Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-30
WATERFOWL REPUBLICAN,.
WATERFOWL, WIS.
GATHER BIG FLEETS.
Large Force of American Warships on
Both Sides of Isthmus of
Panama.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 2S.-The
Heets of warships Oh both sides Of the
tsthmus Of Panama will shortly be re-
enforced by several vessels now on their
way to that quarter. The gunboat To-
peka Of the Atlantic training squadron
left Key West yesterday for Colon hy
way Of Kingston as convoy Of the tor
pedO-boat destroyers Truxtun and Stew
art. which have been assigned to patrol
duty on the Caribbean coast Of the 18TH
mus. The gunboat Catine arrived at
Colon yesterday from Philadelphia none
the worse for her grounding on bar in
the Delaware river. The big collier
Caesar has left Culebra for Colon with
Dixie left League island today for Colon
with the Panama marine brigade, num-
bering about 600 men, in command OF
Brig. Gen. Elliot.
Activity on Pacific Side.
Naval movements in the direction Of
the isthmus have been almost equally &C.
tive on the Pacific coast. The gunboat
Petrol, bound for Panama, arrived at
Acapulco, Mexico, OH the 2t6h inst, and
undoubtedly has left there by this time.
The flagship New York, the gunboat Ben
nington, the torpedo-boat destroyer Preblo
and Paul Jones and the collier Saturn
service in the vicinity Of Panama and it
is expected that all Of them will start
south i'll day or two.
No Orders from Washington.
1t was stated at the navy department
today that the arrival Of the marines from
the Pacific from Yaviza to Bas Obispo, a
point on the Panama railroad, as told in
press dispatches from Colon, is but a
movement directed by Admiral Glass in
the execution Of a general policy. and was
not directed from Washington. It is stat
ed further that the move is without sig
niicance as suggesting any change of pol
icy here. Two dispatches received from
the isthmus advise the navy department
that there is mo news" to report. 1t is
understood that party Of twenty ma
rlnes has been retained at YaviZa for pur-
poses Of observation.
Will Close Colombian Legation.
Although Secretary Hay has not yet
replied to the note of Gen. Reyes, prepa-
ratlons are rapidly going on for the clos
ing of the Colombian legation here and
the departure Of Colombia's representa-
tives for home. 1t is clear that they do
not entertain very much hope of a salts
factory response by this government.
Already most of the legation files have
been packed and arrangements completed
for placing them in storage here. Gen.
Heyes for several days has denied him
self to callers
1t is believed that while the reply Of
Mr.. Hay has not been made, sufficient
information has been obtained by the
Colombian representatives in the inter
views they have had with the secretary
to enable them to forecast it's conclu-
sions. The preparations going on for
closing up the affairs of the legation
would seem to indicate that Mr.. Reyes
and DIR. Herran are awaiting ONLY as q
matter Of form and diplomatic courtesy,
the official communication Of Mr. Hay
setting forth the reasons why this gov
eminent cannot accept their view of the
Panama situation, before severing diplo-
matte rela tons with the United States.
Commander Francis g. Delano Of the
Nashville, who rendered conspicuous
service at Colon at the time Ct the recent
revolution in Panama, has been promoted
to the rank of captain.