Evening times-Republican., 1903-11-13
TROOPS FOR S|HMUS
United States Government, it
Is Said, Have Determined
to Protect Panama
READY FOR SUCH MOVEMENT
United States Could Soon Land 10000
Soldiers in Central America-Not
Unlikely That a Permanent Amer-
can Garrison Will Be Established in
Panama-other News.
READY FOR SUCH MOVEMENT

Washington, Nov. 13.-Plans for
sending troops to the 1sthmus of Pam
anna to protect the sovereignty OF the
Iisthmus in case of any Interference by
Colombia or any foreign power are
contemplated today at the war de-
| partment. 1t was learned last night
| that orders have been issued to the
different staff Departments OF the
! army to have supplies and equipment
ready at a moments notice for six
! hattalions of troops. of four compan-
les each. TO be commanded by Brig
adler General Thomas II. Barry. for
merry adjutant general of the de-
partment of the east. This expedition
| would give total strength of abou;
1000 men.
Reports received yesterday by the
general staff show that everything Is
| in readiness for an immediate move
ment of this kind. with the exception
of the necessary transports. The
Fitzpatrick and Mcclellan, now in New
York, are being made ready TO carry
troops. and Information received at the
war department last evening is that
they can be ready in four or five Gays.
The transport Sumner is expected to
reach New York in few days and
can also be made ready should her SER
vices be required.
1t was said by officers of the ce-
partment that. while there seemed to
be no immediate need OF troops on the
isthmus. it was the intention to be pre-
pared for any emergency that might
arise, and that the present activity In
army quarters was due entirely to a
desire to be prepared. While the Of
ficials would not concede they looked
for any foreign interference on the
isthmus. 1t was also learned that or
ders have gone forth 10 military de-
partment commanders to get their
troops in shape to be called out at a
moments notice.
So far as could be learned last night
the selection of organizations which Il
10 Intended to send to the isthmus IN
case Of trouble has not yet been made,
but Major General Corbin. commanding
the department of the east, has as
sured the war department that he has
everything In readiness for the en-
harkation of troops in twenty four
hours should the emergency appear.
Other reports received from depart
ment commanders indicate that within
a few days something like 10000 men
could be In readiness for service. II
was declared, however. that unless
there are indications of serious trouble
on the isthmus, such as would be
caused by declaration of war by Col
orubia, or the interference of some out
side nation, no further orders would be
issued.
With the recognition today by the
United States government of the re-
public of Panama as government de
jure. instead of a government de facto,
the Cnited States will be asked to as
sumo entire charge of the military re-
sponsibilities of the new nation under
the treaty of New Granada. by the
terms of which the United States guar
antees the sovereignty of the isthmus
OF Panama.
It was said last night that the repub-
lie Of Panama will expect the United
States to protect Its sovereignty against
any power that may seek to dispute Il
even against the government OF Col
ombia According to representatives OF
the Panama government. the obliga-
tions imposed on the United States by
the treaty made in 1S46 with New
Granada are such as to require this
government to take entire control OF
the protection of the isthmus and, by
force OF arms, guarantee it's sovereignty
against any foreign state.
This obligation, it was explained, has
been fully agreed to by the officials
of the United States. and the question
of sending permanent garrisons of
troops to the lsthmus OF Panama TO
relieve the marines when the present
storm blows over has been considered
by the general staff Of the army. The |
officials of the war department will not |
admit that the subject OF military con-
troll of the isthmus has been considered |
Secretary Root denied positively that |
he had at any time thought OF sending |
soldiers to the isthmus and at the |
state department it was explained that |
they had not called upon the war de-
partment for any such action. Of
fcers of the general staff considered |
the proposition several days ago, and |
the same subject was up at meet
ing yesterday of the joint army and
navy board, to which all problems re
luiring combined military action are
sent by the secretary of the navy and
the secretary OF war.
NJ Bunau- Varilla, who will be re-
eeived today as the representative OF
the republic of Panama, said last night
that he understood that the United
States had obligated itself in the treaty
of New Granada fully TO protect the
Of the isthmus of Panama,
and, SO far as the republic was con-
it would look to this country
% meet those obligations and would
make no special effort in the direction
If building fortifications or organic
ng a navy.
He insisted that the United States
lad agreed in the treaty of 1886 to
guarantee the sovereignty being made
o the sovereign power of the territory
which, at the present time. is vested
n the people of the new republic.
CANNON uPHoLps PARTY RULE.