Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-26
May Take More Marines to
the Isthmus.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OBJECTS TO THE LANDING OF AN
AMERICAN FORCE. i;
His Statements Contradicted Here-s
Obligations of the Treaty-Colom-
bias Hope in Her Naval Vessels.

Secretary Moody was more fully advised
of the situation the tsthmus last night
by long cablegram from Commander Nc
Lean, at Colon. 1t was stated at the de-
partment 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there cannot be withdrawn or diminished.
After the receipt of this dispatch It was
announced that the Prairie had been ort
dered to leave the Boston navy yard at
once, going thence to League Island. 70
take on a party of enlisted men. and then
proceeding to Norfolk, where she will be
ready to start at any moment with the
600 marines assembled there for Colon.
Orders also were sent to the Olympia,
which is to convey Rear Admiral Coghlafl
to the Caribbean, directing that the re-
pair work which she is now undergoing
be expedited SO that she will be ready TO
sail about the first week in October. in-
stead of the latter part Of that month, as
was expected.
The Prairie Sails From Boston.
The Prairie which is to take the addfa
tonal 600 marines to the isthmus, If they
are needed, got away before the time set
for her departure-noon today. A telegram
received at the department this morning
last evening for League Island. route to
Norfolk
1t is stated at the Navy Department that
orders for the Prairie to sail from NorfolE
for Colon with the marines are to depend
upon a further report from Commander
Mclean as to whether their presence u
deemed necessary, and 1t is also said that
Commander McLeans long dispatch of yesA
terday, which was not given out, did noe
indicate that they are needed as yet
Gov. Salazar's Protest.
So far neither the State Department no8
the Navy Department has been officlally
advised Of the protest made by Gov. Salt
azar of Panama against the landing q
large forces of United States marines o8
the isthmus.
A dispatch from Panama says: In e
communication sent to Commander Mcs
Lean of the United States cruiser Cinctqs
natl, Gov. Salazar endeavored to demons
strate that the Colombian government nag
here all the forces necessary 70 protect sns
lives and property of all foreigners and to
guarantee their rights under the laws ana
international treaties.
The governor adds that he is desirous Ok
having pointed out to him single casa
where the lives or property of foreignsrN
have been menaced, and, consequently, he
holds that the landing of United States
marines was not justified. He says he
considers 1t, an attempt to assume the sov6
ereignty of Colombia, protests against IT,
and states that he will hold Commando
Mclean responsible for whatever may hap<
pen as the result of the marines landing.
1t was stated at the Navy Department to4
day that no mention of the protest wa9
made in the long dispatch received FROM
Commander Mclean yesterday, In regard to
which only general statement was made
public.
Overlooked by the Governor. I
With respect to the governors statemept
that the Colombian government has ample
force to protect the lives and property Of
foreigners, 1t is pointed out here that the
governors argument takes in only one-hal&
of the main treaty obligations with regard
to the isthmus assumed in the conventioiE
of New Granada, signed in 1876 by the
United States and Colombia. 1t is said that
the dominant factor which influenced the
landing Of the marines was the obligation
which the United States took upon itself
by the treaty of 1916 in these words: The
United States guarantees positively and efA
ficaciously to New Granada by the present
stipulation, the perfect neutrality of the beg
fore mentioned isthmus, with the view that
the free transit from the one to the other
sea may not be interrupted or embarrassed
in any future time while this treaty eXk
lists" Furthermore, in respect to the gove{~
nors reported declaration that he consid-
cred the landing of the United States naval
force an attempt to assume the sovereignty
of Colombia, attention is directed to this
treaty: THE United States also guaranteed
the rights of sovereignty and props,
erty which New Granada has and possesses
over the said territory" Il
If Governor SalaZar, in making assured
security Of the lives and property of foriI
egners his ground for protest against the
presence of the American marines, did SO
on the assumption that the transit was safe /,
against interruption then the officials here
are not inclined to the same view, pointing
out, for example that there would have
been an interruption Of traffic on the fsth-
mus Wednesday, when 800 insurgents at
tempted to capture a Colombian officer
aboard one of the trains. and might have;
succeeded had it not been for the presencGl
of the American marines.
The latest press report from Panama is I'd
the effect that traffic across the isthmus ID
free, and part Of the revolutionary army
having retreated to Aqua Dulce, the danger
Of a battle on the isthmus Is believed to be
removed.
Hopes in the Navy.
A Panama dispatch of yesterdays AatS
says: THE government entertains great
hopes Of the new cruiser Bogota, recently
acquired by it in the United States and e1-
pected here shortly. It is believed that
when the Bogota begins operations the rev.
olutionists will lose their prestige at sea,
which government 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, Senior
Concha, made an examination this morning
of the gunboats Chucuito and Clapet, each
of which is armed with two six-pounders.
These boats are thought to be faster than
those in possession of the revolutionists,
and the hope is entertained that the gov
ernment fleet will defeat the insurgents at
sea.
1.-The revolutionary gunboats Boyaca,
Gaitan and Sarien are not very well pre-
pared for fighting. The Padilla is their
most efficient ship. The success of the gov.
ernment in its contemplated naval engage-
ments depends on the Bogota, which =
commanded by Capt Marmaduke. an Ama&.
lean and manned by an American crew. II
the Bogota sinks the PadiIla the revolutiOns
It is believed, will be ended.