The sun., 1903-12-10
COLOMBIA MAKES WAR MOVE.
LANDS TROOPS IN DARIEN FOR
MARCH ON PANAMA.
ueport Brought to Ia Guayra by French
steanner--United States Ready to Send
Military Force to the Isthmus-Gen.
Reyes Realizes That Attempt to Re-
take Panama Would He Hopeless.

Military Force to the Isthmus-Gen.
Reyes Realizes That Attempt to Re-
take Panama Would He Hopeless.
Special Gable Despatch TO THR SUN.
Ia GrAYRA, Dec. 9-Information has
been brought here by the steamship YER
sailles that Colombia has landed 1,i0O men
near the mouth Of the Atrato River, Gulf
Of Daren These troops we're embarked
at Cartagena and taken to the point of
landing on merchant steamers. The OBJ
'ectve point Of the movement is believed
,o be Panama, not Colon. and the march
would thus be over the Darien mountain
range.
II is reported here also that more troops
from the Department Of Cauca. Colombia.
are assembled and ready to participate in
a campaign to recover the Isthmus
WASHINGTON GETS THE NEWS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-Oficial advices
have been received by the Administration
that 100 Colombian soldiers have been
landed at the mouth of the Atrato River,
in the Gulf of Darien, for the purpose of
invading the Tsthmus Of Panama.
These advices were transmitted to the War
Department for the information Of the Gem
eral staff, and to-day there was renewed ac-
tiyitv on the part OF the officers Of the army
who have In charge the preparation OF plans
for sending military expedition to the
Isthmus Of Panama should the necessity
arise.
Army officers believe that the sending Of
American troops to the Isthmus is inevitable,
and that sooner or later an expedition
will have to be fitted out. It was declared
this afternoon that 30 far have preparations
gone forward that military expedition Of
over 1900 men could be landed at Colon
inside of ten days from the receipt OF reports
showing that they are needed.
A number Of opinions have been advanced
by officers Of the General STAFF as to the
character OF the military expedition which
should be sent to the Isthmus In case Of
trouble with Colombia. Some officers
think that small body Of cavalry will be
needed, while others are of the opinion that
only infantry with mountain battery OF
artillery will be the proper organization
for service in that country.
ARMY READY FOR ANY EMERGENCY.
Lieut. Gen. Young, Chief Of STAFF, said
this afternoon: 'The army is prepared for
any situation OF no greater magnitude than,
from present indications, exists In con-
rect ion with tho troubles on the Isthmus.'
The Joint Army and Navy Board held
meeting to-day soon after the receipt OF
additional information in regard to the
movement of Colombia upon the Isthmus
nd promptly denied that that subject had
tkeen discussed.
coLoMB1A's PLAN.
At the War Department, however, the
importance Of the situation was admitted
by the officers, and IT was explained that
official advices from Panama showed that
the objective Of the Colombian troops was
Panama and not Colon. The mouth Of the
Atrato River is the nearest available point
in Colombian territory to the Atlantic side
OF the Isthmus. The Atrato River flows
directly south across the Darien strip and
almost at the foot Of the Darien mountain
chain. separating the 1sthmus from Darien.
1t is assumed by the officials here that it
is the int ention of the Colombians to pass
up the Atrato River to its junction with
small river that rises In these mountains
on the west The source of the small river
forms gap in the mountain chain, through
which it is believed the Colombian troops
can pass.
The Balsas River rises on the west side
of the mountains and flows toward the Gulf
Of San Miguel, on the Pacific side OF the
lsthmus of Panama. BY passing through
the gap in the mountains and using small
boats the troops could sail down the Balsas
River to the Gulf Of San Miguel and then
be directly across the Bay Of Panama from
he city OF Panama. The distance by land
from San Miguel to Panama would be only
a bout 100 miles, and with the exception Of
mountain chains, through which, it is said.
there are numerous trails, there would be
nothing to impede the movement OF the
Colombian troops
WORK OF THE MARINES.
Anticipating the movement OF Colombian
forces, Rear Admiral Glass and Rear Ad-
miral Coghlan, commanding the United
States naval forces in Isthmian waters,
have sent naval vessels to patrol the coasts.
Any attempt by the Colombians to invade
the Isthmus by the landing Of troops within
the territory of the Republic Of Panama
will be resisted by the naval forces of the
| 'nited States, but 1t is pointed out that
the warships cannot prevent such land
movement as seems to be contemplated
by the Colombians. The marines will. 1t is
declared, do all they can to protect the
railroad and canal strip across the Isthmus
and will also resist any invasion Of the
lsthmus by land, but there is no intention
of sending the marines into the mountain
trails TO do scouting duty. The opinion
prevails here that should the Colombian
forces reach San Miguel, as planned, there
will then be ample time within which to
send troops to Colon and thence across by
railroad to Panama before the Colombian
soldiers can march to Panama.
ABOUT SENDING TROOPS.
Steps have already been taken by the
General Staf to ascertain the best possible
point Of embarkation for American troops
Inquiries were sent out several days ago
by the military information division Of the
General Staff for news as to the best and
- tolr 10, frNr