Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-09
upon as about as far as the minority will
go in the way of opposition.
A GORDON OF WARsHIPs.
Naval Forces That May Be Massed Off
the Isthmus

Owing to the foresight and prompt action
of the Navy Department the United States
has established Gordon of warshipS
around both coasts of the new republic of
Panama. This action is generally accepted
as an indication of the purpose of the ad-
ministration to prevent any foreign gov
eminent from interfering with the estab
lishment of the new republic policy said
to be natural outcome of it's treaty obli-
cations to maintain the free transit Of the
isthmian highway.
The cruiser Boston arrived at Panama
Saturday, and will be shortly reinforced at
that point by the Marblehead, Wyoming
and Bennington of the Pacific squadron,
now on their way there from Acapulco.
Commander Diehl of the Boston has notI
fled the Navy Department of the receipt
of its instructions to keep open the transit
of the isthmus. He reported that up to the
time of writing no attempt had been made
to interfere with the isthmian traffic.
AS stated in Saturdays Star. the big new
battle ship Maine has been ordered to
Colon, and that vessel started for that port
today from Hampton Roads. 1t is expected
that Admiral Dewey's old flagship 'Oiym-
pia, undergoing repairs at Norfolk. and the
cruiser Baltimore at Puerto Plata, San
Domingo, will also be ordered to augment
the already formidable squadron of Amcri-
timore has been ordered to San Juan to
take on coal. presumably for service at
Colon. The gunboat Newport, at Swan
nah has been ordered to proceed at once
American interests. i'm order to permit the
transfer of the Baltimore to isthmian
service.
The training ship Prairie which is I'M
der orders to take a battalion of marines
to Guantanamo. will probably leave the
League Island navy yard tomorrow, and
in case of necessity will be sent to join
the squadron at Colon. Orders have been
isued detaching her from the training
squadron. Included in the marine bat
talon on the Prairie is detachment of
three officers and 1913 enlisted men, organ
lied In this city. This detachment Is COM
manded by Capt. Wynne and First Lieut..
II. ]. HirShinger and Second Lieut.. &. Nj.
Kincade. The training ship Yankee. at
League Island Is also being made ready
for sea, and that vessel may also carry
marines to the isthmus
That there shall be no lack of coal for
the fleet in isthmian waters two GOLFERS
have already started for that quarter. The
Hannibal left Guantanamo yesterday for
Colon, and the Marcellus has left Lambert 3
Point for Guantanamo. which will undoubt-
eddy be the base of supplies for operations
In those waters. Similar provision has been
made for coalirg the fleet on the Pacific
coast.
Ten ships are now in isthmian waters.
on their way under orders to go there
These carry compliments of about $500
bluejackets.
The Navy Department has ordered that
all the vessels now being repaired In the
various navy yards shall be ready for sail
ing November 25. five days earlier than the
date originally set.
Rush work has also been ordered on sew
eral of the ships that are to take part in
the maneuvers in the West Indies in De-
cember. These maneuverS will bring to-
gether in the neighborhood of the isthmus
all the ships of the Atlantic and Caribbean
squadrons. as well as those of the European
and South Atlantic squadrons.
In the Marine Corps the greatest activity
Is being displayed in getting things in
shape to respond to additional calls that
may be made for marines to go to the
lsthmus of Panama Orders have been is
sued TO all the marine barracks on the At
lantic and gulf coasts for the marines to
hold themselves in readiness to get under
way on short notice, and If the situation in
Panama becomes worse the Marine Corps
Will be ready to respond to meet any emer-
gency that may arise.