Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-12-17
MARINES ON THE WATCH
Indications Of Guerrilla Warfare on the
Is'hmus.
REPORT MADE BY NAVAL EXPEDITION.
A Company Of Marises Dispatched to a Point
on the Coast South d Panama Reports
That Colombian Troops Landed 10 That
V:claltv With the Object Of Marching On Pan.
ama-Adm'rai Coghiaa's Official Report

Colon (By Cable A company of ma
rines from the United States steamer
Prairie was landed here under the COM
mand of Capt. Smedlcy ID. Butler, and
.ntrained for Panama, whence the ma
rines will be sent to point on the coast
south of Panama. This step was in con-
sequence OF the receipt of information
that Colombian troops had landed in that
direction, with the object of marching
On Panama
Ii this is confirmed it will mean the
beginning of long campaign Of guerilla
warfare on the isthmus. The destination
Of the marines is said to be iaviza, up
,he San Miguel Cult and Tuira river
he opinion seems to prevail that the
few Colombian soldiers seen were prob
ably scouts, who were cndcavoring to
learn what preventive and protective
measures were being taken by the Repub
lie of Panama, and that it was their pres
.nce which gave rise to the exaggerated
rumors of speedy attack by Colombians
Oh the isthmus.
1t is more likely that the movement of
marines to Gavlza is i'll conformity with
the policy Of the naval authorities to con-
centrate forces at points which offer the
best facilities for getting immediate i'll
formation of any movement by Colon
bian troops towards Panama, and at the
same time of aftordng the marines some
relief from their confinement to the ships
The marines carried with them all re-
quislteS for camp life, and also 4 number
oi machine guns.
Washington tSpecial) - The Navy
Department received two cablegramS
from Admiral Coghlan. both dated Co
lon, the 18th, as follows.
"Mayhowcr reports Cartagcna and
Pin2on were at 'lurfo. with 400 to 800
men Took in some supplies. Sailed 9th
and supposed to have landed the troops
at Candi Atlanta. however. was at
Candi 9th and got opposite information,
and United States consul Cartagcna re-
ports Cartagena returned there 9th; no
doubt the vessels and troops were at
Iurbo the Sth that information reliable
Atlanta returns to Gulf for further
search
The second dispatch reads:
Atlanta arrived Started San Bias
Point to Port Candi, not having seen
or heard anything of troops or vessels.
communicated with shore at the prin-
cipal points. Indians susq,cin"b -.
strangers. Found trails San BIAS fo'ht
to porto Belo paSahlc for small partc',
but none leading inland. Atlanta leaves
to cruise to Cape Tibnron and Gulf OF
Daricn.'
The news Of tho movement OF marines
southwark from Panama, based as It was
on the reported landing of Colombian
trooIs in that part of the lsthmus, was
received with keen interest in army cir
cles, where there has been exhibited Tor
sometime desire to participate with the
Navy III any military movements on the
isthmus. The General Staff gave the
subject immediate attention. There was,
however 10 outcome in the shape of or
ders to troops. though the arrival here
of Brigadier General J. Franklin Bell,
superintendent of the General Staff Col
lege at Leavenworth. was regarded as
confirming the previous statements to the
effect that the Army is making ready to
do it's share at a moments notice. Cen
eral Bell was in consultation with some
of the members Of the General S.aH
during the afternoon.