The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-15
United States Has Determined There
Shall BE No Fighting Anywhere
in the New Republic.
AN ATTACK NOT PROBABLE
NO ARMY CAN WELL MARCH FROM
BOGOTA TO THE IsTHMUs.
Too Many Toposraphical Obstacles to
Overcome-AttitudeO Of the Admin
istration Made Clear.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE State De-
partment has no knowledge Of the march
ing of any army from Colombia upon the
isthmus and the officials state that were
any such movement in progress 1t would
certainly be informed by its agents in the
south, the cables being still open. These
officials scout the idea that any such march
is in progress as the President OF Colombia
is reported to have described to the Pres
ident of Ecuador. 1t is assumed here that
the army said to be marching on Panama
was nothing more than the few men. per-
haps 500 all told, who were about to embark
at Buena Ventura a few days ago when
by notice of the determination of the United
States naval commanders to allow no land
ings in that quarter. These troops cannot
reach the isthmas by water and the off,
cials here are positive they cannot do SO by
land The character Of the country Is such
that there is no subsistence for an army
on the route of the wild mountain trails
and the passages through the morasses that
lie between Colombia proper and the 18TH
mus. Even If there were subsistence, the
trails are so rough that it would require
many weeks or even months for even a
SIIluH army 70 MAKE the journey.
But there are more than physical OBJ
stacles in the way of the approach of an
army upon Panama The officials do not
care to express publicly their plans, but
enough has been CLEANED from the instruc-
tions given to our naval commanders to
make it evident that never again will the
isthmus become the seat of warfare so long
as the United States government can pre-
vent it. The difference between the present
situation on the isthmus and that which ex-
listed last year, when Commander Mclean
prevented armed troops from crossing the
isthmus by rail. is just this: The authori-
ties have now determined to extend the
lines of protection to the railroad. They
whether they are Colombian or Panama
troops, to come into collision anywhere
near the railroad. and to prevent such COLI
sions 1t will be necessary to extend the
neutral zone clear to the north and south
boundaries of the Republic of Panama.
Officials here will not make such a state
ment publicly. They simply say: wait till
the emergency arises" but 1t is known that
such were the plans of the naval COM
manders, and. as there is no indication of a
change in these plans, not the slightest ap-
prehension is felt here OF the encroachment
of any Colombian army upon Panama. The
United States now has about 1000 marines
available for use on the isthmus.
NAVY DEPARTMENT ADvICEs.
the only news received over night from the
Isthmus of Panama a brief dispatch
from Rear Admiral Glass announcing the
arrival at Panama yesterday of the moni-
tor Wyoming. That vessel left Acapulco
in company with the cruiser Marblehead and
the gunboat Concord. but was not able to
keep pace with them and so they parted
company. The other vessels arrived at
Panama several days ago. There are now
seven vessels guarding the interests of the
United States on the Isthmus of Panama
OF these four are on the Pacific side the
cruisers Boston and Marblehead. the gum
boat Concord and monitor Wyoming. So
far as known no other naval vessels except
possibly collers supply ships will be
sent to the west shore of the isthmus for
the present.
On the Atlantic, or east side of the 18TH
mus, are the cruiser Atlanta, the gunboat
Nashville and the training ship Dixie. This
fleet will be reinforced in a day or two by
the battleship Maine and the President 5
yacht Mayfiower. Rear Admiral Coghlan
commanding the Caribbean squadron. Rear
Admiral Walker. president OF the Isthmian
Canal Commission and Consul General
Gudger. who, IL is expected, will be given
diplomatic powers at Colon, are passengers
on the Mayhower. That vessel is expected
10 reach her destination tomorrow or
Monday and the Maine should arrive there
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5. COL ~