
Admiral Coghlan's squadron the pro-
tected cruiser Raleigh, the unprotected
cruiser Detroit and the gunboat Machias.
These vessels. with the exception of the
Panther and Cincinnati will be under the
direct command of Rear Admiral Silas
Casey who is enroute to Panama aboard
the Wisconsin, to take command of the
United States naval forces on the 18TH
mus.
In case of a conjunction of the forces
of these two admirals on the Isthmus.
Rear Admiral Casey, being the ranking
officer, will assume supreme command.
The navy department has two objects
in view in this early dispatch of war ves-
sells to the Caribbean. namely. prelimina-
ry work in regard to the maneuvers and
as the vessels are to go down to the West
Indies anyway, 1t is just as we'll In view
of the state of affairs in central and
South America to have them go earlier.
The remainder of the North Atlantic fleet
is scheduled to assemble at Hampton
Roads about November Is and to depart
for the West Indies about December l.
More Advlces From Mclean.
Washington September 25-Secretary
Moody was more fully advised today of
the situation on the Isthmus by another
and a longer categram from Comman-
der Mclean at Colon. 1t was said at the
department that the commanders report
was to the effect that conditions on the
Isthmus, while not seriously disturbed
now. are such that the United States
forces at present there cannot be with
drawn or diminished
After the receipt of this dispatch 1t was
announced tina. the Prairie had been or
dered to leave the Boston navy yard by
noon tomorrow, going thence to League
Island to take on party of enlisted men,
and then proceeding to Norfolk where
she will he ready to start at any moment
with the marines assembled there for
Colon.
Orders also were sent to the Olympia
which is to convey Rear Admiral Cogh-
land to the caribbean, directing that re-
pair work be expedited so that she will
be ready to sail about the first week In
October Instead of the latter part of that
month as was anticipated.