Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-17

tance above the sea level and 1t Is hoped
the men will be free from tropical illness
there. The Dixie's battalion of marines has
encamped at Empire. an elevated spot not
far from Panama. Care will be taken that
all the American forces on the isthmus shall
drink only distilled water and the Prairie
will be kept nearby for the purpose OF dis
tilling an adequate supply.
Brigadier General George e. Elliott, COM
mandant of the Marine Corps, may be or
dered to the isthrnus to make reconnois-
sance Of the country. and should the situa-
ton demand to assume command of the
marine forces there. The matter has not yet
been decided but it Is said by high official
of the Navy Department that the subject is
receiving serious consideration. If General
Elliott is ordered to the isthmus he will
probably go south on the Dixie, which sails
from Colon today for Philadelphia to bring
back the new battalion of marines which
Is to be known as the Caribbean Sea Dtvis-
ion. The decision to send General Elliott
will depend largely on the progress OF
events.
cablegram received from Rear Admiral
Glass today said that the situation on both
sides Of the isthmus was quiet and satis-
factory. No further rumors Of Colombian
troops moving on Panama have been re-
ported. and the officials here are OF the
opinion that the suggestions Of General
Rafael Reyes. the Colombian envoy mere.
have prevailed and that hostilities will not
be resorted to pending the completion Of his
mission.
Courtesy to Gen. Reyes.
It In said at the Navy Department that
the question of placing a warship at the
disposal Of Gen. Rafael Reyes, the Colom-
bian special envoy, to convey him home
when he shall have completed his mission
had not yet been taken up by the State or
Navy Departments. The Navy Department
is prepared to respond promptly in case the
State Department decides to offer Gen.
Reyes the courtesy. 1t seems to be taken
for granted that he will return to Colombia
in a short time.
Secretary Moody has instructed Rear Ad-
miral Coghlan to send a war vessel to Car
tagena to bring United States Minister
Beaupre to Colon, the minister having de-
cided to avail himself Of the leave OF alb
sence granted him some time ago.
The Olympia Sails for Colon.
The cruiser Olympia, flagship Of Rear
Admiral Coghlan. commanding the Carfb'
bean squadron, left Norfolk this morning
for Colon.
The cruiser Dixie left Colon this morning
for Philadelphia to take on board the bat
talon of marines being assembled at that
city for service on the isthmus.
Rear Admiral Barker reports to the Navy
Department today the arrival at Culebra
of the battle ships Kearsarge, Alabama,
Massachusetts and Illinois.
Word has been received at the Navy De-
partment of the arrival at Honolulu of the
battle ships Kentucky, Wisconsin and Ore
gon and the cruisers New Orleans, Albany,
Cincinnati, Raleigh Nanshan and Pompey.
The battle ships left Yokohama on the 9th
instant, two days behind the cruiser squad
ron, and made good progress on the voyage.
It is not known how long the fleet will re-
main at Honolulu. but in view of the possi-
blities of trouble on the Isthmus of Pana-
ma 1t is not believed that the vessels under
Admiral Evans command will be fastened
back to the Chinese station.
The cruisers Minneapolis. Yankee ana To-
peka and the training ship Hartford have
arrived at New Orleans to take part In the
Louisiana purchase celebration.
The battle ship Maine has arrived at
Tompkinsville. the Solace at San Francisco,
the Hannibal at Hampton Roads and. the
Terror at Norfolk. The Monterey left Hong
Kong yesterday for Canton and the Cleve-
land has left Portsmouth. N. H, for New
York.