The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
Secretary of the Navy Is Secret
ly Taking All Precautions
Deemed Necessary.
ISSUING INSTRUCTIONS
Of Which ''Let Colombians Take
the Initiative" Is the Restrain
ing Keynote.
GENERAL ELLIOTT READY
Says He Can Sail with Marines on
Short Notice = Colombians
Moving Northward.

WASHINGTON. Dee. ls-'Let Colombo
ans take the initiative" is the restraining
keynote of specific instructions which Sec
retary Moody has cabled TO the American
naval commanders in isthmian waters The
secretary has taken active hold in the
shaping OF the naval policy on the isthmus.
and from now on the Instructions, whether
10 naval to marine officers. will. as far
as possible be prepared at his personal
direction. II was announced to-day that
while the situation on the isthmus was in
no way alarming to the Washington gov
ernment it was sufficiently delicate to COM
pei careful and diplomatic handling. For
this reason secrecy has been enjoined on
officials of the department regarding the
operations OF the ships and marines The
only official information on the subject will
be given out at the direction of the secre-
tary.
At a conference late this afternoon be-
tween Secretary Moody and Brigadier GEN
eral George T.. Elliott, commander Of the
marine corps, the latter reported that on
twenty-four hours notice he could get un-
der way TO Colon with the new Caribbean
sea battalion, which is under orders To as
semble at Philadelphia. This battalion,
which il is intended shall go south on the
cruiser Dixie, now on the way 10 Philadel-
phia from Colon. will probably sail between
Dec. p and Jan. 1, the exact time depending
on the condition of the Dixie on arrival and
the repairs she may need. General Elliott
has been informed that unless the isthmian
situation enters decidedly more peaceful
phase in the meantime he will command
this battalion. and on his arrival will organ
ize the three battalfons of marines on the
sumo supreme command. Although General
Elliott will have conference with the
conference with Secretary Moody. from
both of whom he will receive instructions
much will be left 10 his discretion.
ELLIoTTS INSTRUCTIONS.
There several conferences at the
Navy Department to-day regarding the sit
uation of the camps for the marines the
isthmus. Lest the administration may be
put in the light Of anticipating the SEN
ate's ratification of the canal treaty by
Stunning obligations provided for in that
convention. it has about been settled that
General Elliott shall not mass his forces
along the Panama border unless the safety
of the Republic absolutely demands IT, IL
is believed a more effective scheme will be
TO distribute the three battalions among
the towns and villages of Panama other
than the cities of Panama and Colon. leav-
Ing to the navy the protection of these
terminals. 1t is possible that some ma
rnes will be encamped on the highlands in
the vicinity OF the border line but General
Elliott must determine this after his ar
rival on the isthmus. potent factor in
the shaping OF the naval policy on the
isthmus viii be the health OF the marines.
Care Will be taken in the selection OF camps
and every precaution against tropical Ill
ness possible will be observed. Some OF the
towns in which marines probably will lie
stationed are Empire, Gorgona and Porto
Bello.
Capt. Harry Leonard, assistant aid TO
the commandant OF the marine corps, who
lost his arm in the march TO Peking and
was advanced for conspicuous bravery, has
asked to be ordered TO the isthmus. The
request Is now under consideration by Sec
retary Moody. Other officers OF the marine
corps have applied for similar orders.
The Navy Department to-day received a
cablegram from Rear Admiral Glass. at
Panama. to the effect that, according to a
report which has just reached him from a
steamer. the small force of Colombian
troops which had been discovered at the
mouth of the Atrato river had sailed To
the northward in a Colombian gunboat.
Admiral Glass has not been able TO verify
the report. The cablegram was involved
and scarcely inteliglole TO the officials OF
the department AS finally deciphered IL
reads follows: 'Hamburg-American
Steam Packet Companys steamer Chris
tiania, from CaTtagena, Dec. II, reports
that cruiser Cartagena sailed to norihward
(date missngD with 500 men TO go TO rem
devious In gulf of Darien."
FLAGSHIP FOR GLASS
1t was stated at the Navy Department
to-day that the cruiser New York. now at
the Puget Sound navy yard is under orders
to go to San Francisco soon repairs
are completed. After taking on supplies
there she will go 10 the isthmus 10 act as
Admiral Glass's flagship. The admiral has
been temporarily flying his flag on the Mar
blehead. which is too small for the adnirals
use.
NJ. Bunau-Varilla. the minister OF Pan
anna, at noon to-day opened the iron box
containing the ratified canal treaty in tho
presence of several Washington newspaper
men, who with Arosamena. the secretary
OF the legation, were the only witnesses to
the ceremony. The box. whicn has Travelled
more than 1900 miles. contained, in addition
To the treaty duly ratified by the junta aud
bearing also the signatures OF the Cabinet
ministers, the official decree OF the govern
ment announcing the ratification of the in
strument The treaty was carefully
wrapped in the American and Panamanian
flags. testimonials. as the minister ex-
pressed it. ''of the moral ratification OF the
treaty" The former NJ. Bunau-Narilla will
retain. the Panama flag he will present 10
Secretary Hay. The exchange copy OF tho
treaty will arrive by the next steamer from
Panama.
Peru has recognized the Republic OF Pan
anna. The. news was first communicable
10 the State Department by Dr. Caideron,
the Peruvian minister A little later came
a cablegram from MIR. Nell. the United
States charge and secretary OF legatiO. at
Lima, StdtliiS ttlat the feiuNidh SoFethrltn ~
had appointed "a ccCsul 10 Panama, Thereby
recognizing the new republic. as his cre-
dentials were addressed 10 IL. These recog-
nitions OF the Republic OF Panama by the
South and Central American republics most
of whom have held back until within the
last few DAYS, expected 90 have n con-
siderable influence upon the attitude OF Co.
lombia, revealing. they do. the feeling
of her sister republic toward propositions
10 unite against Panama, as was broached
by the Paris-C Colombia committee yestcr-
day
In official circles tonight IL was said that
Panama while disclaiming any obligation
10 Col mbia for the payment OF portion
OF the debt. would voluntarily. as an act
of comfy assume such share OF IL as In
her judgment might be deemed proper. IL
Is said that the formal expression OF that
government on the subject h delayed only
pending the completion OF the statement OF
General Reyes. the desire being 20 note just
what demands Colombia makes.