Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-26
WARLIKE PREPARATIONS
Moody Cables Instructions to our Naval
Commanders.
TROOPS ARE MOVING TO PANAMA.
Secretary of the Navy Takes Personal Charge
of Affairs on the lslhmus-The Situation
Criticai-Colombia Reported to Be lush
ing Troops Northward General Elliott to
Be 10 Command on the lsthmus.

Washington, D. c. (Specia).-"Let
Colombians take the initiative is the
restraining keynote OF specific instruc-
tions which Secretary Moody has ca
bled to the American naval command
crs in isthmian waters The Secretary
has taken active hold III the shaping
OF the naval policy on the isthmus, and
from now on the instructions, whether
to naval or marine officers, will, as far
as possible, be prepared at his personal
direction.
1t was announced that, while the Sit
uation on the isthmus was in no way
alarming to the Washington govern
ment, it was sufficiently delicate to ne
cessitate the most careful and diplo-
matte handling, and for this reason
secrecy has been enjoined upon officials
OF the department regarding the opera
tons Of the ships and marines. The
only official information on the sub
ject will be given out at the direction
Of the Secretary.
At conference between Secretary
Moody and Brigadicr General George
+. Elliott, commandant OF the Marine
Corps, the latter reported that upon "a
hours notice he could get under way
to Colon with the new Caribbean Sea
battalion, which is under orders to as
sembe at Philadelphia. This battalion,
which is intended to go south on the
cruiser Dixie, now on her way to Phil
adelphia from Colon, will probably sail
between December IS and January l.,
the exact time depending upon the
condition OF the Dixie on arrival and
the repairs she may need.
General Elliott has been informed
that unless the ishmian situation en-
tiers upon a decidedly more peaceful
phase in the meantime, lie will COM
mand this battalion, and upon his ar
rival will organize the three battalions
OF marines on the isthmus into a bri-
gadc, OF which he shall assume STU
preme command
1t is possible that some marines will
be encamped on the highlands in the
vicinity of the border line. but General
Elliott must determine this after his
arrival on the isthmus A potent fac
tor in the shaping of the naval policy
on the isthinus will be the health OF the
marines Care will be taken in the Sc
lection OF camps. and every precaution
against tropical illness possible will be
observed. Some of the towns in which
marines probably will be 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 PEEK
ing, and was advanced for conspicuous
bravery, has asked to be ordered to the
isthmus The matter is now under con-
sidcration by Secretary Moody. Other
officers of the Marine Corps have ap-
piled for similar orders, though. thus
far, Cptain Evans, aid to the command
ant, is the only officer, except General
Elliott. who has been definitely select
cd. There are several vacancies among
the officers in the marine force on the
isthmus which will be filled in few
days, the reliefs going Oh the Dixie
with General Elliott.