New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-12
ARMY MAKING PLANS.
Possibility of Sending Guards to
Panama and Bogota.
rrRoM THE TRIBUNE punEAu.l

Washington Nov 1.-THE General Staff OF
the army has been considering to-day the posi-
bic necessity Of sending troops TO the isthmus
While this is not regarded probable, ii is APP
preciated that the necessity may arise as may
also that of sending force to Bogota to protect
the American Legation there. 1t is the opinion
of the naval authorities that a guard along the
line Of the Panama Railway will be required TOT
a considerable time and that 1t would not be sur
prising II it became necessary to establish gar
risons at Panama and Colon. TO be continued
possibly while the canal is under construction
The opinion Of officials is that the treaty about
10 be negotiated will provide for fortiheo
canal and that garrisons at either END or the
canal zone VIII be provided for. II 1t becomes
necessary TO send troops TO the isthmus they
will probably be drawn from New-York ana the
Pacific coast The Fitzpatrick. now at New
York was TO have sailed on December L. put the
orders have been delayed, and IL sent TO the
isthmus she will probably take Troops A. p. c.
d. and from Fort Ethan Allen. and Troops
E. F. G. and III from Fort Myer. although 1t LIS
possfble that she would take infantry, in which
case the LIST REGIMENT stationed at Fort Porter
and the 9Th. at Plattsburg Barracks: the otn. at
Forts Columbus, Niagara and Wood; the sth at
Fort Niagara and Madison barracks. ana the
10th. at Fort Slocum. would be chosen.
There is no thought Of invading Colombia. save
IN tho event that II becomes necessary to send
a rescuing party for Minister Beaupre. but the
conditions are being carefully considered Win
that end in view. With the Fitzpatrick and the
Mcclellan now at New-York, and the Sumner
expected to arrive about November p. the trans
port facilities available at that port would &C
cournodate not less than 1000 men,
Aside from the dispatch from Minister
raaunrk saving that great excitement pre-
vailed In Rogota no important news bearing on
conditions on the isthmus or in Colombia was
received at the State Department to-day. An
Interesting rImor was i'm circulation, however
to the effect that the European creditors OF
Colombia were likely TO attempt to hold the
United States responsible for the deprecated
vaIue of their security as result of the ran
anna revolution.
In sunport Of this theory it is pointed out that
the Colombian loan, most Of which is held In
Great Britain, amounts to S14,OoOOoo and the
deferred interest to $4,000. while the most
available asset Of Colombia was the Panama
Canal route Moreover, IL is said that con-
siderable portion of the s1Ooooooo which the
United States proposed to pay for the canal
franchise would have been applied to the ma
tional debt and the annual rental Of S25oDOoo
would have gone a considerable way toward
having the interest on the remaining Indebted
ness Another feature Of to-days gossip was TO
the effect that the European powers. in view OF
Coloubia's bankrupt condition. might apply to
the United States for permission to seize Colon
bian custom houses with view to protecting
their creditor citizens.
No great alarm is felt by the officials on either
Of the scores named. however. 1t is pointed Out
that It would be impossible to hold the United
States responsible for revolution in which she
was in no way concerned. but, on the other
hand, the nations might have easily held this
country responsible had 1t been derelict IN It's
duty 10 protect the French owners of the Fan
anna Railway or TO maintain, uninterrupted py
hostilities. the highway between the seas.
With reference TO the suggestion that DredI
Britain and other creditor nations may ask per
mission to seize custom houses, IL is recalled
that the drastic action an the case OF Nehe%ueIa
rs The result of much more exasperating con-
ditions than those prevailing in Colombia ana
was taken only as a last resort