The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Keynote of the J, s, GoV- ernneDt in lis Policy
 Toward Isthnus
ROOSEVELT TRANSMITS
 PAPERS ID THE HOUSE
Letters and Teleerams Show That Sec retary Hay Was Fully Cognizant of the Impending Revolution.
 Everything Anticipated.

Washington, December 19-Let Colom- bans take the initiative is the restraining keynote of specific instructions which Secretary Moody has cabled to the Amer iean naval commanders in isthmian wat CTS.
 The secretary has taken active hold in the shaping of the naval policy on the isthmus and from now on the instructions whether to naval or to marine officers will as far as possible be prepared at his per sonal direction. It was announced today that while the situation on the isthmus was in no way alarming to the Washing ton government, it was sufficiently dell cate to compel careful diplomatic hand ling. For this reason secrecy has been enjoined on officials in the department regarding the operations of ships and ma rines. The only official information on the subject will be given out at the direction of the secretary.
 At a conference this afternoon between Secretary Moody and Brigadier General George F. Elliott, commander of the ma rine corps, the latter reported that on 24 hours notice he could get under way to Colon with the new Caribbean sea battal- ion which is under orders to assemble at Philadelphia. This battalion will probabl sail between December D and January General Elliott has been informed tha4 unless the isthmian situation enters a de- eidedly more peaceful phase in the mean time, he will command this battalion and on his arrivals will organize the three bat talions of marines on the isthmu into brigade of which he will assume supreme command.
 Several Conferences.
 There were several conferences at the navy department today regarding the situation of the camps for the marines on the isthmus. Lest the administration be put in the light of anticipating the sen ates ratification of the canal by assuming obligations provided for in that conven- ton it has about been settled that General Elliott shall not mass his force along the Panama border unless the safety of the republic absolutely demands it. It is be- lieved a more effective scheme will be to distribute the three battalons among the towns and villages of Panama other than the cities of Panama and Colon, leaving to the navy the protection of these terminals.
 A potent factor in the shaping of the naval policy on the isthmus will be the health of the marines Some of the towns in which marines probably will be sta stioned are Empire, Gorgeopa and Porto Bello. Captain Harry Leonard, assist ant aid to the commanfant of the marine corps who lost his arm in the march to PelSin, and was advanced for conspicu- ous bravery, has asked to be ordered to The isthmus.
 Panama Willing to Pay.
 Tn official circles tonight it was said That Panama, while disclaiming any ob- ligation to Colombia for the payment of a portion of her debt. would voluntarily, as an act of comity, assume such share of it as in her judgment might be deemed proper It is said that formal expression of that government on the subject is de- layed only pending the completion of the statement of General Reyes, the desire being to note just what demand Colom- hia makes.